Does the addition of 4 Mud Flaps to a new X5 Kill the look?
 

I was just wondering if any one placed oem mud flaps on their X5 and if they are happy with the look or if it makes the vehicle look too much like a Toyota?
Thinking about them because VT has highest percentage of dirt roads (my tax dollars being mis spent on Secretaries for Teachers Aides and Gym Teachers!)
Anyone have any pictures of e70 with mud flaps

I was going to install, but the wife didnt like it.

I dont care, it seemed a reasonable prudent move, but it's her ride....

While on the subject, there was a thread that on the pre-LCI E70 a part of the rear bumper was cut to install the rear mud flaps.

Once I read that, I had second thoughts about the mudflaps.

I did not follow that thread to its completion, it may be the case that the rear bumper may not have to be cut to install them.

Although mud flaps are practical, I have yet to see any mud flaps that looked good on any vehicle.

Thanks for the replies, They have alot of Mud flaps available now for diffrerent wheel sizes and for X5's with or with out running boards or aero kit...I have the 20" style 214's and the vehicle drives like a dream (as good or better than my wife's 335ci). The mud flaps for my application are over $205 so I would hate to buy them and not like them......

I didn't like the looks... too thick and stiff visually and seems just out of place with the rest of the vehicle. I have thin mudflaps on my Isuzu Rodeo and it works better visually on that thing.

If you have 20" wheels (or larger), mudflaps are no go. If you have 19" or smaller, mudflaps are a must!

Any mud flaps om the X5 kill the look. I would do without.

i saw one on the road with mud flaps and quite frankly i thought they looked "cool". also stops dirt from being kicked up hitting the doors and rear bumpers.

I just looked up some pics, and think they look great - blend nicely with the black lower trim. Could see they might not match with an M-Sport setup.

It's okay for an SUV to have a rugged image, mudflaps help. I just ordered up a set.

Utilatarian might work but if you are worried about looks then I ask this, would you put mudflaps on any other BMW?

perhaps an X3, I really think they are only a consideration onan x3 or x5

Where did you find those pics...mind sharing ;) ?

:stickpoke

:thumbup:

X

Never mind...used the search tool and magic, found what I wanted to see!

http://www.xoutpost.com/649392-post6.html


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...icture-005.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...icture-006.jpg

Definitely practical, but I hate the look

I really do mind the look on this BMw with 19" rims.....
I am wondering how much worse they look with the 20 X10 and 20 X11 rims as the mud flaps are wider (and a diferent part #) and hopefully fitted to go around the fender extensions....
Like what was said above....ok with 18's and 19's but avoid with 20's?

Definetely avoid on 20s, as mudflaps would "hide" the wide-ass tires and kill the look. I tried and removed them right away! But with 18" and 19", they do compliement the look and make the car look better (wider) from the rear, so it is a must imho.

Alexmish was it just the look from behind you did not like (hiding the wheel thickness) or all the views?
Also, please excuse my ignorance, but what is the CA option you have?

Comfort Access = CA.

That was my vehicle in the pictures. In the Midwest, they are a must with snow, salt and cinders. I didn't mind the look and they kept a lot of crap off the vehicle...

Craig

The view from behind was the mod-killer in the end, but even view from the side was not good either... THe flaps with extended arches are just HUGE, and they hang somewhat lower...

CA = comfort access

Not as much as having most of the lower body panels get the paint blasted off by debris thrown up by wide wheels kills the look. Pick your poison.

I would rather have mud flaps and good paint than no mudflaps and wrecked paint.

Can you see them?
 

Home made mud flaps

Found the install doc online in case anybody's interested - I always like seeing instructions.

http://www.lunacreativedesign.com/mud.pdf

Well, I decided to try them!
I can always remove if I do not like them.
Thanks for instructions as it confirms what I thought.
Accessories.BMWusa.com is WRONG on the website about the correct part # for rear splash guards for my vehicle with 20" wheels....82160420836 part # is for X5 With AERODYNAMIC and 82160416163 is without that Aerodynamic package......as most X5's come.
(I confirmed this by dry fitting..,the lower contour is factory cut to accept the Aerodynamic package's lower piece on the #...836 ,so its time to return the rears for the # ....163 on my X5 delivered with 20" 214's)

I had a bit of trouble getting the sticky tape to seal correctly - anybody else have an issue? Doesn't seal along the top on two of the pieces, not sure how big of a deal that is. Figure if it becomes an issue, I can pull everything off and redo with new 3M tape.

Nothing kills the look of a vehicle more than the paint being ripped off the lower bodywork.

Buy some mudflaps, drive the car, don't worry about it.

Would love to see some pictures of how it turned out...

or do what I'm going to do on my wife's soon-to-be new ride...
 

install plastic film on the body work behind the front and rear wheel wells (Stone-X or Ventureshield, have not decided which yet), to go along with the front end wrap, mirror caps, door handle wells and top surface of the rear bumper.

I did that on both of my M3s and it works wonders for stone chips on the hood/fenders, road rash on the rockers and lower front body work. Not cheap, but cheaper than repainting and I avoid having to do paint touch-ups every time I find a new chip or paint wearing off when I wash n wax.

Craig

How well do the mud flaps help keep the back of the X5 clean? Any kind of rain seems to get the back of mine pretty dirty.

They are a must here in Idaho. We put them on our 2000 323 and then the 2006 325. First thing I put on my X5 and I like the look on it and the 3's. If we lived in a different climate I'd think differently but seen too much damage from the winter months of driving.

Do they make them with Yosemite Sam on them? Back off! :rofl:

I agree with JCL (again). Mudflaps look better than no paint. Just don't back into a hard snow drift with the hard plastic mudflaps as I imagine things could get torn up a bit.

Mudflaps
 

I have X5 2009 with Original Sports Pack with 20" Flared Guards and Side running boards. Had the car for about a week and road grim was thrown all over the side of the vehicle. I had rear mudflaps already as they are very standard in Australia. I purchased front ones and fitted myself, best purchase I ever made, still looks great with them on, less cleaning and less stone chips. There is a huge gap with 20" tires that simple stones etc hit the side of the car, even with side running boards. A very worth while a time saving expense. The quality of these mudflaps is fantastic and fit perfectly.

All a matter of personal taste... I have them on my Z4 as well as my X5.

This picture is not mine, but the flaps and color are identical:

http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/att...s-img_3526.jpg

My Z4 is six years old with 35K and has no paint chips on the sides or rocker panels, despite being driven primarily on secondary roads.