Hitch mount for F8x?

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by eonflux

I had an Execuhitch/Invisihitch (same company) installed on a previous F86 X6M. Worked great.

[img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4041/...cb26c0a9_b.jpg[/img]

Wanted the same on my F80 M3.
But when I last spoke with someone at Execuhitch/Invisihitch and also with the local hitch installer who put the hitch on my X6M who I would have install the M3 hitch, to install the F30 hitch on the M3, a heat shield on the M3 would have to be cut or removed, which I opted not to do.

Of note, the Execuhitch/Invisihitch mounted onto the F80 X6M without needing to do anything to the X6M, though my understanding is that for the previous gen X6M, something did need to be modified on the vehicle.

Last summer, the Execuhitch/Invisihitch representative said they were working on a modification which would enable installing on the M3 without any modification to the M3, and they were going to send me a notification when that was available, but I haven't yet heard anything.

If indeed a hitch is now available that can be mounted on the M3 without any car modifications, I'd be interested. Right now using my wife's SUV to get to trails and it's not as fun to drive--half the fun of biking was driving the X6M (and a previous Audi RS4) to the trailhead and back!

Is a F80-specific Execuhitch/Invisihitch now available? I only see the F30 hitch on their website, and there is no info about whether or not the hitch is fully compatible with the F80.

I believe the heatshield does indeed need to be removed as others suggested. At least two members have stated that they have not seen any impacts from this removal. The hitch is now the "barrier" between exhaust and rear bumper.

My hitch is in transit and I might install it this weekend or worst case next weekend. I'll take some pics and report back.

The sales person at Execuhitch that I spoke to, Leigh Anne, was very thorough and confirmed that this hitch now fits both F30 and F8x. While I didn't ask specifically if the had done any design tweaks to make it fit F8x, she did acknowledge that their website is outdated and not maintained.

Here's the excerpt of a follow up email I received from her.
Thanks for your inquiry. All the attached information is for the F30, which requires the same hitch as your F80, at the same price.

Hope this helps!u

[Bahn360Photo]

I bought a hitch for my m4 from a forum member who slightly modified it to fit well. I haven't installed it yet but here is a link

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...highlight=curt

[moonluv810]

I tried to install Execuhitch on my F80 this morning and after spending 3 hours or so (should only take less than 1.5), I gave up.

Looking at the hitch and comparing it with the instructions, it appears that the mounting bracket may not be positioned and welded correctly.

I'll call them on Monday to see if they could troubleshoot and confirm if there was a manufacturing mistake.

[Prossx]

Pics? Maybe I can compare with my "as of yet not reinstalled" unit.

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by Prossx

Pics? Maybe I can compare with my "as of yet not reinstalled" unit.

Hi there,

I just sent the attached to Execuhitch to illustrate the issues I ran into.

Can you confirm if the middle bracket on your hitch replicates what they have on the drawing?

Thanks!

[Prossx]

You are right, they incorrectly welded the brackets in the wrong orientation.

[pbar]

Originally Posted by moonluv810

Hi there,

I just sent the attached to Execuhitch to illustrate the issues I ran into.

Can you confirm if the middle bracket on your hitch replicates what they have on the drawing?

Thanks!

Interesting ... I had an email conversation with Invisihitch about 9 months ago when they told me that there was an F80 version of the hitch that was slightly longer than the F30 version to clear the bottom of the valance/diffuser. Here are some quotes from my email thread:

I know that the M4 version of our hitch is basically our 4 Series hitch extended downward to avoid trimming the visible area of the M4 fascia. Any trimming should be underneath only.

I had to do some asking around here before responding, because this is such a low volume product for us.
We do have a confirmed fitment for the M4, and we have exactly two of these M4 hitches in stock. However, we apparently never produced installation instructions that are differentiated from the baseline 4 Series. In speaking with our installers, I have surmised that the installation is quite similar to the 4 Series, but there may be some additional fasteners securing the M4 fascia that are not shown in our 4 Series instructions.
With the above caveat, I am attaching the 4 Series installation instructions.

[moonluv810]

Folks,

Regrettably, after a few email exchanges in the last a week and a half, Execuhitch determined that the current hitch does not fit F80.

We went back and forth about the orientation of the middle bracket (slant facing front end of the car vs rear) and I even provided pics of one of the member's install from back in 2015. In speaking with Matt (either engineer or prod mgr), he explained that the hitch was manufactured correctly and their jigs are setup so that all the parts have to be oriented correctly for welding.

I must say that Leigh Anne and Matt from Execuhitch have been very helpful although it's not the outcome that I was looking for. I'm returning the hitch and they are crediting back the charge.

Matt did allude that they may try to redesign for F80 fitment in coming months. They're in Duluth, GA. If you're close by and don't mind being a test mule, might want to give them a shout.

Another option is getting a Curt hitch, but I can't stomach the idea of having a hitch sticking out of my F80 all the time.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by moonluv810

Another option is getting a Curt hitch, but I can't stomach the idea of having a hitch sticking out of my F80 all the time.

Have had the Curt hitch for the past 3 years. Black cover on it, and it is black, itself, and it's not really noticeable. And to be fair, do you really GAF what other people think about how your car looks? The people in the know will realize that the hitch is likely there to to a tire trailer to the track, and the people not in the know will likely not notice it.

Me, I clearly don't GAF, and I do appreciate the utility the hitch provides, both for my tire trailer, and occasionally for putting a bicycle rack.

[Prossx]

What is their explanation of your hitch's bracket alignment vs. everyone else's, aside from their claim it was manufactured correctly. Pics of mine attached.

Many F8x owners have successfully done this install. Guess I need to get off my rear and do mine already.

[maniz]

Good thread. I need to do it this summer too, to carry MTBs for my wife and I. The kids' bikes can stay on the roof with the seasuckers.

I saw invisible hitches a lot (sounds funny) in Europe last summer. Those guys really know how to haul stuff on practically any car.

[seis-speed]

Originally Posted by moonluv810

Folks,

Regrettably, after a few email exchanges in the last a week and a half, Execuhitch determined that the current hitch does not fit F80.

We went back and forth about the orientation of the middle bracket (slant facing front end of the car vs rear) and I even provided pics of one of the member's install from back in 2015. In speaking with Matt (either engineer or prod mgr), he explained that the hitch was manufactured correctly and their jigs are setup so that all the parts have to be oriented correctly for welding.

I must say that Leigh Anne and Matt from Execuhitch have been very helpful although it's not the outcome that I was looking for. I'm returning the hitch and they are crediting back the charge.

Matt did allude that they may try to redesign for F80 fitment in coming months. They're in Duluth, GA. If you're close by and don't mind being a test mule, might want to give them a shout.

Another option is getting a Curt hitch, but I can't stomach the idea of having a hitch sticking out of my F80 all the time.

IMO, If you add a diffuser then you can’t really see it. Here is an example on an M2.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1314519

[Prossx]

Did the install and had a couple issues that resulted in pulling the plug:

1) The spring loaded plastic flap that covers the hole where the bike rack connector locks into receiver touches the exhaust, preventing the flap from opening and obviously would melt the flap being close proximity to the exhaust. Removed the flap and the receiver fit. Not ideal since debris, etc would get up into the receiver locking mechanism.

2) Attaching the bike rack connector into the receiver really deflected the underside of the bumper quite a bit, making attachment a PITA.

After all that the lock wasn't working. Not sure what's wrong with it but that's critical part of the system. So I removed the receiver and called it a fail.

[Nosewheelie]

I have a '16 F80 with Dinan muffler and CF Diffuser. Just had "Stealth Hitch" installed by Turner Motorsports so I can mount my bike rack. Hitch has 2" square receiver and is similar to Executive Hitch. Minor trimming of heat shields and center of diffuser. Looks clean, pleased with results. Took these guys 4 hours so would have been an all day job for me.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by Nosewheelie

I have a '16 F80 with Dinan muffler and CF Diffuser. Just had "Stealth Hitch" installed by Turner Motorsports so I can mount my bike rack. Hitch has 2" square receiver and is similar to Executive Hitch. Minor trimming of heat shields and center of diffuser. Looks clean, pleased with results. Took these guys 4 hours so would have been an all day job for me.

gonna need some pics there chief.

Sounds great though

[Nosewheelie]

Will post pics soon, tried to take some w/iPad and came out lousy

[moonluv810]

Looking at the pics of Stealth Hitches on their website, it awfully looks similar to Execuhitch design.

A bit strange or coincidence, these two companies are located about 10 miles of each other.

I'd be interested to see pics of the Stealth Hitches installed on F80.

[seis-speed]

Originally Posted by Nosewheelie

Will post pics soon, tried to take some w/iPad and came out lousy

Post pics please!

[Nosewheelie]

I've got a variety of pics - not to prolong the torture, but where do you guys host pics now?

[maniz]

Originally Posted by Nosewheelie

I've got a variety of pics - not to prolong the torture, but where do you guys host pics now?

Just attach them to your post.

[Zermatt]

Likewise; photos would be appreciated. Ive reached out to Execuhitch and Stealthhitch. I was informed that Execuhitch is now Invisahitch and they are in the process of launching their new Invisahitch e-commerce website. Until then, execuhitch.com site is still up but not updated. The rep also informed me that the F80 is not supported. He noted that a few months ago they had some fitment issues and had to process returns. Im currently awaiting a call back from Stealthhitch regarding my order request.

Originally Posted by Nosewheelie

I have a '16 F80 with Dinan muffler and CF Diffuser. Just had "Stealth Hitch" installed by Turner Motorsports so I can mount my bike rack. Hitch has 2" square receiver and is similar to Executive Hitch. Minor trimming of heat shields and center of diffuser. Looks clean, pleased with results. Took these guys 4 hours so would have been an all day job for me.

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by Zermatt

Likewise; photos would be appreciated. Ive reached out to Execuhitch and Stealthhitch. I was informed that Execuhitch is now Invisahitch and they are in the process of launching their new Invisahitch e-commerce website. Until then, execuhitch.com site is still up but not updated. The rep also informed me that the F80 is not supported. He noted that a few months ago they had some fitment issues and had to process returns. Im currently awaiting a call back from Stealthhitch regarding my order request.

That was me with fitment issue with Execuhitch and returned the hitch back.

I called Stealth Hitches and they advised that their F80 hitch would not fit on F80.
I would love to see some pics from the other member, especially around the rear diffuser.