Found my 4.8is!

[nom3rcy]

Yea I think if it was any worse I would have refused the car.

It was definitely frustrating, but overall I am still happy with the purchase.

On a side note - I had a couple of questions about your X.

First, where did you get those wheels? I found some reps on ebay that looked just like those, I think they are originally M5 wheels?

Second, when you recalibrated the suspension to the lower ride height, have you ever had any issues with it bottoming out or rubbing?

Third, did you buy a running board 'kit' that included the front fender flares? If so part number for the kit? I am looking to go that route soon

Thanks much!

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

Yea I think if it was any worse I would have refused the car.

It was definitely frustrating, but overall I am still happy with the purchase.

On a side note - I had a couple of questions about your X.

First, where did you get those wheels? I found some reps on ebay that looked just like those, I think they are originally M5 wheels?

Yup. I got them from ebay and they're M5 reps. They may not be available anymore. 20x9.5 all around but I run staggered tires (265 front & 295 rear).

Second, when you recalibrated the suspension to the lower ride height, have you ever had any issues with it bottoming out or rubbing?

Never bottomed out as in hit the road but scraped on the tires 3-4 times since the change. Only time it happens is when there's some crazy dip in the road that I didn't expect. But even then I have to be running highway speeds - never scrubbed when doing city driving.

Third, did you buy a running board 'kit' that included the front fender flares? If so part number for the kit? I am looking to go that route soon
Thanks much!

Yes. See below for more answers.

This thread should help but I went ahead and pasted the info. you need below too:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/58739-running-boards-flares-explained.html

4.6/4.8 – Aluminum Running Boards WITH Front and Rear Flares.

NOTE 1: Must buy the RB Retrofit Kit (51710017315) and the additional parts below which will REPLACE all your wheel arches.
NOTE 2: The Front and Rear Flares are DIFFERENT for vehicles with or without RBs.
NOTE 3: If you already have RBs, then you ONLY need the Front Flares below and 14 Blind Rivets (51717002953).
NOTE 4: You can choose to save money by re-using your REAR 4.6/4.8 Flares. See this thread: How to re-use rear flares

Part Number ------ Description --------------------- QTY
51 71 7 051 035 -- FLARED WHEEL ARCH, REAR LEFT ---- 1
51 71 7 051 036 -- FLARED WHEEL ARCH, REAR RIGHT --- 1
51 71 7 051 037 -- FLARED WHEEL ARCH, FRONT LEFT --- 1
51 71 7 051 038 -- FLARED WHEEL ARCH, FRONT RIGHT -- 1


So, buy RB retrofit kit part 51710017315 (see Note 1 above). The RB kit comes with new wheel arches that will work with the RBs BUT they are not flared! That's why, in addition, you need to buy whatever flares you want (assuming you want to keep the 4.6/4.8 look):

Rear Flares = see parts 51717051035 and 51717051036 above.
Front Flares = see parts 51717051037 and 51717051038 above.

Optional: Note 4 above.
You can save money by re-using your existing rear flares instead of buying new ones. Really it's modifying the new rear wheel arches that come with the RB kit to accept your old rear flares. Follow the link if interested.

Here's a link for install help:
Running Board Retrofit Kit Instructions

[nom3rcy]

Thanks guys - I will definitely use some sort of trim restore - thankfully most of the defects can be repaired with some elbow grease

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

...

Thanks for all the help - I will give those numbers to my parts guy tomorrow and see what he comes up with.

Are you satisified with the quality of those wheels? How about the weight compared to stock? I'm thinking of those for my winter set, seems like they'd do pretty well. I sawa them posted on ebay and a couple other sites so it seems they are still available.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

Are you satisified with the quality of those wheels? How about the weight compared to stock? I'm thinking of those for my winter set, seems like they'd do pretty well. I sawa them posted on ebay and a couple other sites so it seems they are still available.

Satisfied with weight and quality. Never cared about weight so don't know. Only thing I don't like is the tight space for the stud bolts/lugs. You'll want to use a thinwall socket if you want to avoid scratches inside the holes.

Please share the link to the wheels. Last time I checked none were available, at least the 20x9.5 size. I want to get a spare if not two.

BTW .. the set of four cost something like $1100-$1200. I hope they went down in price too.

[nom3rcy]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Satisfied with weight and quality. Never cared about weight so don't know. Only thing I don't like is the tight space for the stud bolts/lugs. You'll want to use a thinwall socket if you want to avoid scratches inside the holes.

Please share the link to the wheels. Last time I checked none were available, at least the 20x9.5 size. I want to get a spare if not two.

BTW .. the set of four cost something like $1100-$1200. I hope they went down in price too.

Here is a set - staggered but the rears are 20x9.5 et25 - 20 IN WHEELS FOR BMW 550,M5,545, 6,7 SERIES : eBay Motors (item 270519338074 end time Feb-20-10 21:22:37 PST)

[Piston]

very nice jealous...;-) Need a new one myself.

[cheappc]

Yea dont worry about the swirls (any used black car is gonna have them, i dont care, but if it has anything over 10,000 miles and its black its gonna have them).

I got a door ding too, I didnt notice it, till after I bought my X.

Faded trim pieces I have as well, I went to buy "back to black" at Kragen for trim it works exceptional, it just puts my trim back to black, just like new! wow!

Congrats, your car is beautiful!

[nom3rcy]

Uploaded some new pics!

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-mn-style.html

[nom3rcy]

These would be for winter tires - I'm looking for a non-staggered 20x9.5 so these are definitely in the running.

I am also considering buying another set of 4.8is wheels, and then mix and match for a set of 4 rears with 315s in the summer (a la the Dinan S3) and 4 fronts with 275 snow tires in the winter.

[LPMM]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

I am also considering buying another set of 4.8is wheels, and then mix and match for a set of 4 rears with 315s in the summer (a la the Dinan S3) and 4 fronts with 275 snow tires in the winter.

I think that would look good... but have you seen the potholes lately?