Fender Flares

[Zamorskii]

Hi. I want to upgrade up from my 19" wheels and would need to install larger fender flares, which I will also need painted. I can get a set from my local dealer at getbmwparts.com pricing ($676.40+tax), but was wondering if anybody ever had experience with flares sold on Ebay? These are $300 shipped and look pretty much the same as OEM, which would leave me more room for painting.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-X5-F15-1...tV5LB~&vxp=mtr

[Neuera09]

Originally Posted by Zamorskii

Hi. I want to upgrade up from my 19" wheels and would need to install larger fender flares, which I will also need painted. I can get a set from my local dealer at getbmwparts.com pricing ($676.40+tax), but was wondering if anybody ever had experience with flares sold on Ebay? These are $300 shipped and look pretty much the same as OEM, which would leave me more room for painting.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-X5-F15-1...tV5LB~&vxp=mtr

Don't do it man! Keep it original. What color is current fender flares?

[Zamorskii]

Are you referring to OEM or stock? I now have Mineral White luxury line.

[Neuera09]

Originally Posted by Zamorskii

Are you referring to OEM or stock? I now have Mineral White luxury line.

I have an xline and was considering getting my flares painted too. However, I was told I couldn't unless I order the ones for luxury or msport.

[Zamorskii]

Originally Posted by Neuera09

I have an xline and was considering getting my flares painted too. However, I was told I couldn't unless I order the ones for luxury or msport.

Yes, that is correct. If your flares are unpainted they have rough texture that needs to be primed, smoothed out, etc. Painted flares come as part of Excellence or M Sport packages.
The OEM ones are more than double of the ones I linked to on Ebay, so was wondering if anybody had experience with them and can chime in on how the fit/finish was on them.

[Zamorskii]

Just as an update, I went ahead and gave it a shot to these Ebay flares. The result is pretty good in my opinion. The fitment is very true with no gaps, misaligned pins or other issues of that kind. I ran them by a buddy of mine who will be painting them in his shop and he says they need a bit of sanding before he puts paint down because the surface is slightly more bumpy from what he would like it to be, but overall I am quite happy with how they came out on the vehicle. I will post an update afterwards to report on how the paint came out.

I first hand measured them on the vehicle and the arch outline on the rears especially seemed a bit tight to me, so I decided to install them so they have time to settle in. Everything stretched quite nicely. I would say if you are thinking of going up from 19" to 20 and above, but are worried about fender flares, these can be definitely a good option.

[Neuera09]

Congrats. The flares looks good.

[TOPEC]

u have a msport front bumper but regular side skirts? if i were u id just leave them black since ur side skirts are black

[Neuera09]

I believe he has the luxury version and changed the front bumper to the msport version.

[Zamorskii]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

u have a msport front bumper but regular side skirts? if i were u id just leave them black since ur side skirts are black

I can't say that thought did not cross my mind, but I feel that with black flares the wheel wells look larger than they are and 20" wheels get lost a bit. There is enough black/white on the skirts to go either way. Beside, I am not a fan of MSport skirts as those do not have the step functionality that my 2 kids REALLY need.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

u have a msport front bumper but regular side skirts? if i were u id just leave them black since ur side skirts are black

now he has to paint the rocker panels along with the lower trim on the bumper to make it look uniform. it will have more of a factory look than an after-thought. the color that is silver now could be gloss black and it would look real good (IMO).

[Neuera09]

I would add the carbon fiber front lip and maybe wrap the side skirt and read valance with a carbon fiber wrap for an all around CF look.

[A-4WD]

Originally Posted by Zamorskii

Just as an update, I went ahead and gave it a shot to these Ebay flares. The result is pretty good in my opinion. The fitment is very true with no gaps, misaligned pins or other issues of that kind. I ran them by a buddy of mine who will be painting them in his shop and he says they need a bit of sanding before he puts paint down because the surface is slightly more bumpy from what he would like it to be, but overall I am quite happy with how they came out on the vehicle. I will post an update afterwards to report on how the paint came out.

I first hand measured them on the vehicle and the arch outline on the rears especially seemed a bit tight to me, so I decided to install them so they have time to settle in. Everything stretched quite nicely. I would say if you are thinking of going up from 19" to 20 and above, but are worried about fender flares, these can be definitely a good option.

Hi, I'm looking at getting a set of the ebay ones for my truck too. Did you end up getting them painted? Were there any issues with painting them if you did have them painted?

Thanks.

[yewlock]

Originally Posted by ara_yaz

Hi, I'm looking at getting a set of the ebay ones for my truck too. Did you end up getting them painted? Were there any issues with painting them if you did have them painted?

Thanks.

https://scratchwizard.net/paint-sear...25&model=15456.

I highly recommend this paint. Color perfectly match to the dot. Just make sure you order enough. Color hold well.

[Radekxpl]

I had the same dilemma wanted to install flares as well, but the Oem are $650 and I found ebay flares for $269 shipped so I went ahead and got them on ebay

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...Cl%26vxp%3Dmtr

About to have them installed and I will update on the results of how them came out if its worth buying.

[originalgoods13]

It is $1000 USD here in Canada and am looking to grab a set for the 491's. Please update us! Thanks

[DuSh]

Judging from some new info and I'm starting to see some rare exterior parts starting to appear on ebay - I think somebody in China got some oem molds and started to make descent fitment wise parts. For those who are on a budget - it's a good time to try them (much less fitment issues than it was back several years ago)

Not only fender flares, but I saw some rear diffusers, bumpers, etc - that previously were not available aftermarket

[A-4WD]

Originally Posted by Radekxpl

I had the same dilemma wanted to install flares as well, but the Oem are $650 and I found ebay flares for $269 shipped so I went ahead and got them on ebay

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...Cl%26vxp%3Dmtr

About to have them installed and I will update on the results of how them came out if its worth buying.

Thanks that would be appreciated. Those are the ones i'm looking at buying too. The seller has pretty much all positive feedback with 0 negative so i'm thinking it's good quality and fitment.

[A-4WD]

Thanks for the recommendations and feedback everyone, much appreciated.

[Radekxpl]

Originally Posted by ara_yaz

Thanks for the recommendations and feedback everyone, much appreciated.

I will report back as soon I have some updates on the flares.

[A-4WD]

Originally Posted by Radekxpl

I will report back as soon I have some updates on the flares.

Awesome, thank you.

[Zamorskii]

Originally Posted by ara_yaz

Hi, I'm looking at getting a set of the ebay ones for my truck too. Did you end up getting them painted? Were there any issues with painting them if you did have them painted?

Thanks.

Here are few final pictures.