Xoutpost.com - Running Boards & Flares Explained

Xoutpost.com (https://xoutpost.com/forums.php)

- X5 (E53) Forum (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/)

- - Running Boards & Flares Explained (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/58739-running-boards-flares-explained.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Sounds good! Especially any original BMW documentation (PDF, scanned, etc.) that someone has from past installs would be great!

Pics pics pics .. yeah definitely. I have no idea whats in those mounting parts kit (maybe they're not worth it?) so that would be nice. Template would be good in case someone just gets the parts and it doesn't come with it. I'll load it up and post links for all this stuff eventually.

Rivet gun ... Thats a good idea .. don't know why I didn't think about it already. BTW ... clarify something. Does the instructions call for metal rivets or you're just saying it needs a rivet gun - not actually a METAL rivet gun.

I was actually trying to stay away from the whole 4.6/4.8 conversion/kit as keeping the RB & flare combinations straight is work enough. :rofl:

Too many projects at the same time .... ayayai.

Thanks again for contributing to X5world!

In the small bag of goodies (mounting set) for the fender flare and bumper support trim (lower flares), there are some metal rivets included that will most likely require a metal rivet gun to install. The parts are needed to properly install the lower flares to the bumper cover (only after holes/slots are cut and drilled out of the plastic using templates)

I'll compile a bunch of pics/pdfs and send a PM to you so that you can recompile on this post. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nra0707

Hmm, that's a shame as that means if you already have the plastic rivet gun you need to get a metal rivet gun, right?

I wonder if you can use plastic rivets instead of the metal ones. Then you'd have to see if the plastic rivets are the correct size as the metal ones ... hmmm. :dunno:

Hi there my x does have rb's and i hace the chance of getting decond hand arch extensions but they are off an x that didnt have rb's. Would it be possible to fit these to my car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddyh747

Hi there my x does have rb's and i hace the chance of getting decond hand arch extensions but they are off an x that didnt have rb's. Would it be possible to fit these to my car.

Paddy you're killin me! The answer is no. However, I have heard (rumor) that people have tried to modify them to fit. I imagine it would NOT look too good. I would pass on it. Get the proper flares that's made for your RBs.

Good Luck!:thumbup:

The guy that has them said i can have them for free. But them again im hopefully buying his alpina rims off him. Ill take them and see what they are like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddyh747

The guy that has them said i can have them for free. But them again im hopefully buying his alpina rims off him. Ill take them and see what they are like.

Okay, didn't think this through but somehow that FREE got me thinking!

1) Front Flares: Somehow separate the front flare/extension off those and re-attach to your existing wheel arches - no problems with RBs since they're your wheel arches.

2) Rear Flares: Again, re-use the rear flare/extension off those and re-attach to your existing wheel arches. See this link: How to re-use rear flares

The lower bumper trim supports should go on w/o any modifications.

Wow .. see they might just workout afterall! :D

If you do use them please update us and post pics. Everyone is learning here everyday!

Good luck! :thumbup:

Cheers ill give it a go if i get them.

UK people - please help with "Lemans" style flares

Okay, was in another thread and availability of the Lemans style flare retrofit kit came up. The original thread is here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...heels-off.html

Here are some related posts from that thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmo

I also tried to fit genuine BMW rear "off-road" mudflaps but I was not happy with the appearance - my X5 has the "Sport Plus" package which means it has the 20" wheels with extra-wide wheel arch plastic trims. These prevent the mudflaps fitting properly. These wheel arch trims don't seem to be fitted to USA models - the guy at Chapman BMW in Scottsdale could not find them listed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Ah ha! You have those "LeMans" flares don't you. Please look here on the first post with pics and confirm that is what you are speaking of:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...explained.html

I wonder which of these is the case:
1) Guy at dealer just did not know the part#
2) Its not avaliable in the USA
3) Its available for special order but he just did not know the part#
4) Its been discontinued so not available anywhere.

Hmmm, I'm going to have to ask Craig of BMW of Bloomfield to help me with my research. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmo

Thanks, TwinsPoppa,
Yes, these arches appear to be called "Le Mans" flares in the USA. The "Sport Plus" package in the UK includes these and the 20" rims; the "Sport" package includes - amongst other things - the aluminium running boards. In fact, the Sport package includes quite a lot of extras. The reason the issue of the arch trims/flares popped up when I was at the US BMW dealer was that I was going to buy some rear mudflaps. I pointed out that I had these wider arch trims (I showed him a picture of mine) and so he told me ( quite correctly, as it turned out - see my previous post in this thread) that the rear flaps would not fit my car. He seemed intrigued by the wider arch trims/flares and said thay weren't used in the USA (they obviously were/are, as you have pointed out). Subsequently, I bought a rear mudflap kit here in the UK to see if I could get the flaps to fit but it did not look right. I would have needed to resort to some surgery to do it properly. I would be interested to know if anyone has fitted the OEM rear flaps to their X5 fitted with "Le Mans" flares!

Elmo ... a few clarifications:

The name "LeMans flares" and "LeMans Special Edition Front and Rear Flares Retrofit Kit" are not officially from BMW. I just used that as I wasn't sure what to call it to differentiate it from 4.6/4.8 flares.

BMW officially calls it "Flared Wheel Arch Retrofit Kit". That is just the flares. Below is a link that describes the LeMans Blue SE X5 and also packages like Sport Plus, Premium and Climate. As far as I know, the SE X5s and those packages were NOT available in the USA.

Special Edition BMW X5 Models

So, my original question still stands regarding the availability of the LeMans style retrofit kit:

1) Guy at dealer just did not know the part#
2) Its not available in the USA
3) Its available through special order but he just did not know the part#
4) Its been discontinued so not available anywhere.

UK X5 owners - Is the retrofit kit still avaliable currently?

Anyone can shed some light on these or elmos question about the mudflaps with lares?

Quote:

Originally Posted by X Foomph

................... ........ ..........................
....................... ........................

I have one little question please. Will the fact that I have rear mud flaps installed already require deleting them or can they be left on post installation of flares ??

Hi Jose,
I was trolling through ebay (Aust.) today and came across something that reminded me of you and the above question. It appears that their is an oem mud guard to go with the flares (middle and bottom RHS). Interesting thing is that the appropriate mud guard to go with flares looks nothing like what I have.

Also the flares on the 2nd X with the yellowed out number plate look completely different to yours and others, what gives ??

Quote:

Originally Posted by X Foomph

First, the X with the yellowed out plate is the same as in my first post under 3.0/4.4 – Aluminum Running Boards WITH LeMans Special Edition Style Front and Rear Flares Retrofit Kit.

See the last link on my post before your post. It will explain about the Euro only Special Edition X5s.

Second, those pics of the mudflaps look like they are rubber mud guards that were added. I don't know if those are OE or not. I have never seen them. I've only seen the kind that you have. So, yet ANOTHER mystery to be solved :rofl: