[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

So I'm confused. NA spec F98s *can* be ordered without roof rails? Or is it literally just the US that can't delete them? I know the F97 they can't be deleted here.

Originally Posted by Max Well

That's my understanding. I've tried building the F98 on the bmwusa website and have never found a way to delete the rails (just like the F97 here in the US as well). Perhaps GOLFFRR and JayPichardo can comment to confirm.

On the bright side for the F98 Drivers, though - would think they should be able to order paint-matched roof trim strips which would bypass the most difficult and labor-intensive aspect of the replacement process if they wish to remove their rails. Would be interesting to read if that's true.

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

Ill double check with my guys and let you know. I believe you use to be able to delete the roof rails at one point just not sure when or if you still are able to. Its a little early over here but as soon as the morning starts ill shoot them a text and let you know

On a Canadian spec F98 you just remove option code 3MC (High Gloss Black Roof Rail) from the build. Clients can't do it online, the dealer needs to do it in that ugly AS400 looking system.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

On a Canadian spec F98 you just remove option code 3MC (High Gloss Black Roof Rail) from the build.

Yours looks awesome! Will have to see if we can do the same here in the US...

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

Ill double check with my guys and let you know. I believe you use to be able to delete the roof rails at one point just not sure when or if you still are able to. Its a little early over here but as soon as the morning starts ill shoot them a text and let you know

Thank you both! I'm placing an order in the next two weeks so would be helpful to know ahead of time if it can be done

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Yours looks awesome! Will have to see if we can do the same here in the US...

Thanks! Good luck with the new build

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Thank you both! I'm placing an order in the next two weeks so would be helpful to know ahead of time if it can be done

just got home from playing quick 9 holes. I shot them a text ill know here shortly

[GOLFFRR]

looks like you can not, they come standard.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

looks like you can not, they come standard.

Thank you!

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

looks like you can not, they come standard.

on both the F97 and F98 ?

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

looks like you can not, they come standard.

Thanks for checking, GOLFFRR . At least we do have a straightforward solution now for those who don't want them. I guess the only remaining question for the F98 group would be whether pre-painted OEM strips can be ordered rather than having to sand and paint like the F97 trim. If anyone finds out please share here.

And here's another X4MC without rails which mit_p shared in another thread: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...postcount=1460 .

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

on both the F97 and F98 ?

yes x3/4

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Thanks for checking, GOLFFRR . At least we do have a straightforward solution now for those who don't want them. I guess the only remaining question for the F98 group would be whether pre-painted OEM strips can be ordered rather than having to sand and paint like the F97 trim. If anyone finds out please share here.

And here's another X4MC without rails which mit_p shared in another thread: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...postcount=1460 .

Checked with parts here in Canada, the rails cannot be ordered pre-painted. They come primed which I guess may eliminate some labor in sanding and prep.

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

yes x3/4

Thx.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

Checked with parts here in Canada, the rails cannot be ordered pre-painted. They come primed which I guess may eliminate some labor in sanding and prep.

Thanks for sharing, 2kaccordocoupe - solves that final question.

[larsmin]

One more quick tip.
I strongly advise not to push or bang the finishing trims. Just push the actual clipping areas gently.
Otherwise, even though the trims are quite hard plastics, they will bend and wiggle.

[larsmin]

+ for lighter exterior colors, I do recommend to paint the the windscreen gutters also to get maximum clean look. It will be my next mod.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by larsmin

+ for lighter exterior colors, I do recommend to paint the the windscreen gutters also to get maximum clean look. It will be my next mod.

If you can do it no doubt it'll look a lot better. Here's a comparison between the F95 which gets stuck with the utilitarian look like we have vs the F96 which comes with painted side strips which produces a more refined aesthetic.

But the material feels more like a rubber gasket rather than hard plastic like the roof trim which was easily sanded, so I'm not sure it'll paint as well? Let us know what you and your paint technician figure out. Getting that strip out no doubt opens up another can of worms too - need to remove the windshield to get to it?

I'm also attaching an image I edited to show my wife how her PB X3MC would look without the rails.

[Max Well]

With much appreciation to bknight who allowed me to edit his fantastic BSM F95 image which he shared in Sep 2020 (found at https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=64). Top image was his native image for reference.

[bknight]

Originally Posted by Max Well

With much appreciation to bknight who allowed me to edit his fantastic BSM F95 image which he shared in Sep 2020 (found at https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=64). Top image was his native image for reference.

Looks good, nice work!!

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by bknight

Looks good, nice work!!

Thanks! Hoping BMW will also allow F95 Drivers to option painted roof trim instead of rails in the future. IMO it provides a cleaner performance aesthetic.

I'd be interested in seeing how airflow looks with and without rails in a CFD simulation (computational fluid dynamics). Saturday I had a 200 mile hwy trip with speeds 70mph+ with light rain so was able to get a rough idea of the flow off the windshield by looking at the road grime tracks (crude layman's surrogate for a wind tunnel). Widely dispersed radial lines are evident with some crossing the roof trim even downstream rather than having most channeled down the roof by the rails. Have to think this should improve aerodynamics.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

... The SAV really does look much more sleek & coupe-esk (if there is such a word) without the roof rails...

Agreed. The more I see it from a distance in parking lots, especially when viewed near other SUVs, it does appear like a cross between those and actual SAV coupe models.

While researching the new iX I was curious to see how our F97's lines compare to it, so am attaching an image comparison. The iX dimensions appear (based on what BMW has told us so far) to be similar to a slightly vertically flattened X5. And if you superimpose the iX on the X3M shape, it almost overlays the outline perfectly, especially the hood/windshield/roof angles.

So BMW must feel really good about the aerodynamic design of the G01/F97 to end up with a similar general form in modelling the iX. An interesting article discussing the interplay of 'Design vs Aerodynamics' was written by Ezra Dyer in Jun 2018 in Popular Mechanics - popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a21272157/aerodynamics-car-science/ .

The F97's Cd is 0.36, whereas that of the iX is reported as 0.25. Considering the outer shell is generally similar, this shows the extent of drag we have with the engine compartment, wheels, and performance enhancement. Just having the rear spoiler flare upwards to improve downforce at high speed surely adds drag as well. The Aerodynamics team must've enjoyed their prominent role in the iX development, when they surely had to compromise with their Design colleagues in the F97.

[Max Well]

Rails-no rails side by side, with IND-Distribution rear wipers installed after Dobie Dog's suggestion.

[Dobie Dog]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Rails-no rails side by side

Nice comparison pic. My rails gotta go....

[Dobie Dog]

Max Well Off topic...Have you considered blacking these out?