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-   -   Plastic front fenders?! (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e70-forum/65727-plastic-front-fenders.html)

Retired Profile 09-18-2009 09:29 AM
Plastic front fenders?!
 
I never knew this, but I recently discovered that the front fenders on the X5 are plastic!

Penguin 09-18-2009 09:39 AM
Yup.

rh71 09-18-2009 12:50 PM
it reduces weight, but does it reduce replacement cost?

FunfDreisig 09-18-2009 01:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirkinner (Post 661325)
I never knew this, but I recently discovered that the front fenders on the X5 are plastic!
The whole front clip is composite: Fenders and bumper.

FWIW I've seen X5s that have been in a bad hail storm. Windowshields and rear hatch windows smashed in, roof, rear fenders (the flare out) and even the doors so severely damaged they looked like thugs had bashed on them with base ball bats. But the front fenders were unscathed :)

Funf Dreisig

rh71 09-18-2009 01:59 PM
Are they similar to what Saturn was touting quite a few years back with their dent-free exterior?

AUU 555 09-18-2009 02:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rh71 (Post 661386)
Are they similar to what Saturn was touting quite a few years back with their dent-free exterior?
While I was turning , I hit an OLD Toyota Hilux :confused: front side near the fog light !! and nothing happened except some paint scratches ! I think if it wasn't plastic more damages would happened.

AzNMpower32 09-18-2009 03:56 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rh71 (Post 661386)
Are they similar to what Saturn was touting quite a few years back with their dent-free exterior?
Yeah, pretty much. Except because its a BMW, no one will laugh at it. :rolleyes:

Naz24 09-18-2009 05:48 PM
If you look closely on the fender line on the right side, there is a little dent on all of them, the mold was not perfect

Weasel 09-18-2009 07:39 PM
If I remember right one of the reasone BMW went with the plastic on the front clip was due to more stringent pedestrian safety laws in either Europe or Germany... something about vehicle characteristics in the event of an accident with a pedestrian. I guess the plastic has more give and is easier of the person getting hit?

JCL 09-18-2009 09:51 PM
1 Attachment(s)
Pedestrian safety was a factor, but so was assembly cost. BMW outsourced the entire assembled fender. Good article on the Automotive Engineering website.

BMW X5 Plastic Fender Module

Quote:
Plastic Omnium, an established supplier of front end modules (FEM) as part of HBPO (Hella Behr Plastic Omnium), has developed the world’s first fender modules for the new BMW X5.
It says they offer better panel fit, improved pedestrian impact protection, weight reduction and greater freedom in the design of the front end as well as simplified supply chain and logistics and greater ease of assembly.
Pre-painted thermoplastic fenders are fixed to a structure that mounts the headlamps and washers, fog lights, indicators, windscreen washer reservoir, charge air and oil coolers and air guides, wheel housing, head impact absorber and airbag sensors. Modules are sequence delivered to the X5 assembly line fully assembled and ready to fit.


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