[Oss]

The hands free tailgate doesn't work in my 2019 X3 x30i. I ordered it from the factory and added trailer hitch as an additional option. I went to service center today and the bmw Genius guy told me that the hands free tailgate won't work as it has trailer hitch. I was really disappointed to hear this. Poor engineering or wrong information?

[bmtespar]

If I’m understanding you correctly, factory hitch means no kick open feature.

[Oss]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

If I’m understanding you correctly, factory hitch means no kick open feature.

[bmtespar]

I feel your pain. It’s one of my personal gripes as well.

[Oss]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

I feel your pain. It’s one of my personal gripes as well.

Really disappointed that they didn't think of something so obvious when designing this!
Sorry to hear your situation too

[skier219]

Agree it's stupid they couldn't do both. The sensors for the kick area are normally mounted right where the hitch goes, and BMW didn't make any effort to relocate or reconfigure the sensors when a hitch is installed. They just remove that entire section of under-bumper, including the sensor area.

Countries that get a European style hitch keep the kick sensors because that hitch mounts much differently.

I would have got the trailer hitch by default, since the price is reasonable and I think it's good to have, but I did not want to lose the kick-to-open feature. I already have a full size pickup and larger SUV to tow with, so not a big deal, but I still consider this a dumb tradeoff and think BMW could have done better.

[BMWZ4]

My SA told me right up front that my factory hitch would "delete" the kick sensor.

Sounds more like some SA's don't know their products.

[Jeepersjoey]

Before buying the 2018, I priced out the hitch.

$400 for the hitch and 9 hrs of labor was what I was quite by the BMW dealer over the phone.

Needless to say, I bought the 2018 with a hitch right off the lot.

Two choices...white (ick) or grey (awesome but white seats!).

I towed my camper the first weekend I bought the 2018 and had 2000 miles within 3 weeks.

Trailer hitch R.O.C.K.S!!
Paul

[bmtespar]

Originally Posted by Jeepersjoey

Before buying the 2018, I priced out the hitch.

$400 for the hitch and 9 hrs of labor was what I was quite by the BMW dealer over the phone.

Needless to say, I bought the 2018 with a hitch right off the lot.

Two choices...white (ick) or grey (awesome but white seats!).

I towed my camper the first weekend I bought the 2018 and had 2000 miles within 3 weeks.

Trailer hitch R.O.C.K.S!!
Paul

Which engine do you have and how much weight did you tow? How’d it tow for you?

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

Which engine do you have and how much weight did you tow? How’d it tow for you?

I knew when I ordered mine that the hitch would delete the "kick to open" feature, no biggy IMO.
With all the talk about tail gates unintentional opening I figured it was a good thing not to have.
Mine is the B58 M40i and tows my loaded car/trailer (4700 lbs.) with a weight distribution hitch no problem.

Good thread on X3 towing info here... https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1490808


---Bill.