Weathertech vs. BMW OEM Floorliners

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by z2g

From that picture of the BMW liners, the medial wall/side only goes up as high as regular all-weather mats. I wonder if the WT liners for the X5 are similar.

The picture on the Weathertech website shows higher sidewalls to the liners than the BMW OEM ones:

WeatherTech Automotive Accessories - FloorLiner? DigitalFit ® - 2010 BMW X5 - WeatherTech FloorLiner - car floor mats liner, floor tray protects and lines the floor of truck and SUV carpeting from mud, snow, water and dirt

(To get the pictures #1 and #2 I am referring to, you need to select "1st Row" under the "select an item" pull-down menu)

Note that picture #2 with the higher sidewalls is labeled "BMW X5," while picture #1 with the lower sidewalls is labeled "Representative Fit." From the pictures I have seen, it seems like Weathertech went for more protection, but perhaps poorer appearance, while BMW went for the appearance by having the sidewalls lower. It certainly looks like BMW is sourcing their OEM liners from Weathertech (they have in the past); however, they probably insist as part of the contract that the ones Weathertech sells under their own name be somewhat different.

[jaaX3]

I agree, it looks like these are the same liners (BMW & WT). The logos are in the same spot, and the lines in the mat are the same, the shape is pretty similar, too. The WT pictures look just like my BMW mats. I'll take some pics.

[LPMM]

I'd be very surprised if they do not come from the same source. They look identical except for the stick/glue on logo. Here is a pic of the E53 version and the side does come up relatively high. I think on the other pics it may appear lower due to the angle.

[jaaX3]

The only difference I can see is the WT logo is longer, and the eyelets are in a slightly difference place.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by jaaX3

The WT pictures look just like my BMW mats. I'll take some pics.

Some pictures would be great! I'm particularly interested in the difference in the height of the sidewall of the transmission hump on the driver's side -- it appears that is the major difference between the Weathertech and the BMW OEM. Well, that and the fact that the Weathertech 2nd row mat is a single piece that covers the center hump area, while the BMW OEM is two individual mats.

I'm leaning towards the Weathertech if it really does have higher sidewalls, but I am a bit reluctant to order from them. The owner does write a really good letter about buying American products and other "Down Home" things, but if you read their website they are rather vague about their return policy. And for good reason it seems. According to another poster, if Weathertech sends you a product that doesn't fit well due to their design, the return policy is that you pay postage to return it, you pay the postage that it took to send it to you, and then you also pay a 20% re-stocking fee. So if I bought a liner set and a cargo liner for roughly $300 and wanted to return it, I'd be out about $100 net if they didn't fit well.

[z2g]

Originally Posted by Penguin

Some pictures would be great! I'm particularly interested in the difference in the height of the sidewall of the transmission hump on the driver's side -- it appears that is the major difference between the Weathertech and the BMW OEM. Well, that and the fact that the Weathertech 2nd row mat is a single piece that covers the center hump area, while the BMW OEM is two individual mats.

I'm leaning towards the Weathertech if it really does have higher sidewalls, but I am a bit reluctant to order from them. The owner does write a really good letter about buying American products and other "Down Home" things, but if you read their website they are rather vague about their return policy. And for good reason it seems. According to another poster, if Weathertech sends you a product that doesn't fit well due to their design, the return policy is that you pay postage to return it, you pay the postage that it took to send it to you, and then you also pay a 20% re-stocking fee. So if I bought a liner set and a cargo liner for roughly $300 and wanted to return it, I'd be out about $100 net if they didn't fit well.

I'm going to order the WT digital fit liners in the next few weeks for my X5. If you can wait, I'll let you know when I get them.

[nunofernandes]

i got the weathertech Floorliner DigitalFit, they look and fit great in my '08 X5. got the front and the rear, haven't gotten the truck liner yet. Maybe soon.

[tpollard95124]

Originally Posted by stockguru

I went with the BMW Floorliners. You can see pictures on their website:
BMW Accessories - 2010 X5 xDrive 30i SAV:All Weather Floor Liners

Here are my thoughts:

1) The 2nd row passenger is perfect, covers the whole area, no complaints.
2) The driver side is terrible. It is constantly moving and gets in the way of the gas pedal, not allowing me to punch the gas the way I want.
3) The liners hold up really well to water, but if you get it really dirty, it is hard to completely wash clean. I bought grey ones and they show a little dirt even when fully washed/detailed. I would recommend getting black.
4) Not sure about the weathertech, but the BMW one has a nice BMW logo on the driver and passenger side for a nice touch.

I just compared the pictures from the BMW site linked on this post, to a picture of the WT liners included in the Bavarian Autosport holiday special flyer I just received. The grooves, lines, and logo placement look to be indentical to me, so I would bet a dollar that they are made by the same manufacturer.

[Diesel Esq]

I received my Weathertech Floor Liners yesterday and installed them last night. I am not in a position to yank them out and take a picture, but they are identical to the picture of the BMW liners above except for the BMW logo (has the WT logo). They are undoubtedly made by WT. I have the two front liners and the 2nd row liners and I also have the cargo area liner. All fit very well. I have the tan color. For the record, I have a 2010 X5d that is ten days old.

[whyireef]

I have all three rows of Weathertech Floor Liners for my '09 35d and after six months of using them, I don't regret the purchase. The fit well; they hold up well; they clean up well; and they protect the carpet underneath! I'd buy them again.