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.

dayam...really sux i didn't get this option as it looks like it will cost me close to 5 billz after install. i do agree, everytime i see the running boards, i like them more and more.

just a thought guys..now that theres enough x5's on the road and a few crashed by now..wouldn't it be worth giving the wreckers a call to see if any of them have the kit in the boot of any x5's?

9/10 i'd probably say they haven't even been used nor looked at..

Can anyone show me some pictures of installed and just the running boards? Where is the best/cheapest place to find these running boards? Are they OEM?

And don't just say search. LMAO.

Sean

I would like to know this myself as I didn't think it was answered yet.

I have the BMW PDF instructions, I've uploaded it for you here: http://charliespost.com/images/docs/...rd_install.pdf

I am planning to do it myself as well to save $400 from the dealer.
If you're from NYC, you can buy it from Lifequality BMW in brooklyn for $390 picked up and $490 shipped at:
BMW X5 E70 OEM RUNNING BOARDS 2006 AND UP - eBay (item 160539897508 end time Mar-02-11 10:18:54 PST)

These are OEM and these are the new ones, it comes with everything.
I messaged him about the old running boards which eventually will cause white patchy stains. He states that these are the new ones and it comes with all the hardware.

I was following an X5 Msport with 19's the other day. YUCK....:confused:

thanks man. looks like i have a weekend project.

Here is the spare for the e70 for getBMWparts.com and I also added the rod that holds the back compartment cover open. All from Tischer. It is expensive esp since it is only a 100 dollar option if you ordered it from the factory. But safety is safety.

awesome thanks for the pix. A couple of questions. I apologize if this sounds ghetto.

- how much is just the spare wheel and tires?
- can i just get the wheel/tire and put it under there? will it move a lot or is it snug? (sorry, I don't have my car yet).

I basically just want the tire so I feel better when my wife drives it. we have AAA (and bmw assist I guess) so I don't need the tools.

Or is that defeat the purpose? lol

I guess you can put a spare tire and rim. The space will only fit a donut spare aka space saving spare, it will not fit a full size rim/tire like the old bmw's. Tischer has it as $335 + 50 for shipping, not including taxes. It sucks that it cost more buying from the dealer. I believe there is a thread in the e90 forum about going to tirerack and ordering a generic spare. So you may want to check it out.

The tischer kit has all the tools, and it fits snug in the undercompartment.

Hope that answers your question.

I ordered the x5 and then found out that it didn't have a spare, had i known, i wouldve just ordered it when my car was still in the building stage.

If you haven't received your x5 yet and it still is in SC, you may want to call the dealer and add the spacesaving spare for $100 bucks.

thanks. I'll look into the e90 forum. I think it's too late because my dealer just called and it's in the port. I should be able to pick it up on sat.