Whew!!! 4.8 front bumper finally installed!
 

Installation article to follow...

Looks great, Eugene :thumbup:

For your write-up why don't you try using the "Submit an Article" feature at http://www.xoutpost.com/articles.php?...=submitarticle. It's pretty straightforward, and let me know if I can help.

Jeff

Yes will definitely use the "Submit an Article" feature.

Thanks Jeff!

So how much did that set you back?

Looks great. I am been wanting to do mine, but have been procrastinating. Maybe with the sun finally back out, I can get to work.

Looks great! White shows off the kit so much better than darker color.

Ooooooh nice!! Great mod on a cool bod for your sweet rod. :)

Lookin' good Eugene. Can't wait to see her!

Thanks Dan! You know where to find her... I'm currently working with Tim(I greatly appreciate it!) to get the X-Pipe.

I think it's around $600 for the bumper and paint job. I also have the rear spoilers but have not installed them yet.

Looks great.

Looks great!!

I already have everything installed by the front bumper... do you need anything else besides the bumper skin? thanks

My X is in the shop till Monday. It went in yesterday to "touch up" the scratches on the nose and front spolier. They ended up painting the front hood as one scratch was to deep. SO I would get the X back to the muffler shop till next week. Sorry man.

Not a problem and no apologies needed Tim.

Thanks!

Eugene

4.8/4.6 Kits
 

Where did you purchase the bumper kit?

tq2k, what year is your X and what model is it? I would like to do the same but I have a 2003 4.4i. I hear its a real biach to install this kit without replacing almost everything on the car.

Sweet!!! What a difference!

Crevier BMW look for Vaheh.

I have a 2004 4.4. For your '03 it's actually simpler because there is no need to replace the bumper. Just buy the 4.6 front spoiler and follow the instructions and you're all set.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles.php?...ticle&artid=13

Looks really great - love it! Since you've been through this job - quick question - how easy is it to remove the three plastic mesh pieces? Can they be removed without removing the bumper? I'm thinking of replacing mine with Racemesh...

Only way to remove is to take off the bumper. Each of the grill inserts are secured by notches. To remove, push the right side towards to the right and the left side towards to the left. The biggest part slides to the right to remove.

I had to order these parts too.

51-11-7-129-853 FLAP 1 6.64
51-11-7-129-854 FLAP 1 6.64

They're the small covers in front of the bumber, somehow the flaps that came with the regular bumpers aren't flush with the 4.8 bumper.

Hey, thanks for the insight TQ2K. So I assume when you say right you're standing in front of the car, facing it - so right would be driver's side, correct?
Anyone else interested in replacing his/her stock plastic mesh w/Racemesh? I'd love to see what it looks like - I think BMW should have used the real stuff from the start.

Hey, can you please tell us where you found the front bumper, online, local, etc.? Also, was it a pain to install?

Right = Passenger side. Sorry for the confusion.

Crevier BMW for all the parts needed (front 4.8 bumper, rear 4.8 spoiler with caps)

Look for:
Vaheh Bashikian
(714) 835-3171 ext. 2275

RaceMesh Grill
 

Looks like I have found another (925) company to drop in on... I am going to see if they will add an X5 kidney and lower intake grill to their product line. Is any interested in a group order???

I may be interested - do you have a link to the company's web site? I'd like to see exactly what they have to offer...

Why dress up an X5 to look like a 4.8 when it's not a 4.8? The reason i ask is that over on another automotive forum that I frequent there are frequent discussions about people dressing up their cars to appear to be the higher end models when they aren't, and the discussions get pretty heated. The only discussions that get more attention are the guys who want to put "wings" on the back of their cars :)

My answer is very simple...
 

Simple: It's what I want and it's my money I'm spending. I don't care if other's have problems with it, as far as I'm concerned it's their problem and I'll let them resolve it by themselves. :thumbup:

I don't think it has anything to do with making one model look like another. I didn't put 4.6is body kit on my 4.4i to make it pass for a 4.6is; I did it because I liked the look of 4.6 bumpers, and IMO they change the overall image of the car drastically. Now, if I put 4.6is badges in place of my 4.4i badges - that's a different story (I see plenty of 528s around here with M5 badges on them :confused: ).

:iagree:

The 4.6is and 4.8is body kits, as well as the aero kits, allow you to give your X5 additional style and personalization. I love the look of them and don't begrudge anyone for making these upgrades :thumbup:

Jeff

I completely understand, I get negative comments about the stripes on my Le Mans Commemorative Z06 Corvette too, it's more the guys who buy a "base" vette and put the Z06 405HP badges and rear brake duct cooling screens on that seem cheesy... and the "rear wing" guys :)... not to mention the BMW guys who put M badges on non-M cars. :confused:

RaceMesh
 

Hey all I spoke to RaceMesh today and will post the response under a new thread... (search for RaceMesh)

I don't care if somebody puts 4.8 kit on a 3.0 or an ///M badge, its their money so let them do whatever makes them happy. But I find weird that some people who dress up their X with 4.8 kit and remove the 4.4 or 3.0 badge and leave it plain and then they criticize those who put ///M badge. :confused: BTW, agree with UCrew, it does give style and personalization. :thumbup:

I think you need to lower it a bit...

I actually want to do this on my 3.0 only because the best body kit is the 4.8 body kit IMO. I looked at different 20 inch rims but the best looking one is the stock 20 rims. Would that make me a poser?
Why didnt I just get the 4.8 and save the trouble and time putting it together? Dont need the v8 engine, running 15mph on I405 doesnt need that much power specially when gas is $3.15/gallon. Plus the color I want is not available in 4.8

This is something I've struggled with lately. I like the LOOK of the 4.8is more than the 4.4 and want to switch to 4.8is bumpers and wheels, but I always scoff at others in modded 3s or 5s made to look liket the respective Ms. The 4.8is is NOT an M, though. If it was, for example if they had put the M5's 400 hp V8 in it, I would have been all over it.

I saw a nice silver 4.8is at my dealer last week, but before I got a chance to drive it, it was sold. Now I'm stuck with the decision to modify the 4.4i with the 4.8is front bumper and wheels, plus some performance mods (hopefully a supercharger kit will be available soon)...OR just order a 4.8is. I've never actually had a chance to drive the 4.8is, but I always got the impression that it wasnt that much different from the 4.8 in performance or feel, except for better handling related to wheels/tires. The 40 hp jump isnt a lot in a 5000 lb vehicle. The downside of ordering a 4.8is is that I know myself, and I'll slap a supercharger on it down the road, too, if one becomes available.

My wife thinks I'm nuts, and I think she may be right.

Hurry with more info on this 4.8is kit.
 

Hey TQ2K,
Please when you get the time, submit an article on how you did it. Please include all the part numbers that is need for this mod.

Thank you very much,
Chas