E70 Headliner Removal /X5M Roof Rails Railing Install - DIY

[trashheap]

Awesome write up. Did you have to code the car with option S386A ? I am assuming there is no reason to as nothing electronic is part of the rails that I can tell from your pictures. Has anyone run into having to drill the holes out? Mine is a 2010 E70 Diesel and after traveling this week for Thanksgiving I realized how much I could use rails to carry more stuff on the roof. Since I didn't get the rail kit when I ordered I am wondering how much drilling I will need to do. Anyone run into this?

[adamt]

Originally Posted by trashheap

Awesome write up. Did you have to code the car with option S386A ? I am assuming there is no reason to as nothing electronic is part of the rails that I can tell from your pictures. Has anyone run into having to drill the holes out? Mine is a 2010 E70 Diesel and after traveling this week for Thanksgiving I realized how much I could use rails to carry more stuff on the roof. Since I didn't get the rail kit when I ordered I am wondering how much drilling I will need to do. Anyone run into this?

No coding needed as nothing electrical is involved.
I doubt you would have to do any drilling at all. There are not that many cars that come with rails-delete option so it would make no sense for the factory to re-tool production line just to accommodate these select few. I think all trucks got holes pre-drilled and it is the rubber seal strip that is different.

[gtiownr]

Great write-up and great info in this thread. Thanks all, I will be doing this retrofit to my X5 with the low profile black rails.

I have an 09/09 Build E70 X5 35d without roof rails. I just verified that the roof is pre-drilled. Just uses different clips, 6 ea (L&R), p/n: 51137073399

#7 at Real OEM: RealOEM.com * BMW E70 X5 3.5d Roof moulding/Roof rail

[smuggymba]

Originally Posted by gtiownr

Great write-up and great info in this thread. Thanks all, I will be doing this retrofit to my X5 with the low profile black rails.

I have an 09/09 Build E70 X5 35d without roof rails. I just verified that the roof is pre-drilled. Just uses different clips, 6 ea (L&R), p/n: 51137073399

#7 at Real OEM: RealOEM.com * BMW E70 X5 3.5d Roof moulding/Roof rail

gtiowner - I also have a 35d without any roof rails. Can you post you DIY steps? Did you just remove the headliner? Thanks

[diner3]

Looks Great! Do you have all the part number necessary. Molding, nuts, clips?

Thanks
Nick

[wsmeyer]

I completely deleted mine with OEM parts. I'll look through my receipts and see if I can make a list but as I remember it was around $350 total.

[X5ists]

Originally Posted by wsmeyer

I completely deleted mine with OEM parts. I'll look through my receipts and see if I can make a list but as I remember it was around $350 total.

looks good bro, what year is your X, did you install spacers on your wheels. I like the stance

[wsmeyer]

Originally Posted by X5ists

looks good bro, what year is your X, did you install spacers on your wheels. I like the stance

Thanks. It's a 2008 4.8i. Spacers are 25mm front, 30mm rear. H&R kit lowered it 2" front, 1.25" rear. Ride is a bit harsher then I'd like so at some point I'm going to the 1" kit.

I couldn't decide if I wanted the rims silver or black so I did them black with plasti-dip to see if I liked it. That was over a year ago and there still aren't any knicks so not sure if I'll ever get them powder coated or not.

[wsmeyer]

For the OEM roof rail delete you need:

1x 51137250398 - roof molding right
1x 51137250397 - roof molding left
12x 51137070747 - rail clips

Here's a link to what you need on ECS: https://www.ecstuning.com/Cart/?add1...tent=link2cart

Getting the headliner out is the only difficult part so if the DIY looks like something you can tackle don't sweat the rest.

**EDIT

I'm rackiing my brain trying to remember how the holes get sealed. I really don't remember at this point but at the time I wasn't at all worried about it leaking so there must have been something. It's been in plenty of rain and snow since and I've never seen any indication of leaking.

[RllyDrvrIX]

Originally Posted by wsmeyer

I completely deleted mine with OEM parts. I'll look through my receipts and see if I can make a list but as I remember it was around $350 total.

This is exactly where I'm headed with my X5!

Looks great!