[spta97]

Some people don't care for them, nothing to see here for you..move along

Some background, I was disappointed to learn there were no OEM mudflaps for the X3M as I find them useful for preventing sand blasting of my paint, dirt on the side, and sling from tire dressing.

I saw some innovative options like JLT who got a universal one and had a shop cut them:

I had those sitting in the garage and was pretty convinced I would not do a great job in cutting them. I also wanted more of an integrated one.

I found this thread on the G01 forum where people with the M40i found an eBay option for the 2018 - 2019 "M Sport" X3

During a test fit they seemed as if they would work. I have ruined paint before with mud flaps that rest on it so I wanted to protect my paint. I already had PPF on the front but not the rear. I also had the entire car ceramic coated.

After making some templates with paper, I put PPF on the fender flairs in the rear. It turned out pretty good for my first time, the hardest part was cutting to the right size. The ceramic coated paint was pretty slippery but I think it will stick ok as I'm careful washing.

You have to remove the pop rivets (2 for each front, 1 for each back) and a couple/few 8mm bolts. I found this vid extremely helpful. I modified the technique and used a small torx bit and a 2x4 using the tire tread for leverage. What was great about this method is the bit was long enough to pop the center of the rivet, but short enough to not have the center part fall out - they all came out in one piece.

The mud flaps I installed came with these screws and fender clips with a screw hole (I'm sure there is a technical name but I do not know what it is):


I used those on the backs but ran out of fender clips.


Luckily the original universal set of mud flaps I didn't end up using had the same but in black with an 8mm bolt head.


Here's what they look like on the fronts:


I tried to use these pop rivets I got on Amazon, but the flaps really required a screw to pull them tight to the fender. Moreover, I could not get the pin to pull through with pliers. Not a fan of this brand but it could be they require a rivet gun.

I was working in my tiny 1 car garage so couldn't take off the wheels. Using my Skewdriver, which if you do not already own, I highly recommend getting, I didn't even need to turn the front wheels. I've used this tool more than any other tool I own.

Anyway, once I abandoned the pop rivets and used the screws, things went pretty easy.

Overall I'm very happy with the look and fit for $35 and some wrenching. They look like they will completely protect the car and they are not that noticeable on my Dark Graphite X3MC.

[MrItaly]

Quite attractive I must say.... Nice job! Never heard of a skewdriver. I'll check it out.

[forza1976]

Originally Posted by MrItaly

Quite attractive I must say.... Nice job! Never heard of a skewdriver. I'll check it out.

I feel pretty “skewed” after a whiskey.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by MrItaly

Quite attractive I must say.... Nice job! Never heard of a skewdriver. I'll check it out.

It’s basically a right angle screw driver with a lot of common bits and small sockets (link above).

I can’t count how many times I’ve used it over the decades.

You can even attach it to a drill if needed.

[-JLT-]

great job and looks good

[spta97]

Originally Posted by -JLT-

great job and looks good

Thanks JLT!

I stared at those universal mud flaps for some time and kept on saying "There is no way I'm gonna cut those and not look like a monkey with a chainsaw did it

When I ran out of the screws/clips, I tore apart my garage looking for more and came across that handy pack of hardware....perfect and saved me a trip!

[cthomp88]

Originally Posted by spta97

Thanks JLT!

I stared at those universal mud flaps for some time and kept on saying "There is no way I'm gonna cut those and not look like a monkey with a chainsaw did it

When I ran out of the screws/clips, I tore apart my garage looking for more and came across that handy pack of hardware....perfect and saved me a trip!

I just ordered those off of eBay. The extra pack you talk about came from those universal mud flaps?

[spta97]

Originally Posted by cthomp88

I just ordered those off of eBay. The extra pack you talk about came from those universal mud flaps?

Correct. I can't say for certain if these ones came with the correct amount of clips as I was a few short (though I think ended up using at least one for my truck on another project as I was planning on using the pop rivets on the X3).

That hardware pack on the universal flaps (the flaps I did not use) was nicer because the screws are black (though the finish seems to wear easily) and they had large washers and were very similar to the OEM ones with a 8mm bolt/philips screw combo head.

The screws that came with flaps I installed were thicker though.

I'm sure you can get a pack like that at a hardware store/Amazon. I used 6 in total (4 front/2 back - in addition to the existing OEM screw bolts).

If I were to do it again, I would have used the black ones in the back as well.

I don't know how they will hold up to rusting but I'm not really concerned.

[cthomp88]

Originally Posted by spta97

Correct. I can't say for certain if these ones came with the correct amount of clips as I was a few short (though I think ended up using at least one for my truck on another project as I was planning on using the pop rivets on the X3).

That hardware pack on the universal flaps (the flaps I did not use) was nicer because the screws are black (though the finish seems to wear easily) and they had large washers and were very similar to the OEM ones with a 8mm bolt/philips screw combo head.

The screws that came with flaps I installed were thicker though.

I'm sure you can get a pack like that at a hardware store/Amazon. I used 6 in total (4 front/2 back - in addition to the existing OEM screw bolts).

If I were to do it again, I would have used the black ones in the back as well.

I don't know how they will hold up to rusting but I'm not really concerned.

Thanks!

[spta97]

Originally Posted by cthomp88

Thanks!

Anytime

Please post back pics once you get them installed and let me know if you have any questions.

[MarinoB]

OP for the second time I followed your lead and was not disappointed! Thanks again for sharing.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by MarinoB

OP for the second time I followed your lead and was not disappointed! Thanks again for sharing.

I'm 2 and 2...Yay!

Glad I could help brother!

So did you have any concerns with paint rubbing/putting PPF?

How about the hardware? Did what came with the flaps suffice?

Edited to add - I REALLY like the way they look on dark X3Ms, like more than without.

Curious to see them installed on a lighter color.

[cfm56d7b]

The mud flaps look as if they came with the vehicle. Nice job!

[sinbad4]

OP.. love the driveway!

[spta97]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

The mud flaps look as if they came with the vehicle. Nice job!

Thanks! I'm super happy with not only the look but the protection from my rock-magnet summer tires. I can't go 10 feet without the tires covered with pebbles as if you dipped an ice cream cone in sprinkles

Originally Posted by sinbad4

OP.. love the driveway!

Thanks! It's now like 15 years old but holding up pretty well. It better, cost an arm and a leg!

[elisiX]

They really seem to blend in well on the darker vehicles.

It'd be nice to see how they come off on Alpine White.

[knepsterd]

Originally Posted by elisiX

They really seem to blend in well on the darker vehicles.

It'd be nice to see how they come off on Alpine White.

This will probably not work with 265/40/21 and 295/35/21 tires. Correct?

[heavyD^2]

I put them on my Toronto Red X3M Comp. They stand out obviously compared to dark colored vehicles but they at least look OEM and don't have the gaps of having to modify the OEM regular X3 guards.
I had to used 2-sided tape on the rear ones to get perfect fitment but overall these are good for the money and I don't hear rocks pinging on the sides of the car anymore.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by knepsterd

This will probably not work with 265/40/21 and 295/35/21 tires. Correct?

It's hard to say and you bring up a good point. If you post pics of the clearance (with a tape measure) I can do the same to show what the clearance is with the OEM 21" sizes.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

I put them on my Toronto Red X3M Comp. They stand out obviously compared to dark colored vehicles but they at least look OEM and don't have the gaps of having to modify the OEM regular X3 guards.
I had to used 2-sided tape on the rear ones to get perfect fitment but overall these are good for the money and I don't hear rocks pinging on the sides of the car anymore.

Pics or it didn't happen

I did not have any alignment issues with the rear; the screws pulled them tight (or at least I think so).

Note, I found it helpful to push them tight into place as I was tightening the screws.

I have to say, this was one of the best mods I did to the vehicle - really protects the paint.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by elisiX

They really seem to blend in well on the darker vehicles.

It'd be nice to see how they come off on Alpine White.

Keep an eye on this thread. Asyvan installed them on his white X3 and a few people are asking for pics in addition to the close up pics in the post:

[Klazu]

I bought these same mudflaps just before winter but did find installing them being way easier when tires are off. I am soon taking my car in for a summer tire change and am planning on having the dealership install them while swapping the tires.

Does anyone happen to have pictures of how these look like on a Donington Gray X3MC? I have been trying to model them but find it a bit hard to see the final result...