Having to fit mudflaps to drive to Poland - anyone else done

[sapphire_nick]

Hi all,

Apparently I have to fit mudflaps to get to Poland, which disappoints me massively! I only have to fit rear ones, though.

Do mudflaps have a great detrimental effect on the air flow?

Seems like a ridiculous rule to have. Anyway, I have the parts and will fit them. The good thing is that they are very discrete and my car is black, but after the effort of fitting them, I will remove them on return I think.

Am I right in thinking I have to remove the rear wheels to fit them?

:thumbsdown:

 

[gannet]

no idea about the air flow...

whenever ive fitted mud flaps ive had to remove the rear wheels though...

given up with them on our cars now as nowadays the cars are so low they were always grounding out etc. Should be alright on the back though.

I wouldnt leave 'em on either

 

[sapphire_nick]

All I can say is that at least the car is black and they are fortunately VERY small - they will blend in - I hope ;-)

Next problem is how to jack the car up - its sooooo low! My current jack won't fit underneath!

Thanks, Gannet!

 

[cj10jeeper]

All I can say is that at least the car is black and they are fortunately VERY small - they will blend in - I hope ;-)

Next problem is how to jack the car up - its sooooo low! My current jack won't fit underneath!

Thanks, Gannet!

I can't see how you'd ever fit them with clamps or screws unless you remove the wheel for access
If you can't get your jack under drive onto a couple of planks or large pieces of timber which shoudl give you a bit of extra to get the jack under

Remember to use an axle stand if you take the wheel off

 

[azroadie]

I put the mudflaps on and IMHO, I think the car looks better than without them...IF you have a black rag top like I do. Here's a pick of my Z4 utility vehicle ;-)




There is a trick to installing the mudflaps without removing the wheels!!!!

It's a simple install. For the front, you can jack up the car and turn the wheels. But with this method, you don't even need a jack. If you can't fit a drill between the wheels and the body (which you won't), here's a trick.

Get a nail about the same size as the drill bit you'd need to use, a pair of vice grip pliers, and a blowtorch (can probably use a gas stove too). Crimp the nail with the pliers (perpendicular to the handle) so you can fit it between the wheel and the body pannel. Be sure to mark where you want the hole as you will use this nail as a hole punch instead of a drill. Now use the blowtorch or a gas stove, lighter etc to get the nail red hot. Now punch the hole. The nail will literally melt through the body pannel with little to no force saving you the time taking off the wheels. It's super easy from this point.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Kurts05Z4]

I have them all around on mine. Rear quarters and sides stay much cleaner than before. I chose to paint them to match since black would look out of place on Maldives blue.
Just don't back up to a curb as you will hit them pretty good. :headbang:

 

[GP20]

I think the rear mud-flaps would actually look pretty cool and widen the Z4's stance if you get them painted to match the body color like Kurts05Z4's. Un-painted, it just looks like a chunk of the body panel is chopped off from distance.

 

[sapphire_nick]

actually - they really don't look that bad, do they!? You never know I may well keep them on! :roll:

 

[blaZen]

Go for a set of those Yosemite Sam's "Back Off" flaps!

 

[20ducks]

blaZen, say there, welcome once again to the finest Z4 forum in the galaxy.

 

[MdV]

Apparently I have to fit mudflaps to get to Poland, which disappoints me massively! I only have to fit rear ones, though.

can you explain why mudflaps would be mandatory and where you got the information? I'd expect that even though this might be a requirement for Polish licensed vehicles, that your UK and therefore EU approval will allow for vehicles to populate any road, at least within EU? :crazydude:

 

[20ducks]

I take it then the "U" in EU doesn't exactly mean "Union"?

 

[Aebous]

I seem to recall being told you needed certain items for and in the car in poland during my stint in Germany. My understanding was that they just didn't care where the car was registered.

 

[MdV]

for Poland, the following applies:
+ reflective safety triangle
+ fire extinguisher
+ first aid kit
these items are additionally required to have available in the car when travelling in/through Poland... and since these are not mandatory all over the EU, therefore stated separately.

furthermore:
+ lights on
+ handsfree calling only
+ no radar detection equipment allowed

but mudflaps oke: ?
:rofl:

 

[Kdawg]

In the United States I believe most states have laws that mandate all dually RWD trucks must have mudflaps. Are you sure the Polish law is for passenger cars and not commercial lorries?

 

[sapphire_nick]

I saw something on a site called drivingabroad.co.uk - but think this was an outdated article. Also does not seem to appear on Theaa.com or Rac.co.uk sites so I feel I wasted money on mudflaps! Still at least I have not fitted them yet!

 

[sapphire_nick]

Okay.... TheAA and RAC websites don't mention it but I just got this email from BMW UK - looks like I will fit them afterall :x :

Dear Mr Micouris

Thank you for your email to BMW Customer Information concerning the legalities of driving in Poland.

If you are taking your own car into Poland, mud flaps on the rear wheels of your vehicle are compulsory and will be required. Please also note that in Poland you are required to carry a warning triangle at all times when travelling by car.

To obtain a set of rear mud flaps for your BMW Z4, please contact the Parts Department of your local BMW Approved Dealership. Your nearest BMW dealership can be found by using the dealer locator facility on our website. I have included a link to this facility for your convenience:

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/dealerlocator/0,,___,00.html

I trust that this is of clarification and please do not hesitate to contact me with any further queries that you may have.

Yours sincerely

BMW Group UK
Tim Sharpe
Customer Information Advisor
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA