roof rail delete questions

[JCL]

On the 530xiT M-sport, BMW deletes the factory roof rails (which look pretty much like the X5 rails). This isn't a factory mod, it is done at the delivery centre or at the dealer. I would look for the plugs for that model, and see what the dealer can find. If that approach works, post and let us know.

[wees1234]

I need to change my brakes this friday at the dealer. I will ask them if they have the plug sizes or if they sell the actual plugs. But please, if anybody could find out before friday i would appreciate it.

[legion]

Spoke to BMW UK, The factory fitted car without roof rails is not plugged. If you choose this option they just dont drill the holes.

There is no proprietary retro kit for removal of the roof rail made by BMW.

[wees1234]

Does anybody know the exact sizes, and quantity for each size for the plugs needed to cover the holes left by the roof rails?

[adrian.b]

I just tried to remove the screws but they were fast solid.. Before I go and snap something, do they turn anti clockwise just like other screws to come out?

If the holes that are left dont enter the car`s inside, then I might just find a right size dowel, paint it and plug it...

I`m up for this mod.

[wees1234]

I'm with you adrian, but i heard that the screws are held very tightly in place so taking them out is the hardest part about removing the roof rails. I just dont want to remove them yet because i do not know the exact plug sizes and it is raining here in michigan so i do not want to risk water entering into the holes and possibly rusting. If i could just find out the exact sizes, i would remove them now.

[AlpineMsix]

Originally Posted by wees1234

I'm with you adrian, but i heard that the screws are held very tightly in place so taking them out is the hardest part about removing the roof rails. I just dont want to remove them yet because i do not know the exact plug sizes and it is raining here in michigan so i do not want to risk water entering into the holes and possibly rusting. If i could just find out the exact sizes, i would remove them now.

I went to Lowes(used to be Eagle Hardware & Garden), Home depot didnt have anything.

And the sizes i found useful were 11/16 plastic hole plugs(which are the bigger holes) and one size smaller from that for the smaller holes.

There are 8BIG HOLES(11/16 plug size), two right by each other. AND 1smaller hole on each side. LISTED BELOW(im better wit pics then words)

Here is a link to the hole plugs that i used.They are nylon(plastic) hole plugs.As you can see 11/16 is listed up there IM NOT GOOD WIT FRACTION so whatever fraction is one smaller from 11/16 thats the one u want for the TWO SMALLER HOLES.
http://www.mrgusa.com/pdfs/9hbutton.pdf

picture of where/and what holes are wherer

[nupe10123]

Please show a close-up of how the newly plugged holes look. Are the flush to the metal so that you can't see or feel them?

Personally I'm not a big fan of this mod (takes away from an optional storage functionality and makes it look more wagon like - IMO), but I am quite curious.

[chubyball]

I was going to drill the roof rail so I can install the cross bar.

[wees1234]

Originally Posted by imola4.8isWA

I went to Lowes(used to be Eagle Hardware & Garden), Home depot didnt have anything.

And the sizes i found useful were 11/16 plastic hole plugs(which are the bigger holes) and one size smaller from that for the smaller holes.

There are 8BIG HOLES(11/16 plug size), two right by each other. AND 1smaller hole on each side. LISTED BELOW(im better wit pics then words)

Here is a link to the hole plugs that i used.They are nylon(plastic) hole plugs.As you can see 11/16 is listed up there IM NOT GOOD WIT FRACTION so whatever fraction is one smaller from 11/16 thats the one u want for the TWO SMALLER HOLES.
http://www.mrgusa.com/pdfs/9hbutton.pdf


picture of where/and what holes are wherer

Thank you so much imola. Very helpful and awesome member. I should be done with this mod tomorrow if everything goes right.