Running Boards - Dirty/Muddy/Icy?

[nyquistcondition]

I live in northern New England and I am ready to pull the trigger on a xDrive 3.5i.

Do the running boards accumulate snow/mud/dirt/ice? I am considering eliminating them. I like the way they look but I don't want a mess in the winter/spring. Experiences?

[BMW603]

I'm in the same area--

And I don't run them .. they hold a ton of sand and crap.

not on my present rig or the new one I'm ordering.

[cy07]

Originally Posted by nyquistcondition

I live in northern NH and I am ready to pull the trigger on a xDrive 3.5i.

Do the running boards accumulate snow/mud/dirt/ice? I am considering eliminating them. I like the way they look but I don't want a mess in the winter/spring. Experiences?

I think besides loading and unloading gears to the roof rack you will find very little use of the running board. It looks great but not much functionality in daily usage.

[nyquistcondition]

I'm loading bikes and skis often so that is a big use case. Thanks for the heads up.

[cy07]

Originally Posted by nyquistcondition

I'm loading bikes and skis often so that is a big use case. Thanks for the heads up.

Same here lol, winter's coming and these snowboard gears are going up than IN lol.

[BXdriver]

If I didn't have them...I would probably ride as a lonesome man 97% of the time...

Wife needs them to climb in.

Now, lets see (very) soon how they will behave in the snowy/icy winter here

Best
Bent

[paicapo]

In my experience, running boards are god for two things; kids or very short people and esthetics which of course is a matter of opinion.
If you live where there are seasons with rain and snow you will definitely get some dirt and stains on your pants whit runningsborards.

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by paicapo

In my experience, running boards are god for two things; kids or very short people and esthetics which of course is a matter of opinion.
If you live where there are seasons with rain and snow you will definitely get some dirt and stains on your pants whit runningsborards.

+1.

A real running board is lower than the bottom of the door/floor and provides a real step. BMW's are protrusions, not a step. Mud on calves is unavoidable unless you have room to completely swing open your door.

[Roundown]

F15 running boards are quite a bit narrower. I didn't have any notable issues with ice/snow accumulation (and spend a lot of time in North Conway). Good luck.

[Wardman]

Waiting for deliver on X5 and had the running boards deleted. I could feel them hitting the back of my leg getting out of the truck. I am 6 feet tall, no need for them IMO. Look nice, but so will the contrasting white they put there on the lux line.

[Wardman]

Just picked my X5 up. Funny part is that there is still a "shelf" where the running board would be that your leg hits. I like the look without the running board - adds some contrast to the Alpine White - but fyi in case anyone was wondering.

[cy07]

Clean ride Wardman, I like the contrast a lot with alpine white.

On the side note, not a fan of mud flap~ haha

[Wardman]

Thanks - I hear you, that angle makes them stand out too. The don't look so dramatic normally, and have become my trademark :-)