Would you order running-boards again ?
 

Personally I'm finding them a pain in the ass ...

originally I thought good for our small kids getting out the back doors ..but then noticed swing-angle of rear doors is a bit crap anyway and the running boards just seem to make the whole entry - exit at back that much squeezier for them ... as for the front - I have to step over them everyday (and so does wife) ..so not added functionality there ...

any votes / thoughts / opinions ?:dunno:

I would get them again.

My 6y/o uses them to get in and out.
They are the wrong height for my wife and I don't use them.

BUT, I love the look of them :thumbup:

i think they look nice but know what u're talking about. i ordered it on the X6, hoping it'll be better since it's lower than X5...

unnecessary bling in my opinion.

I like the "bling effect", :D and dare I say it, the X looks a little ordinary without them... It might depend on the colour of the X though?

On the down side though, they are a pain in the @ss to clean, not functional, and what I find the most annoying is when some prick steals one of the little black plugs for his own ride... Then the running boards do look Sh!t...

But since when was anything easy owning an X...

will NOT get them again for the reasons listed above... My next X5 will be with the M-Sport package, and running boards are not even available.

When I had to get on top to reach insides of roof box, I stepped on the rear wheel anyway... Boards are useless, just for visual appearance.

Yeah I got 'em and I still like 'em

Had them on my 2008 X5, but not on the '07 X5. Had them on my 08' and '09 ML63 AMGs. Didn't have them on my Range Rover, but have them on our current G55 AMG.

They are a pain in the ass, if you do not swing your leg out a bit when exiting. If the car is not perfectly clean & you have light pants on...they get dirty or wet. Entering the car is easier with them...if you, and/or a passengers need to step on them.

I think I would get them again, but they can annoy though!

I had them on my e53 X5 but not on my e70 X5, it's much better without, they only muck up your legs ad you get out if it is wet. Just bling that nets BMW loads.

I have them and like them. Regarding getting your pant legs dirty when entering or exiting the car, YOU CAN USE THEM AS A STEP! That is their sole purpose, ppl! LOL!!!!!!

NEver had them on my 4.8is, didn't miss em. Have them on my 4.8, and I think they look good (one of the simple minded people, I guess). Kids use them; I step over them.

I believe one of the intended uses for this vehicle is to serve as an adjunct in one's recreational avocations. "Sports activity vehicle" in the brochure. To that end, the running boards are of great use in loading kayaks, sailboards, SUPs, bikes, etc. on/off of a roof rack. Hardly "bling" in this context. They can be highly functional for certain owners.

You beat me to it.

I love them and they look great. Like someone already said I also think the X5 looks rather ordinary without them. I don't think there is anything bling about them.

I have them and would def re order them on a new x. IMO the x looks naked without them. I will admit they are mostly an aesthetic, but they are a relatively cheap option and not worth dropping. Necessity if you use the roof rack as mentioned above!

I dont have them on my X and would really like them, I do get my pants dirty on the black plastic though, and sounds like its worse with running boards. But oh well they look awesome and would be great in regards with roof rack. Good to see everyones opinions

got em and would get em again...looks good and somewhat functional getting to the roof.

Thanks for all the feedback

Perhaps BMW rocket-scientists should make retractable ones ..then you would have a choice depending on how you feel that day (and if its dry or wet) - and you can code it into your comfort access settings ;)

Think through the scenarios e.g. solo trip to morning peaceful coffee (off), wife picking up kids from school (on), loading stuff on roof (on), knocking over abusive cyclist as he/she approaches from rear (off then quickly on as they pass), police arrive (off) :)

We had them on our X5 and didn't like getting caught on them every time we stepped out of the car. When the time came to order our X6, we didn't get them and they are much less annoying!

1) They would not serve me as a "step."
2) They would rub against my leg and leave dirt on my pants.
3) IMHO, they are ugly. Poka dots on muted silver???
4) MB also has same style...same thoughts on them as well.

Summary: 70% better looks, 20% regret, 10% function. Reminds me of 20" wheels.

nice one bimmer - probably sums up the whole X5 image really ;) but there's no denying that they are still a head turner and make people who don't have one a little envious (exept the greenies - who mostly arent connected to reality anyway IMHO - esp given they likely produce more mung-bean generated CO2 than X5's these days :)

Not if you are 5ft 6in. In that case you need a small step ladder to load things on or take them off the roof (e.g. my bikes!).

They are useless but I like the bling too.:D

Definitely makes the X look better. I like it..

I've said it before and i'll say it again...they only seem useful for short people, period. Screw looks.

I just said it and i'll say it again....the X looks better with it, exclamation point. Screw usefulness.

Looks cleaner without them.

On the other hand, i did become better acquainted with dry-clean proprietors in my area... :confused:

yes...

I like the way they look, and when I am loading the ski racks, they are a HUGE help. Functional and fashionable... hard to beat that.

Does anyone find that the running boards help reduce dings in shopping malls? They may not help on large SUVs next to you, but I think smaller sedans would hit the running board before your door.

I know you can valet at some malls and be anti social and park far away in others. In big cities where every spot is taken, some times the only option is to squeeze into something tight and pray.

Actually, you're right about that. For some cars (even some SUV's), the running boards can block swinging doors before it hits the door panel. I've tested it out on several cars parked next to my X5 and the running board does prevent the other door from hitting the X5's door panel.

I'm not sure but I think even most cars aren't low enough, particularly given many doors are concaved so the farthest point is higher up. I'm guessing any car low enough wouldn't be door dinging anyone....corvette,porsche etc

I stand corrected.

100% agreement with Skinnedy. Look good and indispensable for loading/unloading skis.

Do you have less clearance with them? What about when it snows Im assuming its harder to get out of parking spots.

We had a car ding our door on first trip to mall (WTF) ... a nasty ding too (by a nasty looser I suspect) ...so boards didnt help in that instance ....we velet now (always - $10 is cheap insurance) ...

I was watching my small kids get out of the car today (on their own) and must admit without the boards it would truly be 'one giant leap for mankind' to the gutter ... but if I didnt have small kids then I think I'd junk them ....

I personally love them:
-look great and practical in my mind..

-Definitely makes me feel more at ease knowing that in general whenever I park in car parks im less prone to getting shopping trolley dings.

- and makes it easier to wash the roof or access roof racks.

I personally love them:
-look great and practical in my mind..

-Definitely makes me feel more at ease knowing that in general whenever I park in car parks im less prone to getting shopping trolley dings.

- and makes it easier to wash the roof or access roof racks.