gaj

I've just picked out this 530 xiT here in Canada and we're wondering what we need to do in order to have OEM rails put on the vehicle as we don't want to put muddy / dirty gear in the car.

Comments / thoughts from those who've done this mod would be appreciated.

westcoast550

They look great without the rails , I remember a few members trying to take them off . I think the dealer is the best place to go with this one since it's more about ensuring correct installation for safety /functionality vs looks ...................good luck

Hellraiser

i took them out!
easy job! just need to be careful with the details!

Tiago

I want to see your car now And where it was done and for how much? Did you already put a muffler bypass in your car?
I'm waiting for a special tips (E60 M5 oval eisenmann replicas) to mount the M5 bumper. The only cons of this conversion is the self-suspension compressor that needs to be placed in other place.

ademitt

Welcome to the site gaj.....Nice car.


Our mutual friend jbeene put them on his E61. It takes time and costs some money. I am sure he can tell you all the parts you need and how much it will cost.

jbeene

As Ademmit says and a certian bezinga knows I am quite familiar with this process.

Step 1 - special order the parts through the local dealer at a cost that will make your ears bleed.

Step 2 - Wait for parts to come from Germany (4 weeks)

Step 3 - Schedule an appointment with the local dealer who, since you did not buy your car from them, will result in a service appointment for installation some time in the 3rd quarter of 2011.

Step 4 - Arrange for painting of the trim pieces as they come unpainted.

Step 5 - Show up for appointment and be told a 2 hour job will take 8 and half hours and they need your car for 3 days, not the afternoon everyone else knows it should take. Reschedule appointment (usually twice).

Step 6 - Snap, comment on the absurdity of the process and installation cost. Berate service advisor who is no longer registering your comments. You will have now made the situation far worse.

Step 7 - bang head against wall - it feels better than talking to the SA about your car not being complete after 4 months of trying.

Step 8 - repeat step 7.

Step 9 - Repeat step 8

Step 10 - Repeat step 9.

Step 11 - leave your car with the dealer for 2.5 days and incur $650 installation charge for a job that should cost $200. Fortunately the only reason it is "only $650" will be because you held on to the quote they gave you when the parts were ordered 6 months ago. Otherwise they will be fully prepared to soak you for $850.

Step 12 - retrieve car, install Thule and marvel in the strength of the entire set up while cruising at 160 km/h with 4 bikes on the roof.

My actual recommendation is that you order the parts through Tischer BMW on-line at a reasonable cost, then talk to Continental Autobody about painting the strips and installing the rails.

Don't waste your time with the dealer through any part of this process. I wasted enough for every e61 in the country.

ademitt

Brilliant

BMW ownership in a nutshell, especially Step 7

Hellraiser

You can see my car here:

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=53084&st=15


The mod was made by myself and a couple of friends!
I?m doing a doublel tipped exhaust but with 90mm mandrel tips!