Update to my last post - ends up the cheaper seller makes his prefacelift kit to look much like the facelift kit, but then I worry about fitment issues much like in post #105. I've said the same thing to the seller and linked him to this thread, so we'll see what he says.
seller and linked him to this thread, so we'll see what he says.

So in trying to determine which kit to get, why there is an $81 price difference between the two, both are from Latvia, so I've asked each seller about the other and they can't get their stories straight. To be honest, I prefer the pre-facelift on the prefacelift bumper, then just like post #105, I don't wanna risk anymore than needed by having mold issues. I just don't wanna pay $81 more for less fiberglass :D



AIKTuning - BMW E53 x5 4 8style Bodykit for All E53 Models Front Bumper Rear Bumper Arches | eBay
Me: The pictures in your ad show a bumper kit for the "facelift" X5 that came after 2003, yet the X5 from 1999-2002 have a different bumper and headlights called "pre-facelift". Do you have pics of the kit for the pre-facelift model?
Them: I know what are you talking about, The bumpers are quite the same on both models so we adjusted our mold to fit great on all x5 e53 This set fits all e53 models years and engines, Please find pictures from our customer in KZ attached, prefacelift with facelift addons :)
Me: (they sent me pics of a facelift kit installed onto a prefacelift) You should really post those pics on your ad to clear up any confusion. They look nice from a distance in the pics you posted, but I'm concerned about close-up fitment like in post #105 - (sent them a link to this thread)
Them: Hello, Thank you for the link, The parts you talk about are not from us, there is a seller bodykit.lv on ebay - those are from him, Please if you can make a post there to let people know that we are a different company and i asure you that quality is much better, kind regards


Car-Styling-UK - BMW E53 x5 4 6IS Body Kit | eBay
Me: Trying to figure out why your kit is $81 more than this one. I see they only have pics of facelifted X5's but they assure me that have pre-facelift kits as well. BMW E53 x5 4 8style Bodykit for All E53 Models Front Bumper Rear Bumper Arches | eBay
Them: Good day, This guys located 30 min out of our city. They buy all parts in our shop, then they make copy of it and selling it here...So the quality is not good. Why they selling for cheaper price! Have a nice day!

Anyone else buy this kit and have this problem too?

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...224_173050.jpg

Bodyshop should be able to fix that with some urethane glue and/or heat gun prior to painting

I tried both... trust me, neither works. The fibreglass isn't strong enough to be heated and manipulated and even the expensive automotive sikaflex I bought couldn't keep the kit up against the car.

if you were to buy it, your best option would be to fill the gap with black silicone.

You right:thumbup:You cannot heat up fibreglass ,it will soften and loose rigidity!Abs you can ,but in this case the spoiler is already fitted and its too big !
You solution to resolve this is to cut the sikaflex around the spoiler that is bulging out ,just enough, to have access to the back of it and trim off the bumper so the spoiler will then fit.Then you obviously need to silkaflex it again.
Those who have bought one and about to fit it,should trim the back of the spoiler and the bumper ,for a perfect fit.This is how I have done them !In this case you need to remove material,but in most cases with these fibreglass panels parts,I usually need to fill them in .
Suppose,some will not want to trim the bumper ,but its not as if you are ever going to remove the spoiler !This is cheap fibre glass but will give you an excelent finish ,just needs more work than your OE spoiler.
A good spray job with the added flex mix to the clearcoat and it will be like OE :)