Help me make up my mind on this option... (pics inside)
 

The X5M stone chip issues from the front tires and painted fender moldings

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...aintdamage.jpg

got me thinking, should I expect the same? I don't have painted fender moldings but I did swap out my 275/40/20 9.5" +45 fronts for a second set of 315/35/20 10.5" +30 rears. Due to spoke design of the rear wheel, I was able to ditch the 10mm spacers that were used with the old 9.5" wheels, and adding the optional front fender arches helped appearance with fitment. There's a lot more exposed tire down low though.

So I ordered the E53 optional mudflaps, but I'm just not sure that I like the "flow" with the mudflaps installed. Took pics. I fitted them without rivets, so they're not exactly on all the way, but you get the idea.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5mudflap1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5mudflap2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5mudflap3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5mudflap4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5mudflap5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5mudflap6.jpg



I don't know.

You decide.




I'd like to give a shout out to Tischer BMW for being pretty cool about letting me test fit them and return for refund if I choose to.

Eh, they don't look too bad but me I'd leave them off.

I have 30mm spacers in the back and my front wheels are just about out as much as yours too.

I do get stuff kicked up by the doors and of course by the rear bumper but I've haven't got nicks yet (knock on wood).

I say leave them off as it does detract from the aggressive stance that I assume you wanted with the 315s up front! ;)

Hi TwinsPoppa! Thanks for your thoughts... I feel the same way in my gut. They just don't "flow" right in my head. Maybe if they didn't extend down so far. Unsure on cost for custom 3M where needed + installation. I'm guessing between $500-$700. 10x the cost of the mudflaps. Meh.

And thanks, I LOVE the 315's all around in the dry despite the gas mileage, acceleration, and braking negatives. Feels just right to me when taking turns. In the wet they can easily be a handful. Overall, very happy with it. (and the ability to rotate)

oh, forgot to mention if you might have been wondering... I have 25mm in the back, didn't have the balls to go for 30mm, haha. :)

Thanks again, was hoping that you would post.

When I first picked the X up I was always looking for some mark on the X. However, after 30K miles of ownership and being my wifes daily driver I gave up. Now the X has scuffs on 3 of the four corners (both corners of the rear bumper and one on the front). Plus the rear seats were like from the factory. Now that I've had the kids seats in there not sure if the depressions will ever pop-out.

Eh, its a "working" truck in its own way. No garage queen here! :rofl:

Just enjoy the bad boy and keep buying tires every 10-15K! :D

I hear you on that man... nothing stays perfect forever, haha. Just have to remember to enjoy it, even if it gets a door ding or two. Not much fun to have a perfect car hidden under a cover in a garage imho. :)

Maybe I should splurge for these instead?

http://image.trucktrend.com/f/vehicl...-mud-flaps.jpg

Stay classy!

I'd have to agree with you guys, I would leave them off. It would make sense to put them on but it just doesnt flow. Agree on the fact that it would take away the X's sexy stance. Howeverr, I gotta say the sexy stance might imrpove if you splurge for those sexy lady mudflaps haahaha!!!

JB,
I think they look fine/ok...you could always put them on for the Dec through April slog fest of snow, street grit, etc. and pop them off.
Or, you might get used to them and leave them on.

Sort of confused here in my advancing age though: you are getting an X5M or, you are putting them on your E53?

I wish I had got flaps way back when to protect some areas. Sometimes Function wins over Form, and it's your car, so do as it pleases you, imo.
My 50Cts.
GL, mD

just my opinion, but I kinda like the way it looks with the flaps - a bit more agressive stance. My only issue would be the enormous speed humps in my area - I need 7-8 inches of ground clearance to not scrape across them, and it doesn't look like you'd still have that kind of clearance with those flaps.

E

Are those the original headlights or aftermarket?

Hated the look of film on my frontend and peeled it off.
But I would say YAY on the rockers.

Let me grab a pic, but you can clearly see how much abuse the film has taken on the rockers as opposed to the paint above the moulding line..