X6 Running Boards = X5 Running Boards?
 

I stopped by my local dealer to take a look at the X6.

It looks great in person (though some may not be able to accept it's controversial styling). The drive on the XDrive35i is so smooth. I wish that engine was available in the X5! It really feels like a coupe where the front passengers are truly the focus. But at the end, the X5 is the clear cut winner from a practical stand point.

Something I noticed while getting in and out of the front passenger seat is that the running boards didn't seem to stick out as much. Can anyone confirm if the running boards on the X6 and X5 are the same? If they are different where they aren't as wide. Would they fit on a X5 also?

The easier entry & exit (without my pants touching the running boards) could have been due to the slightly lower height of the X6 vs. X5.

From the pics the running boards seem about the same. What could make difference is the driver's seat position relative to the door's sill. I've compared my E70 to my brother's E53, both have running boards, but getting out of his X is much easier. It came out that E70 has front seats by approx extra 1.5-2" further away from the door (sort of deeper inside), and that made the difference of in/out experience.

Thanxs. That could be the explanation. I'll try to measure them to confirm.

Still haven't had the opportunity to measure the X5 & X6 running boards. But the more I look at the pictures (plus think of my experience/impression getting out of the X6) the more I think that the running boards are smaller.

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141018

The ones in the picture of the X6 look like the dots are closer together. And that the outside is straight from front to back. The ones on the X5 kinda curve outwards (in front) and back inwards (in back).

Really think it would be cool if those fit on the X5. Easier access in and out of the car while getting the looks of the running boards.

They're totally different pieces.

X5 E70 left running board part #: 51 77 7 167 709
X6 E71 left running coard part #: 51 77 7 184 425

I also highly doubt that they would be compatible, even though they have the same wheelbase. The new M3 has different exhausts for both the coupe (e92) and sedan (e90), even though they look similar.

Thanxs for confirming the difference HaroldC.

No offense. I hope you are wrong about the compatibility. I'm really hoping that in this case sharing similar wheelbase might work in my favor. I really prefer the X6 running boards over the X5.

I'll try to do more sleuthing on this aspect.

Keep us informed as to what you find out :) The narrower running boards are of interest to me. Thanks