roof rail delete questions

[wees1234]

Just Curious... I was thinking of deleting the roof rails off of my X5, but I didnt know if any bodywork needed to be done after they are removed. You know, like filling the holes up, or maybe even plugging them???

[PersonaNonGrata]

We cover it all here at X5world. Check this post from last week on this exact same topic.

Try and do a search for topics. You'd be surprised how much you might find.

[wees1234]

i read that article and it doesnt answer my question. That's why I posted a new thread. Please any info would be helpful.

[wees1234]

Problem solved!!! Found out that I needed to buy plugs from the local hardware store and plug the holes left from the rails. I'm just going to have the plugs painted at my bodyshop so that the roof looks clean. Will try to post pics once done. Just a quick question, I looked up that the plug sizes are 18mm and 20mm, but i just want to double check with somebody who has already done this mod. Please confirm this for me.

[adrian.b]

Originally Posted by wees1234

Just Curious... I was thinking of deleting the roof rails off of my X5, but I didnt know if any bodywork needed to be done after they are removed. You know, like filling the holes up, or maybe even plugging them???

How about an article on actually removing the rails, I`d be interested in doing this. Are they sort of plug and plug or do they bolt in somewhere?

I read the thread last week, but it didnt actually say how they were removed.

Thanks

[wees1234]

There are a few simple Torx T40 screws that need to be removed and then the rails will come right off. Plugs will be needed to close the holes left by the removal of the rails.

[adrian.b]

Wow, it sounds so easy. Are the screws easy to get to or is that the hard part. I dont mind filling in holes, I could spray the plugs myself with matched spray from BMW.

[AlpineMsix]

IT acctually took me a while to find the right plug sizes. My local hardware store "LOWES",(Home Depot didnt have anythung)


lowes had plastic/nylon hole plugs that measured in fraction sizes.


I found 11/16 and some other size to be the right siZe. 11/16 and one size smaller from that matched the holes perfectly.

[GoreX5]

Is there a BMW part number for the plugs if someone did not want to go with the generic plug solution?

[AlpineMsix]

Originally Posted by GoreX5

Is there a BMW part number for the plugs if someone did not want to go with the generic plug solution?

there is some member on this board that got his X5 from the factory with no roof rails.. I wonder what the factory did as far as blocking the holes and or what they did in general if the car came from the factory wit no roof rails.