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Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
- paulbryson75
- Member
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 1:48 pm
- Location: Northern Ireland
Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
I have very recently fitted a skid plate to my E53 so thought this might be of some interest to some of you.
Personally I am adverse to changing the X5 too much from OEM as love the way it looks, been there done that with the Vauxhall Nova body kits a few years back , I saw a car fitted with the skid plate though and really thought it helped the front of the car - so got one for Christmas.
This will only fit the standard bumper - not i believe the unit from the 4.8 though i could be wrong - i also believe that it fits facelift and pre-facelift (mine is a pre)
I tried to source the part in the UK from a couple of dealers - they had never even heard of it - it was only available to source from the US even though it is a BMW OEM part.
Using google i tried a couple of suppliers in the US, as always with dealing with US suppliers communication and customer service was second to none - though most would not ship to Europe. I eventually decided to purchase the part via an ebay shop 'bavarian-auto' - mike@bavarianautoparts.net The cost of the skid plate was $239 and he agreed to post if for $50 making a total of $289 or £185 at the exchange rates at the time.
Shipping took approx 2 weeks though this was early December so Christmas may have played a part, my parcel was also intercepted by customs so had to pay a total of £38 to have the parcel cleared and delivered. This is a risk you take and would seem haphazard, have ordered several parcels from the states over the years - some get past customs - some don't!
The Skid plate arrived very well packaged, with all instructions and a fitting kit (various screws and fittings) - the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The unit is made of Urethane and is 'ready' to spray when it arrives. I had planned on buying a couple of cans of spray paint in my body colour and spraying myself but when I priced this decided (more expensive than thought and was also worried about quality) on taking the part to a local body shop who charged me a total of £40 to prime, mix the paint and spray.
I decided to paint mine in my cars body colour though I have seen them look really good done in Titanium to match the grill on a black car - looks good.
Total costs then:-
BMW skid Plate and shipping from US £185
Customs and royal mail charge £38
Paint & Spraying £40
Total £263
Fitting - the instructions are clear and easy to follow. Three 9.5mm holes need to be drilled into the lower bumper to facilitate fitting. Fitting the unit took me just over an hour. Tools required, 8mm socket, star screw driver, drill.
The painted unit is held in situ by 5 screws already holding the bumper in place and 3 new fittings added as part of the installation, the unit also has a 'sticky seal' around the edge.
Finished
How unit arrives with instructions
Instructions
In position
All in all very happy with it - did work out more expensive than planned but does make the car quite unique and i do think it improves the frontal look of the car - please excuse winter wheels in photos .
Personally I am adverse to changing the X5 too much from OEM as love the way it looks, been there done that with the Vauxhall Nova body kits a few years back , I saw a car fitted with the skid plate though and really thought it helped the front of the car - so got one for Christmas.
This will only fit the standard bumper - not i believe the unit from the 4.8 though i could be wrong - i also believe that it fits facelift and pre-facelift (mine is a pre)
I tried to source the part in the UK from a couple of dealers - they had never even heard of it - it was only available to source from the US even though it is a BMW OEM part.
Using google i tried a couple of suppliers in the US, as always with dealing with US suppliers communication and customer service was second to none - though most would not ship to Europe. I eventually decided to purchase the part via an ebay shop 'bavarian-auto' - mike@bavarianautoparts.net The cost of the skid plate was $239 and he agreed to post if for $50 making a total of $289 or £185 at the exchange rates at the time.
Shipping took approx 2 weeks though this was early December so Christmas may have played a part, my parcel was also intercepted by customs so had to pay a total of £38 to have the parcel cleared and delivered. This is a risk you take and would seem haphazard, have ordered several parcels from the states over the years - some get past customs - some don't!
The Skid plate arrived very well packaged, with all instructions and a fitting kit (various screws and fittings) - the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The unit is made of Urethane and is 'ready' to spray when it arrives. I had planned on buying a couple of cans of spray paint in my body colour and spraying myself but when I priced this decided (more expensive than thought and was also worried about quality) on taking the part to a local body shop who charged me a total of £40 to prime, mix the paint and spray.
I decided to paint mine in my cars body colour though I have seen them look really good done in Titanium to match the grill on a black car - looks good.
Total costs then:-
BMW skid Plate and shipping from US £185
Customs and royal mail charge £38
Paint & Spraying £40
Total £263
Fitting - the instructions are clear and easy to follow. Three 9.5mm holes need to be drilled into the lower bumper to facilitate fitting. Fitting the unit took me just over an hour. Tools required, 8mm socket, star screw driver, drill.
The painted unit is held in situ by 5 screws already holding the bumper in place and 3 new fittings added as part of the installation, the unit also has a 'sticky seal' around the edge.
Finished
How unit arrives with instructions
Instructions
In position
All in all very happy with it - did work out more expensive than planned but does make the car quite unique and i do think it improves the frontal look of the car - please excuse winter wheels in photos .
02 X5 3.0d SE - Mods: Double exhaust, Angel eyes, orange bits removed! M-Sport steering wheel, e70 X5 Alloys, Aftermarket Sat/Nav DVD with rear screen, Webasto T91 Telestart, skid pan.
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
Nice write up, i'm sure someone else has fitted one of them too. dose look good though!
Current 2010 BMW X5 40d Msport E70FL 2014 BMW 435d Cab 2016 Mercedes Vito 119 Sport LWB
- bullethead
- Member
- Posts: 392
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 6:39 pm
- Location: Westbury
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
[quote=""Minda""]Nice write up, i'm sure someone else has fitted one of them too. dose look good though![/quote]
King Sanj but I liked this post more
King Sanj but I liked this post more
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
[quote=""bullethead""][quote=""Minda""]Nice write up, i'm sure someone else has fitted one of them too. dose look good though![/quote]
King Sanj but I liked this post more [/quote]
King Sanj but I liked this post more [/quote]
Current 2010 BMW X5 40d Msport E70FL 2014 BMW 435d Cab 2016 Mercedes Vito 119 Sport LWB
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
Pauper Sanj you mean....
Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds
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- Snr Member
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:52 pm
- Location: Manchester
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
I saw a silver one....where I can't remember....but it looked ace
What I don't get is if it's a BMW part....why can on not go into any dealer and order it?
I purchased m3 bushes from the dealer to press into the arms on my 318ti sport compact...no questions asked...helluva difference though....never got turned away even though they were not listed for my vehicle
PS....I navigate muddy roads and tracks...I imagine it wouldn't last long....the paintwork that is
What I don't get is if it's a BMW part....why can on not go into any dealer and order it?
I purchased m3 bushes from the dealer to press into the arms on my 318ti sport compact...no questions asked...helluva difference though....never got turned away even though they were not listed for my vehicle
PS....I navigate muddy roads and tracks...I imagine it wouldn't last long....the paintwork that is
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
[quote=""bullethead""]but I liked this post more [/quote]
Button it and get your car sold!
Button it and get your car sold!
Last edited by Sanj on Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
Put ur hand bags away!
Current 2010 BMW X5 40d Msport E70FL 2014 BMW 435d Cab 2016 Mercedes Vito 119 Sport LWB
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
I fitted one on my silver pre face and colour coded it around two years ago.
I bought it from a dealer in Germany, can't remember the name, very easy to fit and makes the front more 'aggressive'
I bought it from a dealer in Germany, can't remember the name, very easy to fit and makes the front more 'aggressive'
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- Snr Member
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:52 pm
- Location: Manchester
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
Found it
Looks the nuts on a silver car
This is some bloke called zerochief
Looks the nuts on a silver car
This is some bloke called zerochief
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
Looks even better as the car's lowered.
Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds
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- Snr Member
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:52 pm
- Location: Manchester
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
[quote=""Sanj""]Looks even better as the car's lowered.[/quote]
I noticed that...drool fest...not sure how big the wheels are
I noticed that...drool fest...not sure how big the wheels are
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
OEM 20's from the 4.6is
Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
[quote=""Sanj""]Looks even better as the car's lowered.[/quote]
Sure that will help when the first big kerb appears
Looks good in the mean time though
Sure that will help when the first big kerb appears
Looks good in the mean time though
3.0d Sport Exclusive E53 CB with black comfort, pano, folding dimming mirrors, 20"ers, comms, xenons, focal sub, Intravee II, GSM heater........and so on.
Runabout - E92 3 Series Coupe
Runabout - E92 3 Series Coupe
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- Snr Member
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:52 pm
- Location: Manchester
Re: Source and Fit a Skid Plate E53
[quote=""Sanj""]OEM 20's from the 4.6is[/quote]
Hmmm thanks for that...more drooling
[quote=""rusty nail""]
Sure that will help when the first big kerb appears
Looks good in the mean time though[/quote]
Makes it look ageless...has that certain hoover little cars up and wider look
Hmmm thanks for that...more drooling
[quote=""rusty nail""]
Sure that will help when the first big kerb appears
Looks good in the mean time though[/quote]
Makes it look ageless...has that certain hoover little cars up and wider look