I think it's a mistake by BMW, but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets offered down the road. Unfortunately, it likely won't be available as a retrofit based on what I'm reading about how BMW does things.
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iX factory hitch deal killer
I recently cancelled my order for an IX loaded with most options available. I need a BMW factory installed hitch to transport my $7,000 electric trike. It's frustrating to read the UK models have a retractable hitch. BMW posts that the UK IX is a great electric vehicle to tow over competitors. I was going to lease the iX and didn't want to add an aftermarket hitch that may affect the BMW warranty. Anyone else on the fence about the hitch situation to transport bikes?
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I completely understand you @Triker and hope that it will be offered down the road. Though I will not cancel my order, it is beyond comprehension to me, that obviously the US is not allowing such a very well engineered, convenient and innovative hitch solution.
Before cancelling the order, did you contact the dealer or the company itself to see what they have to say about this? Just wondering!
Dealer says no hitch offered. That is the message I got last week when asking again as my vehicle has entered production.
Hi there - I am in the same boat here - have an IX on order with a Q3 delivery. Transporting the bicycles for the wife and I is a requirement yet all I get from the sales rep and the company is the same thing... a non answer - obviously its not on the build list or would have picked it in a heartbeat. So I think that I am banking on the hope that by going the aftermarket route I will be able to use a Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR Hitch Bike rack which is what I have fitted to my current 2018 X5. BMW cant ignore the US market for this can they?
I looked into aftermarket options for our iX (currently still at sea). The folks at Stealthhitches will offer one as soon as they can get their hands on a car near Atlanta. Free hitch for anyone in the area who helps out. Unfortunately I'm near Seattle.
" The vehicle is on our development list. We plan to get one in our R&D facility in Sugar Hill (Atlanta) as soon as one is available. We will offer a free hitch to the first person that brings their vehicle to our Sugar Hill facility to start the process. Are you by chance near Atlanta? Also please feel free to post the free hitch offer on the ix forum if you are a participant.
Best Regards,
STEVE NANCE"
" The vehicle is on our development list. We plan to get one in our R&D facility in Sugar Hill (Atlanta) as soon as one is available. We will offer a free hitch to the first person that brings their vehicle to our Sugar Hill facility to start the process. Are you by chance near Atlanta? Also please feel free to post the free hitch offer on the ix forum if you are a participant.
Best Regards,
STEVE NANCE"
I recently messaged BMW about the hitch option here in the US and I received the following back.
Thank you for contacting the BMW i Team. We appreciate your inquiry.
At this time, the BMW iX has not been rated for towing in the United States market. As such, the BMW iX does not have the option for a Tow Package at the time of production.
For compatible aftermarket accessories for BMW vehicles, please speak with the parts department at your authorized BMW center. They have the expertise and are eager to share their knowledge. Should you need to access a list of our authorized BMW centers, please visit our website at: www.bmwusa.com, and select “Dealer Locator.”
I hope this information is helpful. Thanks again for your inquiry.
For your convenience, BMW i Team members can be reached Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Feel free to call us via the BMW iConcierge Hotline at 1-855-236-1025.
Thank you for contacting the BMW i Team. We appreciate your inquiry.
At this time, the BMW iX has not been rated for towing in the United States market. As such, the BMW iX does not have the option for a Tow Package at the time of production.
For compatible aftermarket accessories for BMW vehicles, please speak with the parts department at your authorized BMW center. They have the expertise and are eager to share their knowledge. Should you need to access a list of our authorized BMW centers, please visit our website at: www.bmwusa.com, and select “Dealer Locator.”
I hope this information is helpful. Thanks again for your inquiry.
For your convenience, BMW i Team members can be reached Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Feel free to call us via the BMW iConcierge Hotline at 1-855-236-1025.
Thanks for the information and update.
Does this really leave us at BMW is not offering any way to transport a bicycle in the US marketplace via the IX?
Wake up BMW is this really your position? No bicycle transportation via the IX in the US?
Spoke to one after market provider the other day and they said they will create one as soon as they can get their hands on an IX vehicle @ their shop.
I took this to my sales rep who took it to dealership management who allegedly took it to BMW of North America - same non answer
Shame on you BMW
Does this really leave us at BMW is not offering any way to transport a bicycle in the US marketplace via the IX?
Wake up BMW is this really your position? No bicycle transportation via the IX in the US?
Spoke to one after market provider the other day and they said they will create one as soon as they can get their hands on an IX vehicle @ their shop.
I took this to my sales rep who took it to dealership management who allegedly took it to BMW of North America - same non answer
Shame on you BMW
My next question: WHY haven't they rated the iX for towing in the US market? Certainly doing that is easier than EPA testing, which they do on all of their cars.I recently messaged BMW about the hitch option here in the US and I received the following back.
Thank you for contacting the BMW i Team. We appreciate your inquiry.
At this time, the BMW iX has not been rated for towing in the United States market. As such, the BMW iX does not have the option for a Tow Package at the time of production.
For compatible aftermarket accessories for BMW vehicles, please speak with the parts department at your authorized BMW center. They have the expertise and are eager to share their knowledge. Should you need to access a list of our authorized BMW centers, please visit our website at: www.bmwusa.com, and select “Dealer Locator.”
I hope this information is helpful. Thanks again for your inquiry.
For your convenience, BMW i Team members can be reached Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Feel free to call us via the BMW iConcierge Hotline at 1-855-236-1025.
Telling customers they can't have something because they, as the manufacturer, chose to do less work is not a satisfying and cohesive response. I expect this from Tesla, not BMW.
My next question: WHY haven't they rated the iX for towing in the US market? Certainly doing that is easier than EPA testing, which they do on all of their cars.
Telling customers they can't have something because they, as the manufacturer, chose to do less work is not a satisfying and cohesive response. I expect this from Tesla, not BMW.
I feel your pain. I enjoyed looking at the ix50 in a showroom before test drives were available. I asked about the availability of a hitch to transport bikes and a very light kayak carrying trailer and was given assurances that someone would develop an aftermarket solution. I then spoke with a different BMW dealer and they advised me the installation of an aftermarket hitch could void the warranty. I suppose connecting a wiring harness for trailer lights could give them cause to void a warranty particularly because it would tie into the electrical system.I recently cancelled my order for an IX loaded with most options available. I need a BMW factory installed hitch to transport my $7,000 electric trike. It's frustrating to read the UK models have a retractable hitch. BMW posts that the UK IX is a great electric vehicle to tow over competitors. I was going to lease the iX and didn't want to add an aftermarket hitch that may affect the BMW warranty. Anyone else on the fence about the hitch situation to transport bikes?
I later returned to the first BMW dealer because a test drive option was available. I loved the experience of driving the ix50 but I'm not ready to plop down $$$$ for a car that won't carry bikes or haul a light kayak trailer. The Tesla X comes with a hitch, but I'm gravitating toward a reputable carmaker with car building experience.
BMW...fix the problem and gain a customers who need a hitch. Hurry, please!
I contacted BMW, it’s not an option for the US however you can get the hitch on the European versionBefore cancelling the order, did you contact the dealer or the company itself to see what they have to say about this? Just wondering!
I understand this may not be your preferred ethod, but have you considered a hatch-mounted solution to carry up to 4 bikes?I feel your pain. I enjoyed looking at the ix50 in a showroom before test drives were available. I asked about the availability of a hitch to transport bikes and a very light kayak carrying trailer and was given assurances that someone would develop an aftermarket solution. I then spoke with a different BMW dealer and they advised me the installation of an aftermarket hitch could void the warranty. I suppose connecting a wiring harness for trailer lights could give them cause to void a warranty particularly because it would tie into the electrical system.
I later returned to the first BMW dealer because a test drive option was available. I loved the experience of driving the ix50 but I'm not ready to plop down $$$$ for a car that won't carry bikes or haul a light kayak trailer. The Tesla X comes with a hitch, but I'm gravitating toward a reputable carmaker with car building experience.
BMW...fix the problem and gain a customers who need a hitch. Hurry, please!
It was almost a deal breaker for me as an amateur cyclist, but the driving experience and car is superb that I can overlook it. Fortunately I have another vehicle for potential towing needs. BMW does offer roof solutions currently for the iX and I did confirm this with the dealer.
This may have been posted elsewhere, but here it is for reference again.
This may have been posted elsewhere, but here it is for reference again.
ShopBMWUSA.com | BMW Roof Rack System - Skis, Bikes and Cargo
The official BMW roof rack system is suitable for skis, snowboards, bikes and cargo, and tested to remain stable and reliable while you focus on the road.
www.shopbmwusa.com
The problem with the roof solution is twofold. Harder to load and unload and a large increase in aerodynamic drag vs. a bike on a rack on the back. There is also the wind noise but that doesn't affect performance, just turn up the volume on the sound system.It was almost a deal breaker for me as an amateur cyclist, but the driving experience and car is superb that I can overlook it. Fortunately I have another vehicle for potential towing needs. BMW does offer roof solutions currently for the iX and I did confirm this with the dealer.
This may have been posted elsewhere, but here it is for reference again.
ShopBMWUSA.com | BMW Roof Rack System - Skis, Bikes and Cargo
The official BMW roof rack system is suitable for skis, snowboards, bikes and cargo, and tested to remain stable and reliable while you focus on the road.www.shopbmwusa.com
In Europe The IX has a hitch that swings out by the press of a button. Just for carrying some bikes on a rack on that hitch to me seems to be perfectly fine, because they can be properly secured. If there are safety concerns, I wonder where those concerns are regarding the thousands of tire parts and lost truck loads on our roads. Not mentioning pot holes of sizes which easily could kill a motorcyclist. I regret that I will not be able to carry my bike, but will not cancel my order either. The over all ingenuity of the car out performs this disadvantage in my opinion.
I got my iX50 delivered yesterday, and by now I am convinced there is no hitch in the horizon coming from BMW US. I spoke to a reputable after market hitch installer who told me it will be months until one is available from third party manufacturers.
Has anybody used the Thule OutWay Hanging system? Seems to me like a possible interim solution. But I am not sure how it will perform. Any advise will be highly appreciated.
Has anybody used the Thule OutWay Hanging system? Seems to me like a possible interim solution. But I am not sure how it will perform. Any advise will be highly appreciated.
Very stupid on BMW's part not to offer this in all markets, especially in the US. A so-called SUV without a tow hitch option is kind of a joke here.
Having seen this with other electric SUVs, I’m not so sure this a a BMW problem so much as it is a US regulations headache. I am not familiar with said Regs, but since it happens frequently, i do wonder if its just too much pain.
Absolutely. can not imagine that BMW would decide to leave out their hitch solution on purpose, which is better than anything else on the market. Disappears when not used. There are other reasons. I don't want to speculate.Having seen this with other electric SUVs, I’m not so sure this a a BMW problem so much as it is a US regulations headache. I am not familiar with said Regs, but since it happens frequently, i do wonder if its just too much pain.
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