Any tips for what kind of texture paint I should use on the flares, so I get the OE texture look?

There isn't a lot to choose from here, and it seems like almost all textured paint is special order only. Special order is expensive, so I need to get it right the first time.

Thanks!

Hi. I am contemplating painting the black part of the bumper and the door strips with plasti-dip. Here is the link. The price is not prohibitive and the end result looks good. It also withstands very well the environment, temperature swings and does not chip. It does not fade. If needed, you can always re-apply if minor damage done to it. The OEM textured paint is harder to source, but it also chips. On my car, there are few spots at some corners, where it started to chip. I will have to scrape off the damaged/flaking spots, fill them in, sand, prime then plastidip the black part of the bumper. Not hard, but time consuming and some elbow grease required. And if you mess up, you just peel it off and re-start. Eventually you'll get it right. With the textured paint, if you mess up, it's hard to remove and re-start. Not that it couldn't be done, but it's more difficult.
Not that I'm expert, but this is my opinion.

Thanks.

The problem people around here have experienced with plasti dip, is that you can't use regular degreaser on it. That's a problem, because of the enormous amounts of salt used on our roads in the winter time. During the winter (Late October - March) it usually is between minus 15 and plus 5 degrees celsius (5-40F) I stand no chance at all cleaning my car in the winter, without good amounts of heavy duty degreaser, after driving on the roads covered in brown salty slush.

Plasti dip would be a very good option if I did live somewhere with less salt. But unfortunately I don't, so I have to use regular textured paint.

But thanks for the tip anyway :)

Hey, Rolfi, the texture black paint for bumpers is SEM 39853. Google it and you will find who will be able to ship it to your location. It's about 18-19 $ for a spray can.

Doru,
Are you planning on painting the body kit bumpers black or matching to your car color?

The body kit bumper "wraps" will be the color of the car (Kalahari Beige). The bumpers are black, and have some minor imperfections - some paint has chipped away in some corners where it mates to the front grill, and some minor scratches, leaving the plastic bare, with the scratch marks. I intend painting the black original bumper to revive the original color. Also, I think I will pull out the strips/molds around the doors to match the "new" color and also paint them black how they originally were. The same for the flares (black).
Hope this makes sense?

I just received an e-mail from the person I purchased the 4.8 body kit. Now I see they have a 4.6 body kit as well, which is cheaper. The 4.8 body kit is 650$ and the 4.6 kit is 590$. Both have the front & rear bumper covers and the flares. Not sure why the price is different though. What would be different between a pre facelift and a post facelift 4.4 (the bodywork - not the grill and lights)?

I think the higher value car --> higher accessories price.

Can someone post a link to the kit perhaps? I did a search on Ebay and all I can find is a kit that's 1500 bucks, says its from lativa tho, has the price gone up?

BMW E53 x5 4 8IS Body Kit | eBay

I ordered the same kit off of ebay UK yesterday.

Now I just need to get a set of 4.6 or 4.8is-wheels and execute my exhaust plan. I'm cutting off the rear mufflers, welding on a Y-pipe on each side and going for the OE 4.6/4.8is exhaust tips. Daamn, I can't wait! All of this will make my car look and sound awesoome :pulp: