In case anyone was wondering about the Decorative skid plate/OEM front lip options...

[Ricky Bobby]

(and don't laugh at me tmv, I should have bought yours but at the time I did not want to buy "fun mods" for my X when it needed repair work/money!)

Long story short, I found DTMDan supposedly the last item in the country a few months back, as I didn't have the funds to buy since I was still dealing with my wheel bearing/air suspension/alignment issues. I inquired last week to Tischer (GetBMWParts) about a "backorder status" on the part, and surprisingly enough they emailed me and told me they had one in stock. I was apprehensive, but ordered, and it went through the weekend only to get my order cancelled this morning, telling me as I already knew that the part was no longer available. I guess they did not update their inventories since DTMDan bought his some months ago, which I found odd, but confirmed my earlier suspicions as I thought it was too good to be true that they suddenly had another part "sitting in the corner of their warehouse".

So this afternoon, to get the final word, I had James @ ECS kindly run an international supply inquiry for the Discontinued Front Decorative Skid Plate for the E53, and not only are they gone in the USA, but Canada, Mexico, and Overseas supply is also depleted. The part is gone completely and will never be made again.

The members that have them, good job, you officially own an extremely rare piece of body work that makes a nice difference to the front end of the non-iS models. I was hoping to score one overseas or from Canada but alas, all my cards are played.

Guess I'll start saving for the 4.6 kit, or wait until someone with the Decorative skid plate feels like selling their car and parting it out!

Just FYI, it was this piece for those who don't know (shown on tmv's old car):

[bcredliner]

Might be something to see a metal fabricator about. Might be cheaper than you would have paid if you had found the real thing.

[epdarks]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Might be something to see a metal fabricator about. Might be cheaper than you would have paid if you had found the real thing.

OE piece is plastic. Not functional as a skid plate, just decorative.

RB, I bet you can find one if you keep browsing ebay, forums, and craigslist.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by epdarks

OE piece is plastic. Not functional as a skid plate, just decorative.

RB, I bet you can find one if you keep browsing ebay, forums, and craigslist.

I know it is plastic--sheet metal is not functional either. I was just offering another potential route to explore if OP would like to do so, no different than you did.

[Kristophe]

If I had one I'd use it to make a simple mold and then make fiberglass versions. I'd be rich!

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by epdarks

OE piece is plastic. Not functional as a skid plate, just decorative.

RB, I bet you can find one if you keep browsing ebay, forums, and craigslist.

Been browsing literally for months, keep your eyes peeled for me if you can.

Most of the E53 guys that have them, end up keeping them (tmv was an exception when he sold his car), craigslist I'll try as well but feel like I'd have even less luck than ebay.

All that's on ebay for E53 right now is the 4.6 kit (fiberglass) from the guys from Latvia. I'd rather have ABS plastic on the front lol. Thanks though man I'll keep my eyes peeled, maybe I'll get lucky someday!


And yes someone should buy the mold for this and put the pieces back into production! I feel like all E53's (non iS) should have came with this piece IMO

[epdarks]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I know it is plastic--sheet metal is not functional either. I was just offering another potential route to explore if OP would like to do so, no different than you did.

My bad

[epdarks]

Doing some googling and it seems some places show them as in-stock. BMW Parts and Accessories

GL!

[Ricky Bobby]

I ordered through Morristown just for giggles (and that I live 20 mins away from there) but I'm sure its gone. A lot of the dealer sites always say in stock but they are liars! (as I've come to find)

I put "local pickup" in the order so I didn't even need to submit a CC lol!

[epdarks]

Hey RB, you got a part number for that piece?