E70 X5 3.0si with Ebay Fender Flares

[jandref321]

Gents,

A few weeks ago my wife’s X5 started running dry on washer fluid on a regular basis. I searched around on the forums and found that it’s a regular problem for the washer pumps to start leaking. The problem is that you don’t know which one it is and the reservoir is difficult to get to. The consensus online is to just replace them both. The DIY included removing the fender flare, the running board, and a bit of the fender. Her X5 didn’t have actual flared fenders so it was only natural for this DIY to absolutely require new fender arches as a fact. Being frugal and not so concerned with fitment I ordered from ebay and bought some H&R spacers to fill the gap. The washer replacement was aweful only because of the lack of photos in forum DIYs and because I had a problem seating 1 bolt during the reassembly that cost me over an hour delay. The ebay flares fit well enough though. They were a little tight but I would expect that, and the only misfitment was the center rivet hole on the front flares. There was actually an impression in the fender itself where the flare hole aligned as though this was a second location that needed to be drilled for the rivet. All the other rivets aligned so I didn’t bother with the one off. The only bother in the whole ordeal was that a few holes in the rear fender that were a tight fit for even the extra OEM rivets I purchased. I ended up dremeling them out a bit to fit.
IMG_0996
The spacers are 20mm front and 30mm rear.
IMG_1982
IMG_1983
IMG_1984
There is still enough room in the rear for another 20mm of spacer…but 50mm spacers don’t exist (in the US) and rims are a safer and better option. I’ve been following some Xoutpost guys who turn their trucks into more offroad capable vehicles with 18”X8” rims with low offsets and oversized tires. Not too many options with no available lift kits, but with the right specs you can put 30.5” tires on. This will be an option when our current tires run down.

[Ryan5034]

What size spacers did you end up using front and rear? And what wheels are you using?

Thinking about converting my fenders as well.

[jandref321]

Originally Posted by Ryan5034

What size spacers did you end up using front and rear? And what wheels are you using?

Thinking about converting my fenders as well.

They are the stock 18x8.5ET46 rims and I used 20mm front and 30mm rear spacers.

[gixxerboy63]

X5M and another E70 for the wife?
Hmmm.... sounds familiar.

[blue dragon]

Whose red SL is that?

[gixxerboy63]

Originally Posted by blue dragon

Whose red SL is that?

Its ours. If you look closely, you will see our neighbors SL in the background, my silver M3 sedan (now sold) and my GMC.

[jandref321]

Originally Posted by gixxerboy63

X5M and another E70 for the wife?
Hmmm.... sounds familiar.

Yep, we started with hers a couple years back and it's been a beast, making it through a 6.5k mile road trip and still driving on. I'm a big fan of the X5, plenty of room and utility while still being a BMW.

Looks like you keep a full lot!