Fender Flares width?

[1norseman]

I just searched 6 pages, and could not find an answer.
No F15's on the dealership lot, with flares either, so..

Does anyone know how much wider the flares are, compared to the non flared trim?
Also, are the X5M flares even wider, or the same as M-Sport?
Thnx,

(Edit, now installed... 15mm front, and 30mm rear)

[menelaos]

They should be 1'' width. M and non-M use the same.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by menelaos

They should be 1'' width. M and non-M use the same.

+1

[M302_imola]

Enough you'll need wheel spacers to push the stance out if you add them to a non-msport model. Ask me how I know

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Enough you'll need wheel spacers to push the stance out if you add them to a non-msport model. Ask me how I know

Yeah, with factory wheels that's a given. Something tells me you have experienced this.... LOL

I'm in the process of ordering wheels from our resident parts supplier Ben R33_RGSport , and I'm trying to figure out what ET's to order them with.
Trying to minimize thickness of the spacers, that I'm sure I will still need to also order from him, once I get all the rest done and tested..

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

Yeah, with factory wheels that's a given. Something tells me you have experienced this.... LOL

I'm in the process of ordering wheels from our resident parts supplier Ben R33_RGSport , and I'm trying to figure out what ET's to order them with.
Trying to minimize thickness of the spacers, that I'm sure I will still need to also order from him, once I get all the rest done and tested..

I have all the fitment specs for these cars. Just let me know what they have and I'll be able to tell you what ET and what size of spacer or not.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

Yeah, with factory wheels that's a given. Something tells me you have experienced this.... LOL

I'm in the process of ordering wheels from our resident parts supplier Ben R33_RGSport , and I'm trying to figure out what ET's to order them with.
Trying to minimize thickness of the spacers, that I'm sure I will still need to also order from him, once I get all the rest done and tested..

Ben is the man with the plan! Gave him my wheel and tire specs and stated I was looking to go aggressive so he suggested 15mm front 20mm rear. Just got to get around to installing them this weekend. Excited

[KProX5]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Enough you'll need wheel spacers to push the stance out if you add them to a non-msport model. Ask me how I know

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but why would spacers be necessary? I have a non-msport F15 and want to switch my 19" wheels to winter and use 20" staggered wheels for the rest of the year.

I'm in the market to add flares, but the prices for painted with install . . . uffda.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by KProX5

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but why would spacers be necessary? I have a non-msport F15 and want to switch my 19" wheels to winter and use 20" staggered wheels for the rest of the year.

I'm in the market to add flares, but the prices for painted with install . . . uffda.

There was an aftermarket supplier in Romania, w/paintable ones around $250.
But he sold out soon. OEMs around $700.
Non paintable ones are around and affordable but don't look good imo.

[KProX5]

Originally Posted by menelaos

There was an aftermarket supplier in Romania, w/paintable ones around $250.
But he sold out soon. OEMs around $700.
Non paintable ones are around and affordable but don't look good imo.

That's my fear. I have Black Sapphire Metallic paint and could probably get by with unpainted flares, but they still won't look right.

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by menelaos

There was an aftermarket supplier in Romania, w/paintable ones around $250.
But he sold out soon. OEMs around $700.
Non paintable ones are around and affordable but don't look good imo.

Ask your local dealership parts guy for an enthusiast price, and see what they can do.
They might ask if you are a BMWCCA member, but usually up to the parts guy.
If the dealership is smart about it, they will try to take care of you, so you come back when you "need" more parts.
Also check with Ben, r33_RGSport see what he can do..

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by KProX5

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but why would spacers be necessary? I have a non-msport F15 and want to switch my 19" wheels to winter and use 20" staggered wheels for the rest of the year.

I'm in the market to add flares, but the prices for painted with install . . . uffda.

I see your profile shows you are in CO. If you are close to Breck, I can let you see what spacers does. But I'm leaving Mon or Tue.
Currently with my winter tires, I use spacers up front, and a custom set up for the rear, to not need spacers there and stay with same size tire on all four corners.
But with my old OEM 19"s I had 30mm spacers at the rear, to make it look ok.
When I get the flares, I will have to get new spacers, if I want to keep the flush wheels look. But I might let the flares hang over a bit with the winter set up, and only worry about staying close to flush, with the summer wheels set up.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

Ask your local dealership parts guy for an enthusiast price, and see what they can do.
They might ask if you are a BMWCCA member, but usually up to the parts guy.
If the dealership is smart about it, they will try to take care of you, so you come back when you "need" more parts.
Also check with Ben, r33_RGSport see what he can do..

No need as I already have them!

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by menelaos

No need as I already have them!

It was more meant for anyone reading your reply..
$700 is retail, and you can get better deals than that when buying OEM, if you work it..

[AnotherM3]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

It was more meant for anyone reading your reply..
$700 is retail, and you can get better deals than that when buying OEM, if you work it..

Curious to know... what low price can we possibly expect to see for these OEM flares?

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

Ask your local dealership parts guy for an enthusiast price, and see what they can do.
They might ask if you are a BMWCCA member, but usually up to the parts guy.
If the dealership is smart about it, they will try to take care of you, so you come back when you "need" more parts.
Also check with Ben, r33_RGSport see what he can do..

Originally Posted by menelaos

No need as I already have them!

Originally Posted by 1norseman

It was more meant for anyone reading your reply..
$700 is retail, and you can get better deals than that when buying OEM, if you work it..

Originally Posted by AnotherM3

Curious to know... what low price can we possibly expect to see for these OEM flares?

Well, I never said "low price", not sure where you got that from. These things are not cheap!
I suggested contacting the local dealership parts guy, and see what he could do, if he's even willing to do anything except charge full retail?!?!

There is a reason many people call it "stealerships", and people get the perception that if they buy from the local place, they will get overcharged, so they don't bother to even ask!
My opinion is that if you make an effort and ask locally about the price, you might get pleasantly surprised.
I also suggested contacting our forum guy Ben, and see what he can do.

Competition for the sale, is a beautiful thing!

[AnotherM3]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

Well, I never said "low price", not sure where you got that from. These things are not cheap!
I suggested contacting the local dealership parts guy, and see what he could do, if he's even willing to do anything except charge full retail?!?!

There is a reason many people call it "stealerships", and people get the perception that if they buy from the local place, they will get overcharged, so they don't bother to even ask!
My opinion is that if you make an effort and ask locally about the price, you might get pleasantly surprised.
I also suggested contacting our forum guy Ben, and see what he can do.

Competition for the sale, is a beautiful thing!

Gotcha! And very true! I'll swing by some time, I remember they gave me a BMWCCA discount without even asking me last time.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by KProX5

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but why would spacers be necessary? I have a non-msport F15 and want to switch my 19" wheels to winter and use 20" staggered wheels for the rest of the year.

I'm in the market to add flares, but the prices for painted with install . . . uffda.

I like my wheels to be flush with the fenders. Looks more aggressive to me so the spacers push the wheels out to achieve this look.

I went with ebay fender flares and paid around $200. $350 for paint and prep and I installed them myself. Very pleased with the outcome!

[spierce]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

I like my wheels to be flush with the fenders. Looks more aggressive to me so the spacers push the wheels out to achieve this look.

I went with ebay fender flares and paid around $200. $350 for paint and prep and I installed them myself. Very pleased with the outcome!

Originally Posted by M302_imola

I like my wheels to be flush with the fenders. Looks more aggressive to me so the spacers push the wheels out to achieve this look.

I went with ebay fender flares and paid around $200. $350 for paint and prep and I installed them myself. Very pleased with the outcome!

Did you do paint/prep on your own?

[KProX5]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

I see your profile shows you are in CO. If you are close to Breck, I can let you see what spacers does. But I'm leaving Mon or Tue.
Currently with my winter tires, I use spacers up front, and a custom set up for the rear, to not need spacers there and stay with same size tire on all four corners.
But with my old OEM 19"s I had 30mm spacers at the rear, to make it look ok.
When I get the flares, I will have to get new spacers, if I want to keep the flush wheels look. But I might let the flares hang over a bit with the winter set up, and only worry about staying close to flush, with the summer wheels set up.

Appreciate the offer, but can't make it to Breck before you head out.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by spierce

Did you do paint/prep on your own?

No, paid a local shop.

[1norseman]

So I got the flares painted, had the body shop install them for me, and I just got the vehicle back tonight. Spent around a grand on it all, and if someone needs really nice oem flat non flared wheel arch trim in black paint code 475, to replace any damaged ones, shoot me a message!

I had planned to have the car back sooner, but some other things got in the way. Life happens..

Anyway, I also made an update in the initial post. 1" is NOT correct.

Front flares protrudes out 15mm, and the rear ones 30mm. (1" is 25.4mm)
I'm wondering if there are different flares for the X5M, and that's what I ended up with at the rear, since I don't remember them being this wide on M-sport models I have looked at in the past.
Looks great though, now I just need to figure out what new wheels to buy.