[PabstBleuRibbon]

Hi all,
New owner here, picked up a 2022 X3M last Sunday. First mod is a Stealth Hitch (well, spacers actually but I don't think installing those require a thread) and I thought I'd post up some photos of the install. It was very easy on the 2022 LCI, not nearly as much trouble as the instructions show.

I got the trailer package that includes a ball hitch, but ended up not installing the wiring modules as I'm waiting to see if I can figure out how to use the OEM hitch wiring for trailer lights.

You can get away with just removing the lower diffuser trim, dropping the exhaust mounts for clearance, and then you can shoehorn the stealth hitch in without issue. A second pair of hands to move the bumper facia out of the way would be helpful but it's really not that bad of an install. Any shop that charges you more than 2 hours total for install is ripping you off, without wiring this can easily be done in under an hour.

Overall, impressed with how clean it is once installed, can't wait to load up my bike carrier and get to the trails!

[M3Pilot09]

Stealth hitch is the best! I have installed mine on my past 2 X3M's and installing on my 2022 I pick up Wednesday. I saw the TM in the background, I use mine to haul MX bikes around
as well.

[lagunablue1]

Nice, I opted to remove the entire bumper when I installed my hitch, but good to know you can squeeze the hitch in just by removing the diffuser.

As far as the oem wiring goes, you can buy the oem retrofit harness and module and have it coded. That's the route I took based on this thread which shows the harness and trailer control module #: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1582562

[BrockDM]

Wow that makes Stealth Hitch even more attractive, that's a breeze.

I wonder if there is enough room on the pre-LCI to do the same.

[Poffman]

Thank you for posting! I am looking at one for my 22' x3m also. Can you post some pics with your bike rack on when you use it please?

Looks great.

[Soylent]

How tall is the ceiling in your garage and what height can you get under the car? I'm looking into one of those lifts for my garage.

[SearsTurnSix]

Nice photos. This will be the first thing I do on my MBB X3MC for my 1UPUSA bike carrier.

When you say bike carrier, are you referring the mountain bikes or the motos in your garage?

BTW: I just bought the same Makita impact driver. Haven't had a chance to use it. Very jealous of your lift.

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Originally Posted by Soylent

How tall is the ceiling in your garage and what height can you get under the car? I'm looking into one of those lifts for my garage.

it's right about 136" floor to ceiling. I'm 6'1" and have to duck at the highest possible lift point with the shortest car (the GT500). Figure total clearance underneath is right about 5'10"-5'11".

Lift is a Bendpak HD-7W, no complaints so far and it works great for my purposes.

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Originally Posted by SearsTurnSix

Nice photos. This will be the first thing I do on my MBB X3MC for my 1UPUSA bike carrier.

When you say bike carrier, are you referring the mountain bikes or the motos in your garage?

BTW: I just bought the same Makita impact driver. Haven't had a chance to use it. Very jealous of your lift.

Thanks! The lift has been a pipe dream for a while, made it happen this winter. Bike carrier means a 1UP bicycle carrier like yours, I might try loading up a dirtbike as well but that is more tongue weight than I'm comfortable with on the X3M. I have a small kendon trailer I can use also, it'll tow that no problem.

[kolosy]

Nice work! How'd you get the crash bar out past the exhaust without taking the whole bumper off? when I did mine with just the diffuser unclipped, it wouldn't clear the bumper and exhaust tips.. ended up having to pull the whole bumper cover :/

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Originally Posted by kolosy

Nice work! How'd you get the crash bar out past the exhaust without taking the whole bumper off? when I did mine with just the diffuser unclipped, it wouldn't clear the bumper and exhaust tips.. ended up having to pull the whole bumper cover :/

When I dropped all 4 exhaust hangers there was enough room to flex the rear bumper facia and get the crash bar out. I think the 2022 LCI lower diffuser part is larger also, so when it's removed you get more space to work with.

[kolosy]

oh yeah, i see that -- def more space around the exhaust with that diffuser than my '20.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Nice!

[knali8]

Awesome set-up. I will get mine installed soon. I've had towbars installed on all my cars just to get the bikes to and from the track 👌

[pmark837]

Looks Great! is that panel in the 2nd pic the kick sensors? did you get to put them back or is that lost with the hitch install?

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Originally Posted by pmark837

Looks Great! is that panel in the 2nd pic the kick sensors? did you get to put them back or is that lost with the hitch install?

nope, the panel bolts up right where it used to, all sensors are still there.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by PabstBleuRibbon

Hi all,
New owner here, picked up a 2022 X3M last Sunday. First mod is a Stealth Hitch (well, spacers actually but I don't think installing those require a thread) and I thought I'd post up some photos of the install. It was very easy on the 2022 LCI, not nearly as much trouble as the instructions show...

Apologies for the belated welcome and for commenting on your thread. Although I'm not planning on installing a hitch I appreciate the time and effort you took to share your install with the community - great work and hope the F97 exceeds your expectations!

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Originally Posted by Poffman

Thank you for posting! I am looking at one for my 22' x3m also. Can you post some pics with your bike rack on when you use it please?

Looks great.

finally got a chance to use it, works great!

[Poffman]

Originally Posted by PabstBleuRibbon

finally got a chance to use it, works great!

Thank you so much for the pics! It looks great!

Any complaints? I think I'm gonna pull the trigger. Your pics have made me way less concerned about it.

Is it essentially invisible when you disconnect the hitch?

[M3Pilot09]

Originally Posted by Poffman

Thank you so much for the pics! It looks great!

Any complaints? I think I'm gonna pull the trigger. Your pics have made me way less concerned about it.

Is it essentially invisible when you disconnect the hitch?

Unless you are using the hitch it is not visible at all. I have had a stealth hitch on all 3 of my X3Ms just had it installed on my 2022 X3MC last week. You will not be disappointed it's the the best period.

This is my 21 do you see any sign of a hitch? That's the beauty of it.

[gapband]

Originally Posted by PabstBleuRibbon

I got the trailer package that includes a ball hitch, but ended up not installing the wiring modules as I'm waiting to see if I can figure out how to use the OEM hitch wiring for trailer lights.

Did you end up finding a solution for this? I'm getting ready to install mine but I'm not sure about hooking up the wiring just yet.

[moff]

Normal Euro BMW tow ball but love carrying my bike!