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4.6is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 2:41 pm
by dpbayly
I've searched the net for a uk based company that can supply the lower valances but I've had no luck....
Does anyone know of a good quality 4.6/4.8is valances supplier UK based?
Failing that does anyone know the cost of genuine ones?
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 4:25 pm
by graemeX5
if you go to BMW they want approx 800 for the front bumper.
Sanj fitted a 4.6 lower front to his 3.0d but I think he had to do a lot of cutting as different shape.
Poss easiest is to look out for the bits poss on eBay on occasion. Unfortunaty shadrack just sold his set as he sold his x5.
Hth
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 4:35 pm
by Sanj
Yes - I fitted the rear valance to mine and the front from a 4.6is.
Any standard front bumper will take the 4.6is valance with some trimming but the 4.8is lower valance will not fit. It's a complete front bumper job.
I used a saved search on eBay to get mine (£75 rear and £90 front). Then costs to spray, fitting I did.
You will get one but you need to be patient - non OEM and they'll most likely be fibre glass. The OEM one's are plastic.
Front valance
linkhere if interested.
OEM from $tealers will easily set you back £400 a piece.
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 5:03 pm
by dpbayly
Ok thanks for the info guys
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 5:15 pm
by Horizon
PM Shadrack, he had a front and rear bumper set off a 4.8 for sale. I can't find the post, but worth a try
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 5:34 pm
by Sanj
They're sold...
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 6:27 pm
by dpbayly
Dammit....
Guess I'll keep searching
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 6:52 pm
by Jamee
I know the hassle you went thro sanj on the front, but do the front and back fit straight on a 2002 pre facelift???
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 7:02 pm
by Sanj
[quote="Jamee"]
I know the hassle you went thro sanj on the front, but do the front and back fit straight on a 2002 pre facelift???
[/quote]
It was my own fault for being so OCD on the valance - it was about 5mm lower on one side so I took it all off and started again - til it was right.
Otherwise a dremmel and some patience will see you right. And yes the rear piece will fit the pre-facelift as well as the facelift and only the 4.6is valance will fit the pre-facelift as well as the facelift (as it's stuck on). The 4.8is is moulded to a totally unique new front bumper shape which won't attach to any other front bumpers on the standard E53 models.
eBay or breakers are your best friends for sure. Shads one came from Lithuania (I think) and even though he was sceptical of the fibre glass version they were good quality pieces. I just found them too dear (being Indian

)). Plus I like the fact that mine are totally OEM (with a minor mod

)...
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 7:30 pm
by Jamee
I just found this but it's too much for non oem parts.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 7103435690
Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 7:52 pm
by Sanj
Not baaaad but look at the end caps. You'll have to do some moulding to get them to fit nice.
Stupid money but look how varied the prices are at the mo:
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Just keep looking...

Re: 4.8is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 10:57 pm
by dpbayly
After calling BMW Wednesday to get a price for the front and rear valances i was shocked to find the front was £295 plus vat and the rear £218 plus vat which i get 15% off for trade but still way to expensive for a couple of its of plastic.......
Then at 11pm last night i was flicking through Ebay and stumbled across a listing for the front only:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLUE-BMW-X5-E ... true&rt=nc
Bonus ball £45 delivered looks a little tatty but its getting painted any way so no real drama, just need to source a rear now.....
Re: 4.6is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 11:08 pm
by Sanj
Perfect - I kept some of the clips and cut some of them off any way. Use a good bonding agent and measure twice before attaching the bugger!
Will need

!
Re: 4.6is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 11:46 pm
by dpbayly
Thanks and will do,
At work in the body shop they use this stuff called Sikaflex once it's stuck on with that stuff It wont EVER come off......
Re: 4.6is front and rear lower valances
Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 11:52 pm
by Timoth27
That's what Elise's are held together with