E53 front bumper skid plate replicas
 

I am in talks with Slimmbones (resides on the M5 forums and makes parts for those models usually) and he said he can replicate the plates in black polyurethane (not ABS plastic that is mentioned later in this thread) that are paintable.
This part gets added to your 3.0i or 4.4i (NOT 4.6 or 4.8iS bumpers) as it's "bare" (just black plastic) where it gets installed (where as the iS models already have lower valances here).

Part Number: 82110021339

COST
$275 USD shipped within the continental USA.
$350 USD shipped to Canada.
$400 USD shipped for rest of the world (as shipping is yet more expensive)

They will not be painted, nor holes drilled, before shipping as its smarter to get the paint job done when it arrives and the painters can match the color of your vehicle.
Rick is this time supplying plastic mounting rivets (OR you can buy and use three 8mm screws, the same as the ones that hold the bumper to the frame currently, as I did).

I do not daily come in to this site in winter (too busy with work), but you can also still ask/discuss here too.
Please feel free to read the comments from Pg 40 onwards about the quality of the plates from other members who have received them.

Cheers all, Mike in Calgary, Slimmbones in Cali.

UPDATE:
first few batches sent out in Mid October, 2014.
I LOVE the quality and flexibility of this plate. the OE is very rigid and I get scared in winter with it on. Rick's plates are sensational and seem extremely durable.

Anyhow, please continue to let Rick know if you're interested/still interested.
[email protected]

INSTALL TIP:
as a recommendation, I'd screw the bottom 5 tabs on first and THEN hold the top of the plate onto the x5 and insert the center screw first to create a starting point.
From there, press in on the left or right half of the skid plate to conform the plate body to the bumper and then screw the end in
Then do the same for the other end. this way it gets rid of any "wave"/gap that can form.

remember as soon as you make the hole for the screw into the bumper, there is no changing that mounting hole, so I'd suggest you test fit and press to fully see how the plate will sit when you have the screws in.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c3ffac262c.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...db3faaa9eb.jpg

Mike, my hat's off to you for trying such an undertaking. I'd be glad to buy one from you if and when they're available!

Regarding the material, if possible, I'd suggest having it made from the same material as the original. The original material was used for a reason, and if you can make the new ones from the same, all the better.

Please keep us posted on the progress of your project. :thumbup:

Great concept and thanks for a solution that required thought and commitment to provide an out come (hopefully) that can be enjoyed by one and all. :thumbup:

Oh, The term your looking for is "reverse engineering" an existing item, in this case a auto part, to recreate and remanufacture for others. Use paypal and have all who send you funds to mark them as a "GIFT" so you are not selling anything. No tax issues, liability, etc, etc.

Exactly. As long as you're accepting gift money its all good and as long as you don't use BMW's name in any threads or reference the OE part you are replicating with part number, etc, and maybe you should name it differently so as not to infringe you should be good.

Although I doubt BWM would throw a lawsuit out for producing something that is no longer made and even Gary @ the factory said it wouldn't be made again.


And I second ABS plastic, do not do GFK, do not do fiberglass, ABS Plastic. I warn you though, it might be pricey to do with a minimum batch. Keeping posted and obviously if you ever scrapped the project you already know my deal :thumbup:

I was supposed to have found a plate locally from a member selling his X but he hasn't gotten back to me lately so not sure if he's keeping car after all or just busy but I'm subscribed to this thread.

Depending on how much I may be interested... I was thinking about putting the 4.6 piece on my X5, but if this is cheaper I'd go that route most likely.

GL with the task, Mike.
Don't tease me with your E31 in the pic. I'd love to own one some day. Post a pic NOW! :D

You could have a patent attorney check to see if there is one covering a particular skid plate or if there is some indication a company deems it proprietary.

I am not a patent attorney but have had experience dealing with competitor patents. While there is always risk if a product is patented, generally, there are avenues to avoid violation. In this case a change in design, method of attachment, function(s) or material could be enough. As I understand the part is out of production-that helps.

The only safe course is to have an experienced attorney document the company protecting the part extends permission. Unfortunately, all methods to stay out of trouble take time and money. I have only worked in U.S. corporations. In my experience patent violations always start with a cease and desist notification. If that didn't solve the problem our attorney would call or meet to see what could be done to resolve the issue without initiating what most often would be a nobody wins lawsuit.

I wouldn't think a skid plate is protected. They have been around for many many years so it is usually not cost effective to attempt to get any new offering protected but you won't know without checking---Sadly, this is the short story and far from all inclusive.

To lower the cost to U.S. customers, I would check if there are benefits to set up a quasi distributor in a cost effective location in the U.S. or wherever their is enough demand. Declared value would be lower as should overall shipping cost.

FYI- the start up costs are covered by the sales forecast and the offering price. The forecast is never accurate. You will sell notably more or less. Sales are usually less or come slower and target price is always a challenge to meet and still realize the justifying profit.

Mother of god Clockwork she is gorgeous

The exhaust sound must be amazing from the V12.
I'm always a fan of the E31. The 850CSi would be a worthy garage mate to my Z32 ;)

If I had one I'd try this:

Fill a shallow box with plaster of paris and use the skid plate to make an impression mold. With that, make simple fiberglass versions that the buyers could then trim, sand smooth, primer,and paint. Any facility that would look at making ABS versions would likely have minimums that could be in the 1,000s if the cost was going to be anywhere reasonable.

Just a thought.