[cristo]

Would like to get a 1 1/4" trailer hitch receiver for our 2020 M240i convertible so that we can put on a bike rack when needed.
The dealer says "We don't do that, only BMW parts in our service bay"
(Even if BMW made a hitch receiver, it would probably cost an arm and a leg to get the dealer to install it.)
U-Haul lists a 24916 hitch ($130 part/$270 installed) for the 2019 M240i Convertible but not the 2018 or 2020
(even though they list the same part numbers for the bumper carrier, skin, side members, etc.).
Trying to get a firmer answer from the main company.
Curt 11367 ($200 part) and Stealth Hitch ($540 part) both list products that look like they will work well.
Haven't found any other options yet.

So, . . . anybody do this yet?

[designatedposter]

i don't know the specifics of your year, but several people have installed it on coupe and convertible. take a look at this thread. i myself have installed a hitch on my 2014 m235i coupe. i had to trim some heat shield. i did NOT trim the stock diffuser, but it does push on the hitch. not noticable though.

https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1182886

[Oldbay]

Originally Posted by cristo

Would like to get a 1 1/4" trailer hitch receiver for our 2020 M240i convertible so that we can put on a bike rack when needed.
The dealer says "We don't do that, only BMW parts in our service bay"
(Even if BMW made a hitch receiver, it would probably cost an arm and a leg to get the dealer to install it.)
U-Haul lists a 24916 hitch ($130 part/$270 installed) for the 2019 M240i Convertible but not the 2018 or 2020
(even though they list the same part numbers for the bumper carrier, skin, side members, etc.).
Trying to get a firmer answer from the main company.
Curt 11367 ($200 part) and Stealth Hitch ($540 part) both list products that look like they will work well.
Haven't found any other options yet.

So, . . . anybody do this yet?

I'm a cyclist and am considering the same thing....

[swilson317]

I had the perfect solution on my '02 Miata SE. A Dalan Hidden Hitch! It was only made for the 2nd generation Miata. I would love to get one custom made for the M240i, if possible. The receiver itself is pointed down at a 45 degree angle. The entire unit is tucked up behind the bumper. Then the bike rack is attached to the hitch that has a curve and comes up at a 45 to mate behind the bumper. Absolutely perfect solution as you cannot see the hitch when the bike rack isn't on it. And when you do use the rack, nothing touches the car!

[Maynard]

I've seen 2'ers at track days with hitches, and a couple of threads on here - try searching in subforums (tracking, ext mods).

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I've seen 2'ers at track days with hitches, and a couple of threads on here - try searching in subforums (tracking, ext mods).

I'm fairly certain OP listed all avail options, at least that I'm aware of.

[cristo]

Looked at the part UHaul offers
more closely. They give a part
number of 24916 which looks
like it won’t fit and a manufacturer
part number of 11367 right above it
which is the Curt part that does fit
per Curt’s website.
I think if I make sure they get the
Curt part it should go ok. BTW, the
$200 was Curt’s list price and most
places are selling it for about $130.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by cristo

Looked at the part UHaul offers
more closely. They give a part
number of 24916 which looks
like it won’t fit and a manufacturer
part number of 11367 right above it
which is the Curt part that does fit
per Curt’s website.
I think if I make sure they get the
Curt part it should go ok. BTW, the
$200 was Curt’s list price and most
places are selling it for about $130.

Curt is good if you don't mind seeing it, Stealth is the way to go if you want invisible.

One thing I don't know for sure the stealth hitch may in fact hang down a little lower once the hitch is hooked up since it goes down then out. Probably not enough to matter though.

[2breezy]

Mounted the Curt a few weeks ago. Took about 2-3 hours in the garage, taking my time. Pretty simple, only a few harder to reach screws. Fits just under my bumper cover on my 2015 M235i vert. Love that is not too low like some aftermarket hitches (my CR-V, etc.) I also just trimmed a bit of heat shield and left it in place.

[cristo]

What is the towing capacity of an M240i
convertible (USA)?
I’ve found numbers for the M235i
(Australian) of 750 kg unbraked 1200kg
braked, but data for the M240i (or
230i, etc.,) are either absent or listed
as N or 0kg.
Stealth hitches gives vehicle numbers of
250 lb tongue weight and 3500 lb
trailer weight for 2020 F23 models,
with a note to also double check with
the vehicle’s owners manual.
Hitch specs are about twice that, so
it’s a very sturdy product.
The vehicle towing info is not addressed
in my owner’s manual, however.

Found an online reference to max gross vehicle weight of 4542 and curb wt of 3856 for 2020 M240i 'vert.
Subtracting gives 686# allowance for passengers, fuel, and cargo, so that would indicate room for me, wife, full tank of gas and about only 265 lbs more.
Something must be off, as by this logic, four 145# passengers, a compact spare, a full tank of gas, and no luggage would exceed the GVW.

[Maynard]

My manual shows both Approved Gross Weight (4370#) and Load (785#). That AGW is about 1100# more than the curb weight I found (3263#), so it looks more like 4 adults and 800# of luggage. I suspect that your model will have similar figures (these are for a '16 228iX, but not much different for a 235 or 235iX). These used to be available online, if you don't have a paper copy kicking around the battery well. You do need to consider that putting a hitch on will likely be a valid reason for your dealership to void most warranties - not saying they will, but they could.

[cristo]

Nothing in the manual, but the door
sticker says GVWR is 4508# with
maximum passengers and cargo of
652. That would mean a curb weight
of 3856.
I assume the GCWR (combined vehicle
plus trailer) would be higher than 4508,
but since BMW doesn’t publish this, it’s
anybody’s guess.

[Hpirx]

Hi all, 2019 m240i x drive coupe here.
I installed the Stealth Hitch last year myself.
It works very well, and it is nice to be able to remove the receiver and preserve the clean look of a sports car. I use it primarily for my 1Up USA bike rack, which I also highly recommend.
I originally was going to have a local auto body shop install it, but they dithered around and ended up installing it myself. The directions that come with it are excellent.
I did not put the car on stands, jack it up, or remove the rear wheels, but doing so would have made things a lot easier. It took me about 3 hours. It you are handy, and have the appropriate tools, which they list in the instructions, it is pretty straightforward. The trickiest part is popping of the bumper fascia after removing the many retaining screws.
You must use plastic trim tools. Putting the bumper back on is also tricky but doable.
Make sure the mounting plate and block are torqued down snugly to spec.

In use, it is surprisingly easy to put on and remove the receiver. The mechanism is very well thought out and secure. I'm getting Indy pit crew quick at getting the hitch and the rack on, maybe I'll make a funny video of it.

I have put many normal hitches on my various vehicles, only to have to dispose of them when the car is sold or turned in at the end of a lease, much to my wife's annoyance. Those heavy chunks of metal don't make for an easy resale, the shipping costs almost outweigh their resale value. I just let them go. The Stealth Hitch, while expensive, I believe will have a better resale value if and when the time comes.

The only slight negative is weight, which is a problem with any hitch. And the fact you can take off the heavy receiver when not in use, mitigates this somewhat. Actually, the car still flies even with the hitch, rack and giant aerobrake (the bike) hanging off the back.

Hope this helps.

[cristo]

Thanks.
Looking mainly now at the 2” Stealth Hitch
and the Thule T2 Pro XT rack for when we
take our old but reliable TREK Navigators
to the local rail trail or on vacations.
The Thule is robust enough to take an
electric assist bike, as my wife is considering
whether to transition to one eventually.
Runner up choice is the Kuat NV Base 2.0.

[Winemaker2]

I went with a Yakima roof rack when I owned my E90. Might still work with a 2 series. it held 4 road bikes.

[cristo]

Probably won’t work with the convertible.

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by cristo

Nothing in the manual....

You can find this in the Reference/Technical Data section. If you don't have a manual, they have online manuals, just enter your vin. I only have a vin for a 'vert, but it lists this:
M240i powered by BMW M
Approved gross vehicle weight
Manual transmission lbs/kg 4,508/2,045
Steptronic transmission lbs/kg 4,542/2,060
Load lbs/kg 679/308
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,150/975
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,524/1,145

[amesser325]

You can order the hitch for an F30 and the receiver of an X5 to have a 2" receiver as a factory option - the frame rails and bolt pattern is the same.

I did this on my M235i and only had to trim a small piece from the heat shield to clear the cross bar. It is 98% invisible when the receiver is not installed, and the locking action of the receiver into the cross bar is c'est magnifique!

Total for parts retails for $475 but I'm sure most dealers would discount.

I use this to carry a 2 bike rack regularly. The only issue is the PDC can't be disabled, short of coding, however I have found a retrofit kit for a euro F22 including the AHM module that, when 2 cold bulbs checks pass or 1 hot bulb check passes, disable PDC. My main purpose is to add lights for rear visibility but keeping PDC without the tone is significant.

82-71-2-322-935 - crossbar
82-71-2-349-502 - 2" receiver

Andy
15 M235i
17 S1000R also with a bike rack

[cristo]

Ordered the 2” Stealth Hitch today.
Will order the Thule T2 Pro XT 2-bike
2” rack shortly.

[2500AB]

Per @amesser325, ordered the following two part numbers and happy to report that those fit like a glove. Very happy with the OEM 98.5% invisible setup. See process pics below.

82-71-2-322-935 - crossbar
82-71-2-349-502 - 2" receiver

This was for 2016 M235i with standard non-M exhaust. There is about an inch of free space between the bar and the exhaust after the install. You do have to tweak the metal heatshield a bit.

Ordered mine from one of the Euro parts resellers for $460 including shipping and taxes.

Took about 3 hours to install, but I took my time cleaning the insides

Make sure you watch enough videos on rear number removal... There are two clips and bolts which may get stuck right behind the fender liners. That took the longest in my case to not damage anything. Otherwise very easy and straightforward job.


As always, don't forget to safely jack your car on jackstands and place the extra support in case if something goes wrong.

[swilson317]

Originally Posted by cristo

Ordered the 2” Stealth Hitch today.
Will order the Thule T2 Pro XT 2-bike
2” rack shortly.

I know this thread is a little old, but am considering ordering the same. @cristo, any update on your purchase and install?

[cristo]

Soon after my last post, I ordered the Stealth
2” Hitch and the 2” Thule rack.
Installation at U-Haul was quick, easy,
affordable and professional.
Have use the setup many times since
including taking both bikes and a loaded
car 3-4 hours north of here on vacation
twice.
Great setup. Absolutely no regrets.