ECS Tuning 3.0d Special Edition flares

[Cjallstar]

Hey all,
I know there have been many threads on this and I have gone through them all so I will cut to the chase. I have decided to put flares on my 2006 4.4 and want to go with the lemans/3.0d special edition style as I have no plans to add a 4.8is kit. I see that ECS offers these flares (BMW E53 X5 N62 4.4L > Exterior > Body > ES#127309 Fender Flare Retrofit Kit - 51710398336). Has anyone bought these flares from ECS and fitted them? What was your experience? Did you DIY and if so how difficult was it?

Also, I am wanting to swap out/paint the lower front bumper grilles from black to titanium to match the upper kidneys. ECS also offers these grilles pre-painted for a grand total of about $250. What do you guys think? Buy them from ECS? Paint my black ones myself? Pay to have them painted?

One last question. If and when I add the flares, I am considering adding spacers to give my OEM style 87's more poke. Would adding these spacers affect my driving experience whatsoever and would the $tealer have any issue regarding warranty if they saw I had them fitted?

Thanks in advance

[nom3rcy]

Although minimal, spacers will put more leverage on the suspension bushings, shocks and bearings. One could maybe argue that they could ccause other items to fail, but for the most part I think you should be ok.

I'd like to add the front flares to my X5 but don't want to buy the whole kit to do it.

Anyone want to go halves on the kit and just add rear flares to their truck?

[fmugur]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

Although minimal, spacers will put more leverage on the suspension bushings, shocks and bearings. One could maybe argue that they could ccause other items to fail, but for the most part I think you should be ok.

I'd like to add the front flares to my X5 but don't want to buy the whole kit to do it.

Anyone want to go halves on the kit and just add rear flares to their truck?

Would the rear fit the pre facelift models or that's a different kit?

[Cjallstar]

Anyone bought the set from ECS and installed them?

[nom3rcy]

Originally Posted by fmugur

Would the rear fit the pre facelift models or that's a different kit?

I believe they are the same

[huntertec]

I fitted SE flares to my X 05 model which I purchased from Kelowna BMW in Canada, the part # you have quoted is the same so I'm guessing they are the same. Fitting is easy, no special tools required I simply enlargened the hole in my rivert tool to take the large plastic riverts. What is a pain in the butt however is fitting the small tips that fit onto the bumper, I think the best way is to remove it to get a more professional job. Typical dumb design which could have been so easy to fit, they do some things so well but others leave me wondering. Hope this helps.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

Although minimal, spacers will put more leverage on the suspension bushings, shocks and bearings. One could maybe argue that they could ccause other items to fail, but for the most part I think you should be ok.

I'd like to add the front flares to my X5 but don't want to buy the whole kit to do it.

Anyone want to go halves on the kit and just add rear flares to their truck?

You can buy the front flares separately (with or w/o RBs). Just look here for the correct part numbers.

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

[pnoyako85]

the rivets....how do you take it out?....do you drill into them in the middle?.....

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by pnoyako85

the rivets....how do you take it out?....do you drill into them in the middle?.....

Easier to use wire cutters. Just work it under the rivet and cut-off. Simple and quick.

[pnoyako85]

i see...so basically destroy the old rivets and put te new ones on..lol.