Which towing hitch for a 03 S hatchback the mini-do-more or the mini-fini?

Thanks Mr. D

I have seen some other brands but I am thinking stay with one of these 2 products.

 

Mini Do More, although check out Moss motors for theirs. Alot Cheaper but not hidden like the Mini Do More

 

Mini Do More - hidden AND you're not tying yourself to buying all your accesories (bike carrier, ski carrier, trailer, etc . . .) from the hitch receiver manufacturer.
I love mine.

 

I am pleased with the Mini Fini Sports Link... Easy install. Works...

 

MDM advantages: Uses mainly stock 1 1/4" accessories, fully hidden when not in use, somewhat less expensive (but my no means "cheap), comes with good instructions, unparallelled customer service (can't say enough about Brent and his organization). Very well built and sturdy. I installed mine in under an hour, including setup and cleanup time. If you're near Pittsburgh I'll help you install (or come to a PittStop Mini garage day and we'll do it as a club). Installs using factory hardware. Replaces an existing brace (with a sturdier hitch bar) so there's minimal weight gain when hitch is installed. Only removable part requiring storage is a drawbar that can store in the boot (it's about the size of the jack and fits in a provided Mini jack bag)

MDM disadvantages: For an '03 you'll need the MDM hitch that fits the backup light - which places the receiver further behind the rear bumper cap. You'll need 1 1/4" accessories that are long enough to span the ~7" from hitch pin hole to bumper cap - and some bike racks don't have that long a mounting bar. It also doesn't have loops for safety chains - you'll need the MDM drawbar as well since it has loops welded on (and is nicely finished, with a Mini bag, by the way). Installing the drawbar requires some hand contortions around the heat shield near the exhaust - car should be cool while installing/removing drawbar.

Fini advantages: Mounts inside frame rails, may add some stability (but requires drilling the body, and corresponding corrosion protection on the drilled holes). Wide range of accessories. Well built. Once base is installed, accessories mount easily, but accessories are large (about the size of a decent floor jack) and so need to be stored somewhere.

Fini disadvantages: Extremely costly. Dedicated (well built) accessories also costly. Constantly visible peashooter mounts, even if covered with black caps or paint. Difficult to install, costly to have dealer install, requires separate mounting hardware.

Summary: My choice was the MDM, for the reasons above. Both are costly, Fini more so. Nothing wrong with either one, really, no showstoppers. Tow rating on car is 1000lb trailer, 100lb tongue weight, easily do-able using either one.

I do like the capability with the Fini, though, of mounting Estes rocket motors in there for that extra boost... or if mounted reversed, to deter tailgaters...

 

Anybody knows of a place in Los Angeles where I can have the the hitch installed?
And has anyone with an '07 MCS gotten a hitch installed yet (anykind of hitch), if so can you post pics please.

-Thanks in advance
_lawrence

 

What about the Moss hitch. It's quite a bit less money--anyone have any experience with it?