Running Boards & Flares Explained

[X5 Meister]

Hey Twinspoppa, man am I confused! The link shows a guy's X5 with rear flares and no 'is diffuser (since he's got a 4.4), but as far as I can tell the flares look EXACTLY the same as the ones you have. Do you have the Le Mans version?

[blueagle]

Twinspoppa,

Nice detailed explanation...Just one question, which ones would fit an 02 E53 X5 3.0d euro ?

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Hey Twinspoppa, man am I confused! The link shows a guy's X5 with rear flares and no 'is diffuser (since he's got a 4.4), but as far as I can tell the flares look EXACTLY the same as the ones you have. Do you have the Le Mans version?

Boy you ARE confused today!

The LeMans kit is ONLY flares no rear diffuser like the 4.6/4.8, no front bumper/valance panel/spoiler either.

Look carefully at my pics and that link - at the lower part of the REAR flares. See how it wraps UNDER the wheelwell? The 4.6/4.8 does not do that it just goes straight down. If you put it on w/o the rear diffuser from the 4.6/4.8 it wouldn't look quite right. Thats the only piece thats different from any other 4.6/4.8 lower bumper support trim.

That retrofit kit is really for people who are NOT gonna put the rear diffuser from the 4.6/4.8 but want flares and still not look like its missing something.

Still confused? Tell me no, please?

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by blueagle

Twinspoppa,

Nice detailed explanation...Just one question, which ones would fit an 02 E53 X5 3.0d euro ?

All the 3.0/4.4 options would fit, year does not matter. As a matter of fact there's no difference, as far as fitment, between ANY X model. Its just that I broke it down based on your model (meaning base model you're starting with) then what you want to end up with. That option will tell you what you need taking into consideration what you have already installed.

So, if you have a 3.0d look at the 3.0/4.4 options and pick what you want to end up with.

For example:
If you want to end up with the LeMans type flares AND RBs then go to the section "3.0/4.4 – Aluminum Running Boards WITH LeMans Special Edition Style Front and Rear Flares."


Now lets say you ALREADY have RBs now, you STILL go to this section because thats what you want to end up with. Thats why I have notes under each section for each possible variation. For example, for that section you would pay special attention to NOTE #2 (see below):


NOTE 1: Must buy the RB Retrofit Kit (51710017315) and LeMans Special Edition Front and Rear Flares Retrofit Kit (51710398336 - contents listed below).

NOTE 2: If you already have RBs, then you ONLY need the LeMans Special Edition Front and Rear Flares Retrofit Kit (51710398336).

NOTE 3: The LeMans Special Edition Front and Rear Flares Retrofit Kits are DIFFERENT for vehicles with or without RBs.


NOTE #1 would be for people that don't have anything installed currently. So, they need to get all the stuff.

NOTE #3 is just a warning that part#s, for each part or kit, are based on if you have RBs or not. So, if you don't want to end up with RBs - you're in the wrong section, obviously!

So, does that clear it up a little more? Please don't be afraid to ask.

[X5 Meister]

Pretty clear. Let me tell you what is confusing as written..

1. Are you are saying that the only difference with the LeMans kit is that the rear flares wrap underneath a non-diffuser bumper? B/C the write up seems to imply that the LeMans kit has a different FRONT as well as rear flare when you say "LeMans Special Edition Style Front and Rear Flares"

2. Is it correct to say that if you have an 'is model (obviously with rear diffuser) you CANNOT use the LeMans kit?

3. There seem to be 2 options for people with 3.0/4.4 models that do not have the rear diffuser of the 'is models. Those options are the 4.8 style flares OR the LeMans flares. What you should point out is that if you do not have the diffuser, the 4.8 style flares will look stupid (I am correct) and you should install the LeMans flares unless you plan on eventually installing the diffuser which in that case you need to install the 4.8 style flares because the LeMans flares will be incompatible (assuming #2 above is correct as written). Are these true statements?

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Pretty clear. Let me tell you what is confusing as written..

1. Are you are saying that the only difference with the LeMans kit is that the rear flares wrap underneath a non-diffuser bumper? [Yes] B/C the write up seems to imply that the LeMans kit has a different FRONT as well as rear flare when you say "LeMans Special Edition Style Front and Rear Flares" [I can see how someone can assume that. However, the front and rear flares are in a kit. So, to this end I added the words "retrofit kit" to the section title. Thanks for pointing that out.]

2. Is it correct to say that if you have an 'is model (obviously with rear diffuser) you CANNOT use the LeMans kit?
[I made an assumption, correctly or incorrectly, that someone with a 4.6/4.8 would not want to buy the LeMans retrofit kit. IF that different rear bumper support FITS with the diffuser, which I don't know, someone could just buy those parts and not the whole kit (assuming its available separately). Do you think I should add those options w/o really knowing?]

3. There seem to be 2 options for people with 3.0/4.4 models that do not have the rear diffuser of the 'is models. Those options are the 4.8 style flares OR the LeMans flares. What you should point out is that if you do not have the diffuser, the 4.8 style flares will look stupid (I am correct) and you should install the LeMans flares unless you plan on eventually installing the diffuser which in that case you need to install the 4.8 style flares because the LeMans flares will be incompatible (assuming #2 above is correct as written). Are these true statements? [That's why I made this the first statement:

"First, this is not the end-all/be-all for running boards and flares, etc. For example, I didn't list parts for 4.6/4.8 spoilers/diffusers - there's already an article on this."

I will add some more notes to make it even more idiot-proof per your suggestion. However, a person must do their own due-diligence.]

Thank you for your comments. See above.

[KingCon]

Great write-up, Thanks!

[X5 Meister]

Thanks for the clarifications. I agree with your point # 2, better not without knowing for certain.

Can you also post the link to the 4.6/4.8 spoilers/diffusers in your 1st post.

[nra0707]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Sure and thanx ahead of time! Any contributions are welcome!

All contributors will be properly acknowledged and hopefully this will be accepted as an article for the homepage once its submitted.

I'm looking for pic contributors. Obviously, I can use some of my pics but it would be nice to have different ones. Also, I don't have every model X ya know!

I may be able to contribute some pics of the rear diffuser, mounting parts set, and the install instructions and template for the arches and rear support trim (no-RBs). I bought these parts last year, but haven't installed them yet...still missing some rivets and haven't bought the Rivet guns (the rear mounting parts seem to need a metal rivet gun). Perhaps you could include those two items (plastic & metal rivet guns) to the list.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by nra0707

I may be able to contribute some pics of the rear diffuser, mounting parts set, and the install instructions and template for the arches and rear support trim (no-RBs). I bought these parts last year, but haven't installed them yet...still missing some rivets and haven't bought the Rivet guns (the rear mounting parts seem to need a metal rivet gun). Perhaps you could include those two items (plastic & metal rivet guns) to the list.

Sounds good! Especially any original BMW documentation (PDF, scanned, etc.) that someone has from past installs would be great!

Pics pics pics .. yeah definitely. I have no idea whats in those mounting parts kit (maybe they're not worth it?) so that would be nice. Template would be good in case someone just gets the parts and it doesn't come with it. I'll load it up and post links for all this stuff eventually.

Rivet gun ... Thats a good idea .. don't know why I didn't think about it already. BTW ... clarify something. Does the instructions call for metal rivets or you're just saying it needs a rivet gun - not actually a METAL rivet gun.

I was actually trying to stay away from the whole 4.6/4.8 conversion/kit as keeping the RB & flare combinations straight is work enough.

Too many projects at the same time .... ayayai.

Thanks again for contributing to X5world!