Aluminum running board / side step from eBay

[SlickGT1]

Mango thanks for the feedback. I think I am going the same route, for that difference, it's not worth screwing around for.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Hi Jose,
Can you elaborate what flares you purchased? Doesn't the kit come with the flares? Or did you go with something special? Thanks.

Sure, that's one of the reasons I made that post containing info. on flares AND RBs. It can get confusing.

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


Main thing to remember is that the pieces that come with the regular RB retrofit kit, called wheel arches, are just replacement pieces that are exactly like what 3.0/4.4 vehicles have - they are not flares like the rear on 4.6/4.8. The difference is that they will connect to the RBs.

Usually you have to buy the flared wheel arches separately.

However, IIRC, there are other RB kits that come with flared wheel arches but they are for the Special Edition X5s (LeMans, etc). The rear bumper support flares are different from the standard 4.6/4.8 on those.

That's why if you are considering RBs and/or flares, plan your upgrade carefully. You don't want this scenario happening to you:

1. You want flares for your 3.0/4.4 so you buy them for all four corners.
2. Later you want RBs and go to buy them. If you buy the standard retrofit kit, yes it has replacement wheel arches - but NOT the flared versions.
3. Guess what - you have to buy all new FLARED arches that will work with those new RBs you just bought. Ouch!

Better to have bought the flares AND RBs at the same time so you don't have to re-buy anything.

Or if you can't afford it all, buythe RB kit FIRST and leave the flares for later. The reason is because the RB kit comes with the replacement wheel arches that work with the RBs. Then when you can spring for flares. Buy them and replace the ones that came with the kit - just make sure you get the right version of the flares.

Hopefully everyone can see that any wheel arch (whether non-flared or flared version) comes in TWO versions - for non-RB equipped and for RB equipped vehicles.

The different relationships of flares/non-flares and RB/non-RB equipped combinations are in the link.

[SlickGT1]

So to make it clear for me, I need to get this kit, and the 4.8 flares? Mine is a 4.8is. So the kit will need the flares in addition, correct?

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

So to make it clear for me, I need to get this kit, and the 4.8 flares? Mine is a 4.8is. So the kit will need the flares in addition, correct?

You have several options (see below). All of these includes you buying the RB Retrofit Kit (51710017315). Then you need to decide on flares.

A) Simplest is buy new replacement rear flares that will fit the RBs.
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

B) If you want to save a little money, you can RE-USE your old rear flares. That's what I did. Here's a DIY.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ar-flares.html

OPTIONAL:
If you want the FRONT flares (not stock on a regular 4.6/4.8), then buy the following parts that work with RBs.

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

The front flares can be left for a later time. The RB kit comes with matching replacement front wheel arches (unlike the rear which is flared).

[SlickGT1]

Wow Jose great thread. Now there is a bunch of things I didn't know. Thanks for clearing that up. Can't wait to order these. Thanks again, and the link. Now all I need is to find your how to on installing them.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

B) If you want to save a little money, you can RE-USE your old rear flares. That's what I did. Here's a DIY.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ar-flares.html

My ARB were $690 almost exactly one year ago from Bloomfield's EBay listing and doing a bid process. Don't worry about the picture showing an X3 running boards on the auction. They're X5 boards and the X5 part.

Using the old flares is exactly what I did last year. Then thanks to Twins Poppa I found his thread! I can not see a reason- other than maybe your OE flares are faded- not to do this yourself. It's so easy and no one can tell anything different.

I wish we had a solid DIY on the whole process. I got lazy after installing them. It is VERY easy to do. I love the look.


I took pics in another post, but I will attach them and the text for posterity here:



See the miss mark below? Like they manually cut it and started a bit soon!



I have since uploaded some pictures from the assembly portion of this retrofit. The factory flare, removed from the wheel arch:



A close up of a peg. (You can see where the clip notches on):



The factory flare clipped on to the new wheel arch (You can see where the hole can be larger than the clip. As long as the clip has something to clip TO and put pressure against, it's all good):

[SlickGT1]

Very nice pics. I understand how it works now. Seems easy enough to do with a dremel. Thanks again.