E93 Bicycle Carrier

Convrtible · 06-01-2009, 04:06 PM

When I picked up my '08 E93 at BMW Welt in Munich, there as another E93 on the floor with a bicycle carrier mounted from a hitch under the rear bumper. My BMW dealer, with whom I am pleased, tells me that it is not available for U.S. E93's. It's also not shown on the BMW accessories web site. Any suggestions?

200Duece · 06-01-2009, 04:45 PM

Ebay AG

Kilgore Trout · 06-01-2009, 04:46 PM

You can get an aftermarket hitch that fits the E93 with no drilling or cutting at bavarian autosports. Install that, and then just get the bike carrier of your choice.

quantuz · 11-19-2009, 03:42 PM

Hi All,

I switched my e90 to e93 late this summer. I'm an avid cyclist and nothing more fun is to take the convertible to those cycling locations. Anyways, Valley Hitch had manufactured a hitch for the E90/E92/E93 and I had it ordered.

When it arrived, my hitch shop tried for a good half day to mount it to my car's undercarriage. No Luck. Things were a good 1" off this way and 1/2" off that way. The E93 undercarriage is quite different with multiple angles that don't fit. Despite the printed instructions that came with the hitch clearly said E90/E92/E93, this did not fit. Valley was contacted, the hitch returned and I was told they went back to redesign and remanufacture.

Well... it's November, I got a call from my Hitch store today and it seems, they have successfully remanufactured it.

I'm going to wait until the spring to get it put on (no point to have a hitch in the winter) but its a more traditional receiver set up (not a drop down) which better fits hitch mounted bike racks versus a drop down and trying to figure how to mount a North American hitch bike rack.

Their site http://www.valley.us.com/ApplicationLookup.aspx does NOT list this application or the E90/E92 application

The part number I was referenced was #81820 however, that part number may now be changed with their redesign.

Hope this helps. I'll give you an update when the snow disappears and I can use the hitch for a bike.

BMWDAD · 11-19-2009, 08:41 PM

How about this? http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/unliplmobica.html

Maybe not good for a heavy mt. bike, but for a lite road bike looks worth looking into.

payneps · 11-20-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quantuz

Hi All,

I switched my e90 to e93 late this summer. I'm an avid cyclist and nothing more fun is to take the convertible to those cycling locations. Anyways, Valley Hitch had manufactured a hitch for the E90/E92/E93 and I had it ordered.

When it arrived, my hitch shop tried for a good half day to mount it to my car's undercarriage. No Luck. Things were a good 1" off this way and 1/2" off that way. The E93 undercarriage is quite different with multiple angles that don't fit. Despite the printed instructions that came with the hitch clearly said E90/E92/E93, this did not fit. Valley was contacted, the hitch returned and I was told they went back to redesign and remanufacture.

Well... it's November, I got a call from my Hitch store today and it seems, they have successfully remanufactured it.

I'm going to wait until the spring to get it put on (no point to have a hitch in the winter) but its a more traditional receiver set up (not a drop down) which better fits hitch mounted bike racks versus a drop down and trying to figure how to mount a North American hitch bike rack.

Their site http://www.valley.us.com/ApplicationLookup.aspx does NOT list this application or the E90/E92 application

The part number I was referenced was #81820 however, that part number may now be changed with their redesign.

Hope this helps. I'll give you an update when the snow disappears and I can use the hitch for a bike.

I ordered the same part number, about a month ago, but have not had time to try it. i noticed the same E90/....E93, so I thought I'd give it a shot. If you get an updated part number, PM me, were in the same boat. I'll do the same.

Moonbat · 11-22-2009, 01:38 PM

Just picked up the same 81820 for a 2010 e93 and it fits fine. Not perfectly... vehicle frame rails are maybe a quarter to a half inch further apart than the hitch side plates. So instead of being bolted in from the bottom as well as being a snug side-to-side fit, it needs spacers if one is paranoid about a solid fit. Maybe Valley had to do that since some frames were narrower than others.

C62335i · 01-01-2010, 02:42 AM

I wasn't able to find p/n 81820 at http://www.valley.us.com/ApplicationLookup.aspx. Please help me locate this part. How much?

koduria · 05-26-2010, 02:21 PM

Hi, I am also an avid cyclist. I read the above thread and I believe Valley has updated their hitch to part no. 81821. Has anyone order this part and have comments on the fit? Thanks, Ajay

jaguar36 · 05-26-2010, 02:43 PM

I too am looking at the Valley hitches and was wondering what the difference between 81820 and 81821, as etrailer seems to have both. Anyone know?

koduria · 05-29-2010, 07:56 PM

I believe 81821 is for the convertible.

Quasimodem · 05-29-2010, 08:29 PM

There is a sweet bicycle carrier (with taillights, brake lights, oil slick dispenser etc...), available in europe, which is designed to fit the integrated towbar also available in Europe (possibly the ball is a metric one which might have trouble with some standard US trailers, I don't know). Anyway, I wouldn't want somebody mucking around my gas tank with a torch, so I researched the tow bar option, since this, I had to wipe my harddrive and lost all the links I had. Anyway, here are my conclusions:

The integrated towbar appears to be welded on to the rear bumper, so the only way to get an OEM setup to the US would be to ship a full bumper, or stick it in your carry on bagage (maybe if you put it in a rifle case security won't notice). Then there would be all the bits and pieces to install the remote button that drops it from behind the bumper so you can swivel it around and lock it in, and the electrics. Seems that it could be done.

koduria · 06-02-2010, 10:50 AM

I am going to have the 81821 Valley hitch put on my car soon. I'll let you know how it turns out.

m@rco · 06-03-2010, 06:52 AM

If I remember correctly, I had a removable/retractable hitch installed from Bosal on my E87. I used it for carrying a bicycle rack, pulling a 1600lb boat trailer, and pulling 2 large motorcycles on a trailer of the alps ~1800lb. Perfect design with no issues. Not sure if they ship to the US. The hitch can be installed by yourself (no welding) and is invisible if you remove it. I believe that Holland has the most installed hitches per capita (and almost 2 times as many bicycles as inhabitants...) so you might want to check what can be shipped from there.

koduria · 06-19-2010, 09:19 PM

Hi, I got the Valley 81821 hitch for my 335i convertible and have attached some pictures of the set up. Without the adapter, the hitch is not visible. It is truly the stealth hitch.

I put an adapter on it and a Thule Helium bike rack and, with these, I can still put the top down.

Some more pics to follow.

Cheers.

Happy riding and motoring.

koduria · 06-19-2010, 09:21 PM

Some more pics of just the hitch. You can't see it from the outside. The installers did a good job. I think you can see me sitting down and taking a picture in the reflection off of the bumper in the second picture. Ha!

quantuz · 06-19-2010, 10:38 PM

Since this post, I got the new part number installed in April. Other than a install problem, which made my E93 sound like a bad mattress, it was fixed and I've logged over a 800 miles with the a Thule Parkway rack on the back. The Valley hitch works great!

The photos more about the car ...

Happy biking!

Quote:

Originally Posted by quantuz

Hi All,

I switched my e90 to e93 late this summer. I'm an avid cyclist and nothing more fun is to take the convertible to those cycling locations. Anyways, Valley Hitch had manufactured a hitch for the E90/E92/E93 and I had it ordered.

When it arrived, my hitch shop tried for a good half day to mount it to my car's undercarriage. No Luck. Things were a good 1" off this way and 1/2" off that way. The E93 undercarriage is quite different with multiple angles that don't fit. Despite the printed instructions that came with the hitch clearly said E90/E92/E93, this did not fit. Valley was contacted, the hitch returned and I was told they went back to redesign and remanufacture.

Well... it's November, I got a call from my Hitch store today and it seems, they have successfully remanufactured it.

I'm going to wait until the spring to get it put on (no point to have a hitch in the winter) but its a more traditional receiver set up (not a drop down) which better fits hitch mounted bike racks versus a drop down and trying to figure how to mount a North American hitch bike rack.

Their site http://www.valley.us.com/ApplicationLookup.aspx does NOT list this application or the E90/E92 application

The part number I was referenced was #81820 however, that part number may now be changed with their redesign.

Hope this helps. I'll give you an update when the snow disappears and I can use the hitch for a bike.

Quasimodem · 06-21-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koduria

Hi, I got the Valley 81821 hitch for my 335i convertible and have attached some pictures of the set up. Without the adapter, the hitch is not visible. It is truly the stealth hitch.

I put an adapter on it and a Thule Helium bike rack and, with these, I can still put the top down.

Some more pics to follow.

Cheers.

Happy riding and motoring.

Well, that certainly beats:

http://www.bmw.fr/fr/fr/owners/acces...er/finder.html

Well that link doesn't work, but you can locate the bike rack by choosing Serie Berline/depuis 03/05/Transport et bagage/tous les prouits -- then go to the second page.

koduria · 06-22-2010, 10:22 AM

Does that French hitch attach to the trunk?

DragonNeo · 04-24-2011, 04:35 PM

Does this work on a M3 E93?

eddieb4 · 05-11-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koduria

Some more pics of just the hitch. You can't see it from the outside. The installers did a good job. I think you can see me sitting down and taking a picture in the reflection off of the bumper in the second picture. Ha!

Koduria,

Thanks for sharing your install with the valley hitch. Do you mind measuring the distance from the hole on the hitch to the back bumper? I am considering a Kuat NV bike rack and there needs to be 7 inches of clearance from the center of the hole to the back of the bumper in order for the rack to fold up. From the picture it looks like there is plenty of room however, I would appreciate confirmation. Regards, Ed

Z-PDX · 05-11-2011, 10:26 PM

Good info on the hitches. Nothing to add there.

On the bike rack thing, the racks listed are what are call "mast" style racks. They hang the bike by the top tube. This can damage the frame or the paint on the bike. Worse the bike can sway into the car.

I would assume that a BMW owner would also want a premium rack. The "tray" style fits that bill. The bike is only touched on the tire and it is held positively in place. No sway.

Below is an example of the Yakima HoldUp. Not my pic, not my car, but you get the idea. This style of bike mount is the BMW of car racks.

06-01-2009, 04:06 PM	#1
Convrtible New Member 5 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Convertible Join Date: May 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	E93 Bicycle Carrier When I picked up my '08 E93 at BMW Welt in Munich, there as another E93 on the floor with a bicycle carrier mounted from a hitch under the rear bumper. My BMW dealer, with whom I am pleased, tells me that it is not available for U.S. E93's. It's also not shown on the BMW accessories web site. Any suggestions?
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06-01-2009, 04:45 PM	#2
200Duece Colonel 45 Rep 2,575 Posts Drives: '73 2002,'18 X5 35d,'17 328d T Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: A Whale's Vagina, Ca iTrader: (5)	Ebay AG
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06-01-2009, 04:46 PM	#3
Kilgore Trout Chicks dig wagons! 43 Rep 1,375 Posts Drives: 2009 E91 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Where you can see through the people, but not the air (i.e., Los Angeles!) iTrader: (0)	You can get an aftermarket hitch that fits the E93 with no drilling or cutting at bavarian autosports. Install that, and then just get the bike carrier of your choice. __________________ E91 Montego Blue gray leather burl walnut , Idrive, PDC, Logic7, CA, Sirius, xenons, 6FL, ZPP, heated seats, 17" tires. 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
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11-19-2009, 03:42 PM	#4
quantuz zzz 1 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2009 e93 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	e93 hitch Hi All, I switched my e90 to e93 late this summer. I'm an avid cyclist and nothing more fun is to take the convertible to those cycling locations. Anyways, Valley Hitch had manufactured a hitch for the E90/E92/E93 and I had it ordered. When it arrived, my hitch shop tried for a good half day to mount it to my car's undercarriage. No Luck. Things were a good 1" off this way and 1/2" off that way. The E93 undercarriage is quite different with multiple angles that don't fit. Despite the printed instructions that came with the hitch clearly said E90/E92/E93, this did not fit. Valley was contacted, the hitch returned and I was told they went back to redesign and remanufacture. Well... it's November, I got a call from my Hitch store today and it seems, they have successfully remanufactured it. I'm going to wait until the spring to get it put on (no point to have a hitch in the winter) but its a more traditional receiver set up (not a drop down) which better fits hitch mounted bike racks versus a drop down and trying to figure how to mount a North American hitch bike rack. Their site http://www.valley.us.com/ApplicationLookup.aspx does NOT list this application or the E90/E92 application The part number I was referenced was #81820 however, that part number may now be changed with their redesign. Hope this helps. I'll give you an update when the snow disappears and I can use the hitch for a bike.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2009, 08:41 PM	#5
BMWDAD Captain 96 Rep 755 Posts Drives: 2017 Porsche Macan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Richmond, Va. iTrader: (0)	How about this? http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/unliplmobica.html Maybe not good for a heavy mt. bike, but for a lite road bike looks worth looking into.
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11-22-2009, 01:38 PM	#7
Moonbat Private 128 Rep 61 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	e93 hitch Just picked up the same 81820 for a 2010 e93 and it fits fine. Not perfectly... vehicle frame rails are maybe a quarter to a half inch further apart than the hitch side plates. So instead of being bolted in from the bottom as well as being a snug side-to-side fit, it needs spacers if one is paranoid about a solid fit. Maybe Valley had to do that since some frames were narrower than others.
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01-01-2010, 02:42 AM	#8
C62335i First Lieutenant 19 Rep 325 Posts Drives: 2008 335iCabrio Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sugar Land/Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	I wasn't able to find p/n 81820 at http://www.valley.us.com/ApplicationLookup.aspx. Please help me locate this part. How much?
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05-26-2010, 02:21 PM	#9
koduria New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (0)	Valley Hitch 81821 for E93 Hi, I am also an avid cyclist. I read the above thread and I believe Valley has updated their hitch to part no. 81821. Has anyone order this part and have comments on the fit? Thanks, Ajay
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2010, 02:43 PM	#10
jaguar36 Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ iTrader: (0)	I too am looking at the Valley hitches and was wondering what the difference between 81820 and 81821, as etrailer seems to have both. Anyone know?
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05-29-2010, 07:56 PM	#11
koduria New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (0)	I believe 81821 is for the convertible.
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05-29-2010, 08:29 PM	#12
Quasimodem Colonel 147 Rep 2,383 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335d US [0.00]	There is a sweet bicycle carrier (with taillights, brake lights, oil slick dispenser etc...), available in europe, which is designed to fit the integrated towbar also available in Europe (possibly the ball is a metric one which might have trouble with some standard US trailers, I don't know). Anyway, I wouldn't want somebody mucking around my gas tank with a torch, so I researched the tow bar option, since this, I had to wipe my harddrive and lost all the links I had. Anyway, here are my conclusions: The integrated towbar appears to be welded on to the rear bumper, so the only way to get an OEM setup to the US would be to ship a full bumper, or stick it in your carry on bagage (maybe if you put it in a rifle case security won't notice). Then there would be all the bits and pieces to install the remote button that drops it from behind the bumper so you can swivel it around and lock it in, and the electrics. Seems that it could be done. Attached Images __________________ Speakers: CDT Audio HD-42 comps--front doors (RAAMmat deadened), CDT ES-06 6.5" woofers--kickpanl Pods, Hertz EBX202R dual 8" ported trunk sub. Amps: Phoenix Gold RSd 500.4 (comps & pods). PG RSd 600.1 (sub). Power & Ground: 4AWG Streetwires w/RockFosgt RFDB1 distro blocks. Input: HU lineout--Kicker KISL RCA adapters--RockFosgt RFIT-6 cables--Audiocontrol Matrix--Monster cables--RSd 500.4--lineout Monstr Cabl to RSd 600.1. Last edited by Quasimodem; 05-29-2010 at 08:41 PM..
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06-02-2010, 10:50 AM	#13
koduria New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (0)	I am going to have the 81821 Valley hitch put on my car soon. I'll let you know how it turns out.
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06-03-2010, 06:52 AM	#14
m@rco First Lieutenant 23 Rep 322 Posts Drives: '20 540i; '07 328i; '03 R1150R Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	If I remember correctly, I had a removable/retractable hitch installed from Bosal on my E87. I used it for carrying a bicycle rack, pulling a 1600lb boat trailer, and pulling 2 large motorcycles on a trailer of the alps ~1800lb. Perfect design with no issues. Not sure if they ship to the US. The hitch can be installed by yourself (no welding) and is invisible if you remove it. I believe that Holland has the most installed hitches per capita (and almost 2 times as many bicycles as inhabitants...) so you might want to check what can be shipped from there.
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06-19-2010, 09:19 PM	#15
koduria New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (0)	Hi, I got the Valley 81821 hitch for my 335i convertible and have attached some pictures of the set up. Without the adapter, the hitch is not visible. It is truly the stealth hitch. I put an adapter on it and a Thule Helium bike rack and, with these, I can still put the top down. Some more pics to follow. Cheers. Happy riding and motoring. Attached Images
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06-19-2010, 09:21 PM	#16
koduria New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (0)	Some more pics of just the hitch. You can't see it from the outside. The installers did a good job. I think you can see me sitting down and taking a picture in the reflection off of the bumper in the second picture. Ha! Attached Images
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06-22-2010, 10:22 AM	#19
koduria New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (0)	Does that French hitch attach to the trunk?
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04-24-2011, 04:35 PM	#20
DragonNeo Private First Class 21 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Does this work on a M3 E93? __________________ 2018 X3 M40i Phytonic Blue / Cognac Retired: 2009 E93 M3 Space Gray / Fox Red Extended
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05-11-2011, 10:26 PM	#22
Z-PDX New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: mom wagon Join Date: May 2011 Location: pdx iTrader: (1)	Good info on the hitches. Nothing to add there. On the bike rack thing, the racks listed are what are call "mast" style racks. They hang the bike by the top tube. This can damage the frame or the paint on the bike. Worse the bike can sway into the car. I would assume that a BMW owner would also want a premium rack. The "tray" style fits that bill. The bike is only touched on the tire and it is held positively in place. No sway. Below is an example of the Yakima HoldUp. Not my pic, not my car, but you get the idea. This style of bike mount is the BMW of car racks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote