I am in talks with Slimmbones (resides on the M5 forums and makes parts for those models usually) and he said he can replicate the plates in black polyurethane (not ABS plastic that is mentioned later in this thread) that are paintable.
This part gets added to your 3.0i or 4.4i (NOT 4.6 or 4.8iS bumpers) as it's "bare" (just black plastic) where it gets installed (where as the iS models already have lower valances here).
Part Number: 82110021339
COST
$275 USD shipped within the continental USA.
$350 USD shipped to Canada.
$400 USD shipped for rest of the world (as shipping is yet more expensive)
They will not be painted, nor holes drilled, before shipping as its smarter to get the paint job done when it arrives and the painters can match the color of your vehicle.
Rick is this time supplying plastic mounting rivets (OR you can buy and use three 8mm screws, the same as the ones that hold the bumper to the frame currently, as I did).
I do not daily come in to this site in winter (too busy with work), but you can also still ask/discuss here too.
Please feel free to read the comments from Pg 40 onwards about the quality of the plates from other members who have received them.
Cheers all, Mike in Calgary, Slimmbones in Cali.
UPDATE:
first few batches sent out in Mid October, 2014.
I LOVE the quality and flexibility of this plate. the OE is very rigid and I get scared in winter with it on. Rick's plates are sensational and seem extremely durable.
Anyhow, please continue to let Rick know if you're interested/still interested.
[email protected]
INSTALL TIP:
as a recommendation, I'd screw the bottom 5 tabs on first and THEN hold the top of the plate onto the x5 and insert the center screw first to create a starting point.
From there, press in on the left or right half of the skid plate to conform the plate body to the bumper and then screw the end in
Then do the same for the other end. this way it gets rid of any "wave"/gap that can form.
remember as soon as you make the hole for the screw into the bumper, there is no changing that mounting hole, so I'd suggest you test fit and press to fully see how the plate will sit when you have the screws in.
