Running Boards/ spare tire
 

A couple of questions:

- is it easy to install running boards?
- can I get the spare tire myself (oem) or the option for that actually creates a space for it in the car? Is it inside the car?

You can buy the spare tire and related accessories at the dealer. Do you have a third row seat? As long as you don't, it goes in the storage area behind the second row seat.

I don't have 3rd row seat so that's good thx. Good to know. I feel better having a spare as this is the wife's car.

DON'T Get running boards. I have them and I'll just say I'm NOT a fan of getting my work pants and jeans dirty every time I step in during foul weather

The 3 times a year it rains here ? LMAO

haha yeah I kinda just like them for looks. I agree functionally it's not that useful. I'll concentrate on other mods then. Thx

I love the way they look. The running boards, and 20" wheels make the look. X5's without them look plain Vanilla to me.

I just did that. It cost about $380 for all the parts and $120 for the dealer to install them. It is DIY, but I didn't have the time prior to a road trip and switching to non-RFT winter tires. You will have to get the tire mounted to the rim.

The $380 includes the wheel, an un-mounted tire, a tray, the HW to secure it to the tray, a jack, and a lug wrench. The local parts guru ordered it all but the guy behind the counter when I picked it up had no clue about it, or where the other guy had put it. I said isn't that tire, and large box over in the corner, the kit?
It still took him 10 minutes to ring it up....

EVERYTIME I see an E70 without running boards (and especially without Sport package and 20" 214s)....the X5 looks bland, and a little boring. Running boards and 20" wheels take the X5 (IMO!) from blah soccer mom car, to hot & aggressive guy's car!!

Yes, unfortunately BMW no longer sells the spare wheel "kit" under a single part number. If you want it, you need to get the dealer to order all the individual parts and put it together.