Running Boards
 

I am contemplating getting them for aesthetical as well as practical reasons. Since I installed my Thule rack I find myself using the stock running boards to climb up when loading. Are the aluminum ones wider for a larger surface area or the same exact dimensions? Tho for $700 prob not worth it. New extended fender flares would look great with my 87's however... Anyone have before after pics of fenders? The plastic on mine has faded too.

The aluminum running boards protrude out another 1.5 inch I believe. They look great. All together the flares and boards r around 1000. Look for pricing at ecstuning or getbmwparts. Pull the trigger!

I'm going to pick up a set of aluminum running boards for my 4.8is today. My four year old says I have to have them on like our old X5. She's right and it'll look good too!

Show us photographs when yours are installed.

D

So what's the cheapest place to buy these? Morristown BMW has them on eBay for $714.95 shipped but they come with the regular fender flares. Man that just seems so pricey to me.

I'm guessing installaton is not that difficult.

Pic Attached of mine

hay I am in the same boat. Looking for running boards too. Questions.
 

Hello,

I am in the same boat. I just got my x5 4.4 a few months ago. I want r/b. I am a little confused. The kit they sale for $700+ comes with the flares that will conpensate for the widder r/b, right? The other questions what is the difference between the regular flares and the extended flares you folks are talking about?

Also let me Know if you find a place with better prices.

And what do the folks think about those $200,$300,+ aftermarket ones.

thanks

See above. :trustme:

thanks for the answres. One more newbie question on running boards.
 

What about mud flaps. o.k. If the get the r/b kit installed. Will the standard mud flaps fit for the rear wheel (or do I need special ones)? What about the front ones?

and thanks

On the rear, I would think no problem. The rear wheel arches connect to the running board at the front of the wheel - the area behind the wheel should be exactly the same.

On the fronts not sure if you need special ones as I'm not that familiar with mud flaps. My buest guess would be you need special ones. I'll try and check for you and get back to you.

Do you have the part number or link to the mud flaps you are considering? That would help in answering your question.

If you're geting them, they'd be for aesthetic reasons. I never use (step on) mine and I'm a "short guy" at 5'4" - and getting shorter as I grow older..LOL.

mud flaps I was looking at
 

Here is the mud flaps I was looking at. There is a set that says not for running board. I assume that the other ones are for running board.

Front Mud Flaps, set of 2 (82 16 0 004 467)
Front Mud Flaps, set of 2- for vehicles without Running Boards (82 16 0 004 466)
Rear Mud Flaps, set of 2 (82 16 0 301 760)

link on ebay.
BMW X5 E53 Mud Flaps : eBay Motors (item 300419696397 end time Jun-19-10 06:38:56 PDT)

thanks

You should negotiate the running boards out of the dealer before closing like I did. :D

But seriously, I use them constantly. I too have the Thule rack and they come in handy when mounting bikes. Also handy for washing/drying.

Great investment. I thought they were $550 through the dealership, but maybe that is just the 3.0.

I think that dealer on ebay has it backwards. Look here on realoem.com:

RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 4.4i Mud flaps

Part 1, part #82160004467 - For vehicles with door sill (usually this means vehicles W/O running board).

Part 1, part #82160004466 - For vehicles w/o door sill (usually this means vehicles WITH running board.)

However, that listing says part ending in 4466 is for vehicles w/o RBs.
FYI ... door sill is the stock plastic piece that runs underneath the doors that get replaced by the RBs. Technically its called the sill cover. Also, BMW actually call the RBs footboards/footplates.

I trust realoem. I would contact them, point out what realoem says, and verify their info. I could be wrong and this might be a case of BMW not being consistent - where sill in this specific case might be the RBs.

EDIT: Upon further review, there's an option S328A listed. Its called Door Sill or Footplate in different places. My point here is if its an OPTION, then it must be referring to the RB. So, on second thought, they are correct. People would have complained about fitment if they were wrong and adjusted already.

If you end up getting them, please give us feedback to confirm the S328A option.

Also, yes, try to purchase all your parts together and negotiate a lower price. That's what I did when I bought mine 1.5 years ago.

confused - can I still get them for $550 somewhere? I'd be a lot more willing to buy them sooner at that price.

Cheapest I found about 5 months ago was Morristown BMW. Everyone else wanted more. Don't go aftermarket. They're not difficult to install, but they're not easy either. It took me about 1/2 a day, and I'm pretty good with a wrench. Figuring out all of the little plastic clips for the trim, and making sure everything got perfectly aligned took awhile. I see no real advantage to getting in or out. But they do help when washing the car.

I bought a set of running boards for my 05 x 4.4 from morristown BMW 2 years ago for $550( they might more expensive now, but the best bet is to call them directly and get the beat price and say on s&h). I think they are the cheapest around the tri state area.

nerf bars

If it took you 1/2 day, I'll definitely take 2,3 days. How much did you pay?

Anyone ever figure out a fair price and best place to buy these? I would love to add them to my new to me, '05 3.0.

Thanks

BMW of Bloomfield on eBay has them listed - $750 buy it now with free shipping and $690 buy it now or best offer with $69.95 shipping. I think I paid close to $750 for mine which seems outrageous; but they are nice and I had the replicas and they looked good but that's all they were good for.

I was quoted $800 for running boards and another $700 for install to make a lovely $1500 for install from Edmonton BMW. Little extreme for me, cheaper to ship them from the USA and install myself.
They look awesome though I really want them. The kits off ebay look decent from far away but kind of cheesy up close

what about aftermarket ones off eyab?