Spec X5 Overland Build

[thstone]

*Fender Flares *

I had some free time over the weekend so I decided to do a quick fit check of the fender flare kit that I bought from eBay.

The rear looks ok but the front looks like its missing a piece that goes on the rear side of the fender well to merge the flare into the bottom sill.

Anyone have a recommendation for a kit that gives a more integrated look or is this as good as it gets?

[c-bass]

Have you seen the fender flare kits on ecstuning?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by c-bass

Have you seen the fender flare kits on ecstuning?

Exactly! They are a hit pricey at $300 per side but those will probably fit and look the best. Thanks.

[robertsmau]

Great post and hello to a fellow racer (spec e30 for me)

I just bought a 2001 three pedal and had the same thoughts on lift, wheels, and creating an mild offroad ride. I really liked #5 so thanks for the pictures. I'll be curious to hear where you shop for the lift spacers and what the thought process on getting the height right.
I'm a month away from that because I'll be replacing the entire cooling system in my space rime

[robertsmau]

How did the finish install on the flares look?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by robertsmau

How did the finish install on the flares look?

I haven't done the complete installation yet. I plan to first install the lift and then see how the flares look and if I like them, then I'll do the full install of the flares.

[robertsmau]

Are you getting your lift kit from FMU? What height are you going with?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by robertsmau

Are you getting your lift kit from FMU? What height are you going with?

I am looking for just enough of a lift to keep the front tires from rubbing on the fender over large bumps so I chose the Tema 30mm (1.2") lift kit. It looks like fairy decent quality for the off roading that I have planned and was affordably priced at $147. I am planning the install for this weekend.

The FMU kit is much higher than I need for the size of tires. I might have used the FMU kit if I had selected a larger tire.

BMW E53 X5 Lift Kit TEMA 30mm

[Purplefade]

Originally Posted by thstone

I am looking for just enough of a lift to keep the front tires from rubbing on the fender over large bumps so I chose the Tema 30mm (1.2") lift kit. It looks like fairy decent quality for the off roading that I have planned and was affordably priced at $147. I am planning the install for this weekend.

The FMU kit is much higher than I need for the size of tires. I might have used the FMU kit if I had selected a larger tire.

BMW E53 X5 Lift Kit TEMA 30mm

Actually looks like a nice kit and a very nice alternative to FMU at the price! Is that aluminum I assume?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

Actually looks like a nice kit and a very nice alternative to FMU at the price! Is that aluminum I assume?

The TEMA kit spacers are made from some type of hard rubber. The front spacers have a metal insert for the bolts but the rear spacers are all hard rubber.

This might add a bit of compliance to the suspension which could be good for ride comfort on rocky roads but not optimal for handling. I have other cars which are optimized for handling (like a classic air cooled Porsche 911) so this is a tradeoff that I am willing to make to gain some off road capability in the X5.

And I'm pretty sure that is where most of the cost difference comes from (molded rubber vs machined aluminum). The other likely contributor to price difference is country of origin and their relative native costs (Tema is Russian made vs FMU is US made).