Adding a hitch to Mini SE

After reading the posts here I decided to order the Curt hitch and install it myself on my brand new SE. Several items were very useful (and some essential) for completing the install. My headlamp was the most important! You also need a 10mm deep socket and a drill / power driver helps things go a lot faster. I put the car up on ramps and began with taking the trim rings off and then the lights out. Used bike tire levers here and put some painters tape on the panels so they wouldn’t get scratched.

Then I took off part of the wheel arches on both sides followed by all the bolts across the bottom of the bumper. Note that there is one hidden bolt about 8” up inside the bumper on the right as you are looking at the rear of the car. I couldn’t figure out why after unplugging all the sensors (and bolts I could see) that it wouldn’t release. After looking underneath I found the single bolt holding the cover on. If this was covered in other recaps I missed it.

I had to trim a little bit around the plastic housing by the mount bolts, about an inch. I pulled the left side of the plastic up after unbolting it and slid the hitch on underneath the plastic mount unit. Then trimmed out the plastic pan and bolted everything back together. The only thing I couldn’t complete was attaching the wheel well trim pieces to the white and red stoppers. I had to remove these when I reassembled everything. If they prove to be essential I’ll get a new pair, they don’t appear to be as the three tabs toward the rear hold the piece on toward the back.

In all it took me about 90-100 minutes from start to finish. Having all the tools like a small angular driver for the hard to reach spots really helps.

Now I can carry my bikes with ease. Cheers!

 

Here are a couple photos. It’s virtually hidden unless you are looking directly under the trunk. Let me know if you have questions about install.

 

Install looked straightforward, hitch was $240 and I can use the it for other things. I also really like the 1up racks, have 2 of them. Very well made and close by in Wisconsin. Also, I’ve never heard of VIP customs rack. Searched and found one on eBay that was $999.

 

Interesting. If I didn't already have a couple hitch based racks I would have maybe looked into it. I like to be able to carry 2 bikes at least as well. Plus if needed I can tow a small sailboat. Nice to have options. Cheers!