Decorative Skid Plate Installation Help

[Cisc0]

Greetings everyone,

So I purchased the Decorative Skid Plate @ ECS (its on sale) but it came with no hardware or instructions. I have searched the site and to my surprise there is no DIY. Can someone please share a link or any information as to what hardware I would need to install this.

Thank you in advance!

[mrbmwx5]

call me..

[Cisc0]

Thank youTom.

[redlinev8]

Hello All,

Bought a factory plate from the dealer. The installation kit came with visual instructions. Required drilling a 25/16 bit 10mm hole in the resin bumper.

I made the hole but can't understand what holds the rubber grommets in the hole. I mean it does not seem to be the expanding type of grommet. The other thing is that the grommet does not fit in all the way. Perhaps I did not drill deep enough.

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated!

[Clockwork]

not supppsed to fit all way in.
its a pressure fit rubber grommet.

[Kristophe]

Redlinev8, did you have to have yours painted? I'd like to get one as that front skid plate looks really sharp on an X.

[redlinev8]

Hello All,

Bought a factory plate from the dealer. The installation kit came with visual instructions. Required drilling a 25/16 bit 10mm hole in the resin bumper.

I made the hole but can't understand what holds the rubber grommets in the hole. I mean it does not seem to be the expanding type of grommet. The other thing is that the grommet does not fit in all the way. Perhaps I did not drill deep enough.

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated!

[redlinev8]

Hello Clockwork,

Thanks for the quick response. I am sorry...not familiar with these type of grommets. So, since it does not expand when I tighten the bolt, what actually holds the grommet in place? I am afraid to take off the adhesive tape and putting in the bolts since it seems like the grommets will pull right out and if they do and I have to take it apart, the adhesive tape will be worthless. These grommets seem to defy my logic. Thanks for any response that will help me get comfortable. Sorry for being a pain!.

Hello Kristophe,

Yes, I did have mine painted at a body shop. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably buy a few cans and do it myself. It cost me $80 and the guy never buffed it so it had a ton of rough areas. I told him to buff it with compound to get a smooth finish and he did it grudgingly saying that it won't even be visible. I told him that it may not be visible, but with it being rough it will catch a ton of dirt off the road. Just not a good experience. I think he sprayed it outdoors and painted over a ton of dust particles.

[Kristophe]

Yeah some Rustoleum metallic aluminum and fine steel wool maybe could give good results. Rustoleum even offers a metallic titanium silver in spray cans.

Good luck on the installation and hope those grommets end up making sense.

[redlinev8]

Ok everyone....This is how the grommets work. As you tighten screw into them, the cylindrical grommet starts to flatten like a washer to the point where it can no longer pass through the hole you drilled.

Basically the whole strength of the skidplate install is riding on the ability of the rubber to:

1. Remain flat and hold its position without any dry rot resulting from elements.
2. Remain attached to the brass cylindrical nut that is glued into the rubber.

Honestly, I was expecting better engineering from BMW. While the wow factor is there, the install gives me little confidence with respect to durability. With the skid plate being in the front of the car, I may go back and replace these stupid grommets with conventional stainless steel nut bolt combination with a few washers.

Now if you are hell bent on using the grommets, I would recommend something a hair smaller than the 25/64 drill bit. The tighter the grommet fits, the higher chance of this thing seating well. When you start tightening, go all the way and keep the pressure on the screw. I recommend a power driver set to its lowest torque setting and then immediately hand tighten. Don't leave a screw partially tightened thinking you will come back after doing the other two. More than likely, the darn thing will slide out before you have put in the next screw.

Overall, the fit of the skidplate is not BMW quality. The adhesive tape does not keep the sides secured to the bumper. I can see gaps on both corners. They look pretty crappy since you can see the adhesive tape has let go! Will post photos in a couple of days.

This is my 2nd disappointing purchase of a BMW factory accessory. The last one was my tow hitch which came with the wrong bolt heads (17mm instead of 16mm) The bolt cage on the receiver was made for 16mm!! Took some doctoring, but once installed hitch was fine.