BGM, Please don't take that the wrong way.
I'm just concerned about the leather. I hope once I install the Aluminum running boards retrofit, I will be able to step up and sit down in the seat without sliding across.

In my experience with X5 running boards, all you will do is get your pants dirty when the weather is wet outside. But they do improve the look of the ride.

Well, I take that back. My 6 year old used the boards to get into the X.

The boards are not side steps. IMHO, they are decorative, not functional, at least not in the way you want them to function.

Congrats!

Thanks for the information.

Too high. Ops but Why got rid of the 335i it was too low. little things become
a nuisance after awhile. Found best to dump them and get what you
want. On wearing leather, yep was wearing the bolster of the sport
seats having to slide in. 11,500 miles, another 11k and would have had
to be replaced

I believe the point of the running boards is to load things onto the roof.

Attachment 59535Attachment 59536Attachment 59537Attachment 59538Attachment 59539Attachment 59540

Some pics of my 2 babies!

I seem to recall instructions that you should not step on them as the rubber 'dots' can get pushed in and the protective coating on the metal damaged.....

I use mine all the time to get in and out. And when loading skis into the ski rack they are of great use for that. I had replicas on my older 2001 years ago and those were shxt...the dots fell out and the boards were not as well integrated. I've not had issues with getting my pants dirty on them either...but not discounting others...I like the RB's and think they look great.

Thanks for the info 4MoJoe. I planned on getting genuine bmw not replicas.
I would get them for the appearance but it's good to know they have some utility.