Style 177, with wheel arches (Pics now available).
 

Okay,

So I go to discount tire last night to get my wheels put on. So excited. I then travel over to my friends’ house to put on the retro-fit wheel arches. What a mistake.

My friend and I got 3 hours into it, only to find out that they use oversized, specialty, plastic pop-rivets to install the wheel arches. Had the whole bumper off and one wheel arch off. Had to abort after a trip to Home Depot, only to find out that the bit for the rivet gun we needed would have to be purchased at a specialty store. It is now 9:00pm, not going to happen.

We ended up using the 5 regular plastic rivets (ridged kind you push in) we had in the kit, just to barely put back on the stock wheel arch (we had to destroy the factory ones to pull it off), it takes 8 of the other kind. Hope it holds until I can get it in to the dealer.

It is totally a pain in the arse. You even have to CUT your factory bumper via a template just to put on two of the rear pieces.

All this just to be LEGAL! I would highly recommend just paying the dealer to put these in. Which now after all that wasted time, it looks like I am going to have to do.

And the arches don't even look that good!

My two cents.

Sorry to hear, post some pics when its complete

Will do. Car just to dirty right now. Looks kinda funny running new, clean, shiny wheels on a dirty car.

Retail on the OEM kit is $900.00 I can get you a fairly better deal though if you would like?

:xoutpost:

I have look closley at the 4.8is flares several times and can't find wear they are hiding the gold to make them cost $ 900.00. My BMW parts guy could not find the part #'s or he just got fed up with me asking. They look like there held on by double sided tape.

They actually replace the whole arch. You get the factory arch with the extender pieces snapped in permanetly. You would think that they are made of solid platinum for the price. I kept looking at them in the garage going $900.00, you have go to be kidding me. Again, if you would like I can check on price for you? Should be better than $900.00.

sorry to be a newbie
 

What is a wheel arch and why do you need it to be legal. I live in Virginia and I have never heard of this in an inspection....

FYI I just bought some 20' staggered wheels. Should I be concerned?

The wheel arch is basically a flare piece that widens the piece of plastic that goes around your wheel well. This makes it so that you don't end up throwing rocks up at peoples wind shields. If you look at a stock 4.8 or 4.6 with the 20s on you will see that they stick out further.

so are you adding the wheel arches for a look or to be LEGAL?

At first is was for looks. Then I saw them on and it is to be Legal. Some people like them some people don't. You decide. http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/10/bmwx506_03.jpg

What's "legal" have to do with add-on wheel arches?

Because if you don't have them you will throw up more rocks and mud onto peoples windshields.

State patrol up here are a bit anal.

Is there a difference in in the off set between the style 177 and 87 wheel that would require the wider wheel arch? Seems to a lot of folks here have added 20" style 87 wheels without replacing the rear wheel arch. I was planning on buying a set of 20" style 87's for my 01 X5, but not so sure I want to go to the wider wheel arch.

So where are the pictures? :)

I like the look of the rear set up on the 4.8si. I think the arces are sharp looking. The price is a little crazy (900.00 =/-). In Maryland the flares would be required to pass state inspection. I don't run with a front plate so I would install them for the look.

So, you are saying that adding a non-stock wheel or,
a slightly wider wheel/tire pkg forces you to add those
wheel arches? :confused:

How 'bout mudflaps? Are those req'd too?

Your cops must have some serious time on their hands
if they are chasing down cars with wheels that aren't
"tucked in".

I live in Virginia
 

I really hope that the state inspectors do not require wheel arches for my new 20's. If they try to give me a hard time, I will just tell them that these are the wheels that came with the car. I highly doubt they will give me any trouble.....

:iagree: But for states that require inspections, they might give you a hard time if the wheels/tires extended beyond the fenders. IMHO, $900 for a couple of arches, I would rather go without until I get a "fix-it" ticket that force me to do it.

dkl,
Just for another opinion, I called Nick at Morristown BMW and asked about wheel arches. He said that every customer that has bought wheel arches has done it for the look. He said that a state trooper or a state inspector would give you a hard time if you had a wrangler with really wide off roading tires. But an inspector looking at an X5 with upgraded OEM wheels would not blink twice.

He actually laughed when I suggested there was a legal reason for putting wheel arches.

:iagree:

The "legal ref" was a real reach and, maybe a good rationale
to get those arches. :rolleyes: :rofl:

$900 for a few plastic pieces definitely needs some serious justifications :rofl:

In MD the state boys say you only need mud flaps if the rear fender/bumper is above the center of the wheel. You are right that is a lot of money for the look. Also what would the dealer charge to install those flares.

Can someone who purchased these fender extenders provide the BMW part numbers or provide the location on this forum where they are provided?

Thanks for helping a newbie . . . .

Flares, rear left 51 71 7 051 035
Flares, rear right 51 71 7 051 036
Flares, front left 51 71 7 051 037
Flares, front right 51 71 7 051 038

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...52&hg=51&fg=95

Also check this thread for pics and more

Thanks for the P/N's and links LeMansX5.

After looking at OEM and reading the old thread, it looks like the flares only fit the 51 71 0 017 315 Aluminum running boards, or am I missing somthng here? I have put the 82 11 0 021 342 on my X5, which matched up to the original flares. I really don't want to replace my running boards to add these "cool" flares, so if your insight could be provided again, I'd be much appreciative.

Are you saying that you did not change wheel arches when you put running boards?

I did nott replace the wheel arches when I installed the "plastic" extended running boards. I will say that the match-up seam between the running boards and the current OEM fender flares do not match up that well. There is about a 1/4" gap in the seams, which exposes the inter-locking tongue between the transitions of the plastic parts (I'm sure your are completely confused - would a picture help?).

Will the 82 11 0 021 342 running boards work with the following flares?
Flares, rear left 51 71 7 051 035
Flares, rear right 51 71 7 051 036
Flares, front left 51 71 7 051 037
Flares, front right 51 71 7 051 038

TIA

THAT really blows
i don't like the arches, i'd go w/out but everyone has it's preferences
we'd like some pix though who cares if it's dirty show us some 177's :thumbup:

It is confusing. The part #s I listed include arches+flared extensions. Are you talking of sticking extensions on existing arches? there should not be any gap. Check my pics in other thread. Pictures will sure help.

LaMansX5 I checked out that link witch shows part # and price. Part # 51717051036 only shows front half of the extension/flare. On all of the 4.8si models I have seen it looks like a two piece rear flare and it is install without running boards. The running board kits needs that wheel arch for installation to work correctly. I'm not a fan of the BMW running boards. Do you have a source for or know where to look for the rear flares. Sorry if I'm running on my dealer has been know help with.

Is this what you're looking for?

No affiliation so, um, at your own risk....

GL! :thumbup:

The extension/flare part looks right. Do you think those are standard size running boards. Thanks

The part #s I listed is what i bought when I installed the OEM r/b. Had to ditch the arches in kit and buy the flared arches as shown below. They look like 2 pieces attached, but I bought as one piece.
http://home.comcast.net/~saykin/flares_4.jpg

LeMansX5, I think I've got a handle on this, which BTW is not that clear on pasts threads w.r.t. the same topic. The part numbers you provided, single unit flare+arches, work only with the aluminum running boards as shown on the OEM link you provided. New arches are required for the Al running boards since the transition between the the two units are completely different from what came with the vehicle originally. The pictures below may help.

Attachment 13045
Attachment 13046

This begs a new question, if I want to use the original OEM arches (plastic piece that runs along the wheel well lip, which is currently flush with the body panels), but want to add flares (plastic to extend/protrude from the body panels) can these be purchased separately? If so, can I extract BMW part numbers from RealOEM.com?

Thanks.

Was not aware that you are talking about non-OEM stick on r/bs. In that case there are different part #s for the set which you can find on realoem.com. See pic for flared arches without r/bs.
http://s113117221.onlinehome.us/Imag...2005_x009a.jpg

LeMansX5 - Thanks for your help. This should be the end of this thread.

For those of you who would like the wheel-well "arches+flares" that mate up with the OEM running boards (not aluminum), these are the parts you need to order:

COVER, WHEEL ARCH, FRONT LEFT: 51717049867
COVER, WHEEL ARCH, FRONT RIGHT: 51717049868
COVER, WHEEL ARCH, REAR LEFT: 51717049869
COVER, WHEEL ARCH, REAR RIGHT: 51717049870
BLIND RIVET: 51717002953


As seen here at RealOEM.com:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...23&hg=51&fg=20

Okay,

Whoa this thread got a lot of hits over the weekend. Here we go.

1) From what I understand there is a different part number for the arches if you have the running boards.

2) Will post pics later this afternoon. Came to work and a server was down so I had to deal with that first.

3) I am having the dealer install the wheel arches because you need a special pop rivet gun to install them and I don't feel like pulling the bumper off again. As well, if the dealer screws up my rear bumper (you have to cut it with a template to install the rear most part) they pay for it, not me.

4) Now that I have had them on for the weekend. I must say that I definitely want the flares on. The new wider wheels spray all sorts of crud onto the rear bumper.

5) Yes they are required by law. Will the cop cite you for not having them? Who knows, probably not. If he was being a jerk, he could. I have already had to replace my windshield once because of thrown up rocks. I don't want to do that to other people, although it would be nice for tailgaters.;)

Style 177 Pics (Dirty Girl)
 

Okay, You guys said you didn't care if she was dirty so here goes.

I still don't have the flares on. I am considering returning them and buying the body kit from the catalog. What do you guys think of that?


http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFo...5/CIMG0287.JPG

http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFo...5/CIMG0289.JPG



http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFo...5/CIMG0286.JPG

http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFo...5/CIMG0285.JPG

http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFo...5/CIMG0284.JPG

http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFo...5/CIMG0283.JPG

http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFolder/X5/Tweeked.jpg

http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFo...5/Tweeked2.jpg

http://www.djc.com/cust/ChristiansFo...5/Tweeked3.jpg

I see red X instead of pics.

i don't see anything

Sorry, I forgot to sync the servers over here. They should be up in just a second.

Okay, Check now.

Very Nice!!!

ooo...titanium trim everywhere...:thumbup:

Thanks, I was kind of unsure about the tailgate lift handle. Kind of looks like a mustach on its arse.

I'd skip both - they don't stick out at all! They look great!

Hey, why is she so dirty? ;) :nanana:

are those racks for looks? ...no pun intended...

or do you actually use them?

Looks nice! but you need flared wheel arches now.

I use them for snowboarding. Can't have the snowboard attachments on all the time or it wont clear my garage.

I have the arches in my garage. Haven't had a chance to put them on yet. Figured I would go when I get my next oil service in a couple of weeks.

I am considering returning the arches and buying the body kit.

Arches $900.00
Body Kit $1900.00
Clean ride with either... priceless.

Need one of them to be legal. Also, you will notice all the crud it kicks up onto my rear bumper.

She is so dirty because this is the first sunny day we have had in months. We got a boatload of snow. I did wash it on Friday but then went snowboarding on Saturday.

Dealer was supposed to wash it yesterday but lied about some kind of water problem.:(

Very nice!!!!

Body kit on black X5 is not that noticeable. Trust me, I have owned one.

I like the lower spoiler kit more than the aero kit

Any pics?

:kewlpics: I LOVE these two!!!

Thanks, though the second kind of looks like a giant car condom. :idhitit:

:bustingup

What's illegal about the way they are now?

Read a little further back in the thred.

I still don't see what the legal issue is. It can't be "because it'll throw up more rocks and mud on the cars behind you" - there has to be some sort of a "sticking out" measurement, and I think that is taken from the top of the tire, not the bottom.

Anyhow, I do like the looks of the flairs w/20" wheels, but I think they'll make your wheels look like they're under the car too much and next thing you know you'll want spacers (I know I would). Maybe in your case you'll need flares, spacers, and mudflaps to complete the look and performance you're looking for... :thumbup:

Nay, the flares will be just fine. It will look just like the stock 4.8is.