[mscot]

I was planning on ordering them with my 50e bc I think they’ll help getting snowboards on the roof. But now I’m wondering if we can lower the suspension enough to access the racks without the running boards. I’m 5’10”

Thoughts?

[Boardmember]

I like the look. XDrive 40i here in a week or so. Having some door ding protection is a good deal too. After delivery, what’s the add $? And at average heights (6’, not my wife), can we easily step out/over to get out?

[mscot]

Originally Posted by mscot

I was planning on ordering them with my 50e bc I think they’ll help getting snowboards on the roof. But now I’m wondering if we can lower the suspension enough to access the racks without the running boards. I’m 5’10”

Thoughts?

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above? Would like to sort this out before I order in September.
Thanks

[biterror]

Originally Posted by mscot

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above? Would like to sort this out before I order in September.
Thanks

The lowest setting is only 4 cm (1.6 inches) lower than the default setting, so it doesn't help that much.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by mscot

I was planning on ordering them with my 50e bc I think they’ll help getting snowboards on the roof. But now I’m wondering if we can lower the suspension enough to access the racks without the running boards. I’m 5’10”

Thoughts?

The X5 running boards are ornamental, that's it. Don't plan on them for any real world function. They make getting in and out more difficult as you have to step over them each time.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by mscot

I was planning on ordering them with my 50e bc I think they’ll help getting snowboards on the roof. But now I’m wondering if we can lower the suspension enough to access the racks without the running boards. I’m 5’10”

Thoughts?

45e owner here. I am 5’6” or so. At normal height if air suspension, if snowboard/ski clamp are way toward the edge of the cross be, I unlock and get the outter snowboard out standing on ground. The 2nd board, I have to stop in door ail, slide it toward edge, then get it. Lowering suspension, as other said, doesn’t help much. The issue is more being able to reach inward.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

The X5 running boards are ornamental, that's it. Don't plan on them for any real world function. They make getting in and out more difficult as you have to step over them each time.

I would totally agree with my own experience as well. But recent I maybe willing to give another look only because 5 year old son may have easier time climbing in with that. Just imagining so far because I don’t have a simple option to add one to give a try.

[ltoda2nd]

We have running boards on both our G05 and E70. Wife and I are 5'4" and use them to get in and out with no issues, works well with family and my parents in the past. Have used it at times to check on the roof, but for washing it I use a step ladder.

[tooloud10]

Originally Posted by mscot

I was planning on ordering them with my 50e bc I think they’ll help getting snowboards on the roof. But now I’m wondering if we can lower the suspension enough to access the racks without the running boards. I’m 5’10”

Thoughts?

My experience is that the running boards are so narrow and the bottom of the car curves in so much that it's impossible to stand on them to do anything on the roof without using one hand to hold on somewhere.

Basically, think about the advantages of a normal running board, and then consider that none of those things apply to the X5 running boards.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Also OEM running board does not work with m-sport package.
For your use case you may consider a door latch step like this https://www.rei.com/product/162968/r...moki-door-step