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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > DIY Guides > E91 Hitch Install



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      04-22-2007, 02:39 PM   #1
mp3_e46
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E91 Hitch Install

This install was easy, there is no need to remove the bumper skin .

You will need Curt Hitch 11771 which is (currently) only listed for a 2006 E91 325xi. I guessed it would fit a RWD 328i and it did Today the best deal for the hitch is $179 from http://www.etrailer.com/

This is how it looks when installed:



Installation is very simple:
. the bumper skin DOES NOT need to be removed
. undo the screw underneath of the bumper skin using an 8mm spanner
. remove a few plastic pieces under the car
. unbolt the bumper in two places using an 18mm spanner (behind the skin)
. put spacers on the bumper bolts (4 washer for each bolt)
. lift the hitch into place
. bolt the bumper and hitch (need an 18mm spanner and this is a little awkward, but once you figure it out it it easy)
. attach the hitch to the A-Frame
. double check all bolts are tight
. re-affix all the plastics bits and bumper skin. You will have to use a dremel on the piece of plastic that the bumper skin attached too (see picture below) - use safety specs in case (when) the dremel blade shatters
- Oh try not bang your nose on the hitch when underneath - I did that twice and it smarts



You won't need them, but click here for a raw dump of the photos.

Also the official installation instructions are attached - they are even more brief than mine

Also here are the towing specs from a UK manual:

Attached Images
File Type: pdf Curt_11771-instructions.pdf (150.8 KB, 3366 views)

Last edited by mp3_e46; 06-19-2007 at 06:11 AM.. Reason: Typos
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      04-25-2007, 11:11 AM   #2
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Very nice writeup!

Me and my bro installed a hidden hitch (not a drawtite brand) on my mother's 2000 caddy Deville and the aluminum bumper inside the cover had to be bolted lose in order to get the hitch to slide into place then tightened back down.
All you could see is a 2" wide by 1/2" square opening. Just install the tounge with the hitch ball on it, put the pin in from the top under the bumper and put the clip pin on.
Ever since I towed a 2002 GTX-DI jetski with it, I got limo drivers and taxicabs opening their windows and looking at the hitch point like how it's installed.

Anyways I would like to put a hitch on my '07 328xi but I only see listings for the X3 and X5. Do you know where I can get one for my car?

The jetski blue is the same color as the montego blue and it would look like a perfect combo.
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      04-25-2007, 01:18 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 777ER View Post
Very nice writeup!

Me and my bro installed a hidden hitch (not a drawtite brand) on my mother's 2000 caddy Deville and the aluminum bumper inside the cover had to be bolted lose in order to get the hitch to slide into place then tightened back down.
All you could see is a 2" wide by 1/2" square opening. Just install the tounge with the hitch ball on it, put the pin in from the top under the bumper and put the clip pin on.
Ever since I towed a 2002 GTX-DI jetski with it, I got limo drivers and taxicabs opening their windows and looking at the hitch point like how it's installed.

Anyways I would like to put a hitch on my '07 328xi but I only see listings for the X3 and X5. Do you know where I can get one for my car?

The jetski blue is the same color as the montego blue and it would look like a perfect combo.
Probably the same hitch for your 328.
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      04-25-2007, 01:28 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaws View Post
Probably the same hitch for your 328.
Curt Hitch 11771 for a 2006 E91 325xi should fit?
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      04-26-2007, 11:19 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 777ER View Post
Curt Hitch 11771 for a 2006 E91 325xi should fit?
Absolutely. It's the same car.
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      04-26-2007, 12:29 PM   #6
mp3_e46
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Talking of Jet Skis this guy put a UK towbar an American E92 (coupe):

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...d=1#post901824
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      04-26-2007, 12:30 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaws View Post
Absolutely. It's the same car.
+1, the '07 328 just has 15 more hp - everything else is the same
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      04-27-2007, 11:37 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 777ER View Post
Very nice writeup!
Thanks, hey can you post pics of your car? That colour on an E91 is very interesting.
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      05-20-2007, 12:09 AM   #9
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Thanks for the write-up on the hitch install!

Took the plunge and installed the same hitch on my 328xit. Went smoothly thanks to the great instructions here! Many thanks!!!!!!!
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      05-20-2007, 12:28 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wagonmaster View Post
Took the plunge and installed the same hitch on my 328xit. Went smoothly thanks to the great instructions here! Many thanks!!!!!!!
Glad to help
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      06-19-2007, 10:34 PM   #11
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Is it safe to assume this won't fit a 335 because of the dual exhaust?
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      06-20-2007, 08:17 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebug View Post
Is it safe to assume this won't fit a 335 because of the dual exhaust?
Probably it will just be more awkward - you may have to drop the exhaust a little. The company I bought the hitch from let me return it if it did not fit my car. Post back if you fit one to a 335i.
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      07-25-2007, 11:23 AM   #13
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Both the original post and the newer 328 XIT pic are excellent MECHANCALLY. But, does anyone have experience with the electrical hook-up details? I had some trouble with this part on my VW GTI VR6, so want to be very careful this time around on my new 328 XIT ;-)
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      07-25-2007, 11:40 AM   #14
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I used an adapter and wiring kit:

18146 ModuLite
18151 ModuLite Wiring Kit

Google for sources. About $40-50 for both. It powers the trailer lights independently from the car through relays, and also converts the split turn/stop to the combined turn/stop for the 4-wire trailer wiring.

I followed directions, running the fat wire from the battery over to the left rear taillight area, where I mounted the unit using double sided tape. I removed both inner fender liners to do the job (in an E90).

Works like a champ.
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      07-25-2007, 09:00 PM   #15
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Garage List
Is there any reason this hitch wouldn't work on an E90? Are the undercarriages different on the wagon v the sedan?
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      07-25-2007, 09:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tturedraider View Post
Is there any reason this hitch wouldn't work on an E90? Are the undercarriages different on the wagon v the sedan?
Apparently it fits the sedan too, someone posted so on another Forum. The hitch sellers normally let you return it if it does not fit.
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      10-30-2007, 05:25 AM   #17
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Bringin back from the dead - anyone try this with a coupe?
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      10-30-2007, 08:57 AM   #18
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If you look up the OEM parts diagram for the E90 on realoem.com you will see it has a 2 piece hitch. I noticed there's a connector and a module hooked up to the bar side and it looks like a electromechanical lock/unlock for the hitch. Prob hooks up to a button in the car and can unlock the hitch to remove it from the car?

It also has a module that plugs in the car for the trailer lights and wiring. I priced everything and it comes out to $500 for the setup..
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      11-02-2007, 01:15 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 777ER View Post
If you look up the OEM parts diagram for the E90 on realoem.com you will see it has a 2 piece hitch. I noticed there's a connector and a module hooked up to the bar side and it looks like a electromechanical lock/unlock for the hitch. Prob hooks up to a button in the car and can unlock the hitch to remove it from the car?

It also has a module that plugs in the car for the trailer lights and wiring. I priced everything and it comes out to $500 for the setup..
Cool. Keep us updated if you buy the parts.
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      12-31-2007, 07:35 AM   #20
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the Curt Hitch 11771 does not fit on the 2008 e90. I purchased the hitch having looked underneath a 2007 e90 earlier in the year. The rear suspension crossbar were the hitch mounting strap attaches does not go straight across as in the 2006 e91. Therefore there is no place to attach it to the suspension crossbar. I did not want to have someone try to fabricate a piece or go without the hitch mounting strap. I'm a little bummed as I wanted to try to go without a roof rack for my bikes.
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      02-25-2008, 06:23 PM   #21
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I have an 08 328xi sports wagon and I just installed Curt Hitch 11771 on my car. It required a little modification. To hang the hitch itself onto the four support studs I had to dremel out the driver side upper ovalized bolt hole so that it didn't have the spiky metal tabs inside the hole. I also made the lower hole just a little wider. Then I had to ovalize the hole in the hitch strap (the one that connects to the A frame) so it is about 3/8" longer (toward the front of the car) than it currently is. A drill press with a vise is very useful here as the strap is 3/8" thick and heavy. I only intend to use this for a bike rack but it seemed to be very solid with these mods. The top bolt on the exhaust side is a bitch to get on. I got a 18mm compact ratchet wrench instead of a 18mm box/combo wrench. It was a few bucks more but really saved me time. The BMW factory bolt on the A frame that you have to remove before installing the strap isn't going to come off easily. Get a long pipe and put it on your wrench handle for leverage. The included replacement bolt isn't an 18mm bolt. It is an M12 bolt. So you'll have to get wrench for that or use an adjustable or something. When positioning the hitch itself on the 4 mounting studs be careful not to mung up the threads or you'll be bumming. Have fun!

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      04-10-2009, 05:26 AM   #22
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Definitely bringing this thread back from the dead...

Does anyone know if the Curt kit will work with a 2006 E90 330xi? The Curt Manufacturing website is not accurate and lists that the 11771 kit will fit only a E90 325xi and a E91 328xi (which AFAIK didn't exist in 2006).

Thanks in advance!
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