The install was pretty straight forward, instructions were well written. the product fit perfectly and for the 2010 X5M no cutting of the bumper was necessary. The only thing I can think of to make it absolutely 100% perfect would be to add some alternative mounting holes for the trailer lights connector socket. In the original position I couldn't open the flap. I drilled a hole midway between the two existing holes to move it further forward and now it opens perfectly and is flush with the bottom of the bumper. Also the free remote programming is a very nice touch. No trip to the dealership or shop to get it coded and to do it on my own schedule is a plus to me.
I waited for years to put a hitch on my BMW X5M. I wish I had discovered Stealth Hitches sooner. Also used one of the recommended installers. Great experience all around!
The hitch is beautifully made and great ingenuity in the latch mechanism design. No cuts on the rear diffuser was required for the X5M version which was a huge positive.
I just installed the hitch itself today. The plans I got to remove my bumper were for a regular X5. So no help to me and I tried to figure it out myself but got to worried about breaking clips. I figured I would just take it to the dealer but they will not install after market hitches but I found one that would remove the bumper and I figured since it was there have them do the wiring harnes as well and program it. Cost me $500 but no broken clips and no messed up wiring so worth it in my book. Once I got the car home it was very easy to install the hitch. Now that I could see all the clips for the bumper and how they worked it was fairly easy to reinstall it. Did not have to cut the bumper but had to remove a heat shield. I moved the trailer plug bracket by drilling a few new holes so I didn’t have to cut the bumper since I had room to do so. Have not used it yet will tomorrow but right now it’s doing what I bought it for. My nice M series bumper looks the way it should and I can not see a hitch receiver.
I have always gone with lower price hitches in the past, but the design of the Stealth Hitch immediately captured me. There was a lower cost hidden hitch option on the market, but the tow rating was reduced. The Stealth Hitch not only increased my towing capacity, but included the programming. I have not felt so good about buying an automotive product in a long time.