New X5 4.4 owner here

[DrewX5]

Just wanted to say hello to forum. As of a couple days ago, I am a proud new owner of a 2003 alpine white BMW X5 4.4 with navigation. This is my first BMW ever and I have to say I am very impressed. I bought the car mainly for my wife who is in love with it.
Every car I buy, I usually end up slightly modifying it. I like my cars to stand out just a bit from the stock look but not over the top. I hope to learn a lot from this board.

Here are a few questions that I have:

1. I like the new sport steering wheel with the thumb rest on the current 04-05 model. However, my X5 has a bunch of buttons that run vertically downward. Do I lose these button functions if I replace my steering wheel?

2. Thinking of getting the clear tails, sides, and headlights. Should I order the euro spec version or the US spec version. They look the same any difference?

3. Also thinking of getting the titanium kit (mirror trim, tailgate handle, and kidney grill) Anyone have this and does it look nice? I thought it would nicely match the aluminum running boards which I also plan on purchasing.

4. Should I get the painted skid plate or go with the brushed aluminum bar guard? Any fitment issues if I add the 4.6 kit. By any chance does anyone have pictures of this setup?

5. Does the 4.6 kit just include rear and front lips only? Thinking of adding the chrome exhaust tips..any issues with fitment or quality.

Is all this going to look ugly if I keep the 18inch stock wheels? I do plan on upgrading the wheels down the road to 19inch staggered.

Thanks in advance for all the help and any advice given!

[IFlyX5]

First, congrats on your new X5 and welcome to x5world!
Now to the questions:

1. If you like the steering wheel on the 04-05 model, prepare to shell out $600 for a new airbag and $350 for a new steering wheel. Or you can upgrade to the M5 steering wheel like most of us have done here and that will set you back $325 (call Crevier BMW for latest prices). And believe me, you WILL like the M5 steering better. If you insist on going with the 04-05 steering wheel, you just swap out your old wheel with the new one and won't lose any button functionality

4. BreytonX5's sig has the 4.8is front spoiler with the chrome bar guard. Check it out.

5. The 4.6is kit only includes the front and rear spoiler. You will have to add the rear fender flares and the square exhaust tips.

6. Get the OEM 20" rims. They look best on your X5, imho.

I hope the other members could help answer the rest of the questions for you.
Good luck and enjoy your X5!

By the way, here's a pic of the M5 steering wheel I had on my old 4.6is:

[DrewX5]

Thanks for the quick reply.

So the fender flares are an additional cost and not included in the 4.6 kit?
Do they sell just the oval square tips that will fit over my stock 4.4 exhaust? Does anyone have a part number for this?

I do not mind getting the M5 wheel if I can save on the cost. However, I have a picture of a steering wheel that is similar to my current steering wheel. As you can see there are additional buttons on the side. What happens to these buttons if I uprade to the M5 wheel? On the picture you posted there are no buttons running down the wheel?

[IFlyX5]

I can't really tell if you have the heated steering wheel button on your steering wheel, but if you DO, that is the only thing that you will not have on the new steering wheel. However, since you have the non-sport steering wheel, it's going to cost you an additional $500-600 for a new round airbag (see the pic in my last post).

The buttons are exactly the same on the M5 steering wheel, with the exception of the heated steering wheel button. They are just positioned differently than your standard steering wheel.

The 4.6is kit includes the front spoiler, rear spoiler, and 2 side caps for the rear spoiler. The rear fender flares actually consist of a total of 4 pieces: the upper flares (for both sides) and the lower flares that attach to the rear bumper. The part numbers for those are below:

COVER, WHEEL ARCH, REAR LEFT (51-71-7-049-869) ~ $200
COVER, WHEEL ARCH, REAR RIGHT (51-71-7-049-870) ~ $200
SUPPORT REAR LEFT BUMPER TRIM (51-12-7-046-919) ~ $135
SUPPORT REAR RIGHT BUMPER TRIM (51-12-7-046-920) ~ $135

You can get the oval square exhaust tips, but I am not sure if you can just weld them to your 4.4 exhaust w/out modifications. But you can check around with other members who have done this retrofit. The part number for the exhaust tip is:
OUTLET EXTENSION (18-10-7-512-709)

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by DrewX5

Thanks for the quick reply.

So the fender flares are an additional cost and not included in the 4.6 kit?
Do they sell just the oval square tips that will fit over my stock 4.4 exhaust? Does anyone have a part number for this?

I do not mind getting the M5 wheel if I can save on the cost. However, I have a picture of a steering wheel that is similar to my current steering wheel. As you can see there are additional buttons on the side. What happens to these buttons if I uprade to the M5 wheel? On the picture you posted there are no buttons running down the wheel?

Yes, the fender flares are an additional cost and not included in the 4.6 kit

They do not sell the tips that will fit over your stock 4.4 exhaust. You'll either have to weld on a set of 4.6is tips to your mufflers or else replace then entire muffler assembly.

You have the "square" airbag, so you will be replacing that no matter if you go with the 2004/2005 steering wheel or the pre-2004 M-wheel. As for the buttons on your wheel, the only one that will be an issue is if you have the heated steering wheel. The pre-2004 M wheel is not heated. I haven't heard of anyone retrofitting the 2004/2004 heated wheel into an older X5, but I guess it would be theoretically possible.

:welcome: to X5world !!

[DrewX5]

Thanks guys...you been very helpful.

I think I might have to wait on the steering wheel. I will keep my eye out for a round airbag. BTW, I do not have the heated steering wheel which in this case it good cause it will allow me to transfer all my buttons.

My other dilemna is I plan on ordering the 4.6 kit front and rear aprons. I understand that I will also have to include the 4 piece fender flares. However, if I also plan on installing the brushed aluminum running boards which does not work with rear fender flares.

In this case can I just install the 4.6 front and rear apron and the brushed aluminum running boards. I would like to install the fender flares in the rear but I do not think it will allow me to install all 4 pieces that make up the flares. Hmm..... any ideas on what I should do??

Also, do you guys think it would look ugly if I got the skid plate installed as well?

[rangerfan]

Originally Posted by DrewX5

Thanks guys...you been very helpful.

Welcome, and get used to it. These jokers are always helpful.

[doctodd]

Im interested in the front skid plate as well i think. I saw a black X5 like mine and it looked cool, but i wasnt sure what the thing was called.....just under the front grill. It sounds like a skid plate. Can anyone post or link me to a pic? I think it should at least give the car slightly better aerodynamics at highway speed, so maybe gas savings would offset the cost in the long run.

T

[pseto]

i'd like to see pics of the skid plate too. i've only seen what's in the BMW catalog. i doubt if anyone can quantify an aerodynamic savings b/c of it; its primarily for looks.

[asnpcwiz]

Welcome to the board bro, congrats on the new ride!!! Anyways, here's my opinions on your questions.

1 - Get the M5 steering wheel, it is much nicer...like IFly says it is.

2 - Clear lights are hot, love the look with all the amber and orange gone.

3 - The Titanium kit I'm still 50/50 about. I think it looks nice on certain cars, like black, silver, and the greys. I don't really like it on the reds and blues, and haven't seen one the whites. Sometimes I just don't think it goes well with the car. The trim around the mirror and the rear latch can seem out of place.

4 - I'm not a big fan of bar guard's on the BMW's. I think they look nice with the stock front on them.

5 - Already answered by IFly

Good luck with your choices...can't go wrong with what you do though, the car's a pretty amazing vehicle and you really can't go wrong either way.