[Oksamit78]

Hello,
This is the request to any fellow F34 owner that had the tow hitch retrofit done using OEM control module and OEM retrofit wiring kit to share photos and experience of the process. Furthermore, the request is directed at the owners of the North American spec cars, not European as explained below:

There is a handful of posts covering F30 installs and, at least, one post of the F34 owner who had installed stealth hitch, but used aftermarket wiring. This is NOT what I am asking about. I'm primarily interested in details of the retrofit using OEM components.

For reference:
RealOEM shows that these control boxes could be used on EU F34 chassis with detachable coupling (not folding coupling):
71606879426
71606884357
71606889589

This means these are designed to handle trailer turn signals separate from breaking/parking lights.

According to TIS, there are two versions of control boxes: EU and non EU for the reason of the trailer lights, but I have not been able to locate the exact part numbers for each version...

RealOEM does not give part number for control unit for NA F3x cars, although the trailer hitch option with detachable coupling is shown available under Section 71 Equipment Parts.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...iX&mg=71&sg=10

1. Has anybody here successfully performed this retrofit on North American spec car where there is no such separation between turn/park/brake trailer lights? If yes, do you know if the retrofit wiring kit for X5/X6 (F15/F16) vehicles can be used?

Wiring kit number: 82712349500

2. Is there a solid evidence that control boxes installed in NA X5/X6 vehicles could be cross read to F30/31/32/34/36 platform?

Any inputs are appreciated.

[WhiteCollarMetalHead]

Great questions...DEEP questions....sadly I can not add any value to this, just posting to keep it active and suggesting you cross post this to the general F30 sub for more eyes and potential input than the F34 dedicated sub has. Good luck!

[Oksamit78]

Originally Posted by WhiteCollarMetalHead

Great questions...DEEP questions....sadly I can not add any value to this, just posting to keep it active and suggesting you cross post this to the general F30 sub for more eyes and potential input than the F34 dedicated sub has. Good luck!

Thank you for the response.

Frankly, the F30 is of no interest to me (F34 owner) as it has a slightly different wiring at the rear and at rear fuse box. F30 hitch install with OEM components is well documented on this board, but nothing relevant or detailed on F34. Yes, the vehicles are 99% similar, but it is that 1% difference that I'm trying to pin down.

I already know that there is a difference between Control Modules for the fully automatic hitch and for the one with removable ball. However, I can see that the difference is about one extra 10-pin connector that is solely dedicated to automatic hitch fold/unfold function (button and LED). So, if that connector is not used and neither 3 pins in the other plug, the same control module can be used with the non-auto hitch (hence same block on F15/F16 in North America that do not have the automatic hitch functionality, for example). I assume that the North American supplied control units are the "non-Euro" aka "Version 2" as TIS describes the difference between two versions of control units.

I'm thinking that F34 and F36 (GC) are the closest (if not identical) siblings in terms of rear wiring as both are 4 door hatches with F34 having a slight deviation with the auto spoiler at the rear.

More info to share later...

[Oksamit78]

Update. Finally received a used control unit off the same MY X5, USA spec. Wire loom is on its way.