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both. a jigsaw works better than a dremmel. picture with and without rack
Well that's a bummer. I'm not quite motivted enough to do both; I was thinking about picking up just the lower insert (from someone who posted it to the marketplace) and cutting up that one. But if I have to cut into the upper bumper too, that's just a little more than I want to do.
Well that's a bummer. I'm not quite motivted enough to do both; I was thinking about picking up just the lower insert (from someone who posted it to the marketplace) and cutting up that one. But if I have to cut into the upper bumper too, that's just a little more than I want to do.
I can stick to borrowing my wife's Countryman
you sir are lucky to have that option! i found necessity to be quite a motivator! cutting stuff definitely took the most time. getting the bumper off and on took no time.
***also....i don't know if it's just JCW's or 2017's but there are 3 more screws holding the bumper on than what is mentioned by mini do more or torklift. one each behind the taillight trim and one inside, above and to the right of the exhaust tips. that one is a pita to get to!
oxtox, can you share any insight as to how you identified where to cut? Is the receiver close enough to the cover that you can feel it when pushing on the cover?
I'm also nervous about this part of the install on my JCW.
Here is some more info on the Out Motoring F55/F56 hitch install.
I just had this installed on my 2019 F56 JCW by my my local mechanic. And, as you can see below, you do not need to cut into the bumper cover portion of the rear end.
Note: cutting top portion of bumper cover NOT required.
I did notice something worth mentioning though. On my R56S, the heat shielding from the exhaust pipes only covered the immediate area above the pipes. This allowed me to (carefully) reach around it in order to insert my bike racks retention pin/bolt through the receiver holes into the rack. This may only pertain to the F56 JCW, but the heat shield now goes the entire width of the rear end. There is no longer access to the receiver from below. Not an issue for me as my new bike rack does not require a pin.
John, you have just made my day. Cutting only the bottom panel of the JCW bumper is something I could live with.
from the photo it looks like there is very little clearance between the receiver and the bumper cover. Does the draw bar rub the bumper cover when inserted?
i also wonder if one could cut the lower cover carefully enough to turn the removed piece into a plug for when the hitch isn’t in use.. Maybe by making a rubber gasket or something. Hmm.
At the bottom edge (which is nearest due to angle cover) There is about 7/8 inch from receiver to cover. Top is just over an inch.
There is just enough clearance at the top so that there is no contact between the hitch and bumper cover.
As for a plug, I just used the one supplied by OutMotoring. It is approx. 2x2. It is black, which really doesn't look too bad, but I may pick up some touch up paint. I had trim it a bit so it sits more flush, as the cover has some contours/edges.
Sorry for being late. There may be variation between years? I don't think there is much/any extra space when I insert my rack in the '17 JCW. i.e. I don't think it would go in if the top panel isn't trimmed. Great point by John re: access to the hitch from below. My 1upusa rack expands from inside the receiver so I don't have to get a pin in there. That would be a PITA!
Here's a better pic of my dirty mini...been doing a lot of gravel riding
I was looking at getting one of these hitches as I have a bicycle rack and want to use a small trailer to move a motorcycle. I have a 15 f56, as I look at it there doesn't seem to be room to get my hand behind the rear bumper cover and the muffler heat shield seems to be in the way. Your posts seem to confirm my suspicion.
