Member Since: 12 Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 120
Side Steps - After market - suggestions?
Hello Peeps,
NOOOOOOO....I don't want to go down the "think they're brilliant...think they're naff" conversation, but just interested in those that have fitted after market side steps, views on which are good and which are not so good in quality and things to look out for when fitting. I note that there are Britpart ones but there are also cheaper ones so just wondered if anyone on this site has either used or is http://www.powerfuluk.com/
I got mine from <removed> ... not cheap but very robust!
Pics in my gallery
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Last edited by DurtyDisco on 27th Aug 2013 1:51 pm. Edited 1 time in total
27th Aug 2013 1:09 pm
euangibson
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
I put side steps on the D3,but went for side tubes on the 4.....mainly because there is no cutting of the sills required,and you can adjust the distance they sit from the car...
I had trouble with the alloy edging strip coming away (a common problem looking at threads) but
I wanted to avoid this again so that's why I went for the tubes.
I'm sure the Britpart steps will be more substantial and longer-lasting than the steps I bought as I went for the cheaper end of the aftermarket ones...."Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
27th Aug 2013 1:37 pm
Somerset Jem
Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 435
I got mine from Slimer on the forum. Been on a couple of years now and no problems.
27th Aug 2013 1:42 pm
robbo770
Member Since: 29 Jan 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 2294
I got big tubes with steps built in, built like a tank!
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
Will you be off-roading?
Steps and tubes can restrict where you go and be vulnerable to damage. Rock and tree sliders will give you the advantages of side steps combined with great protection.
Here's a video link to show what I'm trying to explain:
27th Aug 2013 2:52 pm
Rich_S
Member Since: 12 Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 120
LT wrote:
Will you be off-roading?
mostly the car will be using in the dangerous environment which is the high street and the supermarket car park, but I get to go off road approx once or twice a month during the winter, but nothing too spectacular. I'm more likely to get stuck in a field than a rock filled canyon.
I'm 6ft3, so getting in and out not a problem and wifey not too short either. As for the kids they don't come into the equation as they're all fit teenagers. More important for me is some kind of protector against the dreaded car door/car park scenario, or the odd low branch when off road. I'm leaning more towards tubes than steps as they are probably sufficient and don't really need the step up.
Any thoughts anyone?
27th Aug 2013 4:57 pm
euangibson
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
and this is what they look like on the car....note,they won't fit with OEM mudflaps
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
27th Aug 2013 5:00 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20855
I, personally will be using a set of Bearmach steps, part number VTK500010R
Having fitted a few sets of these in the past, they are identical to the genuine steps, even down to the brackets and fitting kit My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
Rich_S wrote:
LT wrote:
Will you be off-roading?
mostly the car will be using in the dangerous environment which is the high street and the supermarket car park, but I get to go off road approx once or twice a month during the winter, but nothing too spectacular. I'm more likely to get stuck in a field than a rock filled canyon.
I'm 6ft3, so getting in and out not a problem and wifey not too short either. As for the kids they don't come into the equation as they're all fit teenagers. More important for me is some kind of protector against the dreaded car door/car park scenario, or the odd low branch when off road. I'm leaning more towards tubes than steps as they are probably sufficient and don't really need the step up.
Any thoughts anyone?
If you don't need the step up, I'd not bother to fit anything. Although I've often thought about buying rock sliders, by being careful I've managed to survive damage free on rocky lanes in the Lake and Peak District, Happy Valley and the Strata Florida.
I'm 6ft 7in and whenever I drive or ride in friends Disco's fitted with steps or tubes I have to take great care when getting out not to get the back of my trousers filthy. Personally I find them a really pain.
Of course some people like the look of them.
As for car park damage, my D3 had side strips fitted, my D4 doesn't. Perhaps I've just been lucky for the last 7 years!
Of course now I've posted this, the next time I drive a rocky lane or park at the supermarket.......
27th Aug 2013 8:18 pm
euangibson
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
LT,that is one of the other "advantages" of the tubes I fitted,unlike the steps,they are adjustable as to the distance you want them to sit from the car "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
27th Aug 2013 8:28 pm
MarkOne
Member Since: 23 Jul 2011
Location: County Antrim
Posts: 3345
I bought my steps for £155 from the bay, kept the original brackets that my ome steps where on. They look the same as the £450 ones and I clean the alloy strip with a bit of scothbrite and car shampoo.
After nearly 8 months on they still look like new. And if the car is never off road steps are practical for swmbo and the little ones. I think they set them of others will disagree.
I originally had the chrome tubes on mine - which I thought were providing some protection - until I hit a tree stump in Bala - and the end bent up and ended up very tight to the sill and had to be beaten mercilessly with a big hammer to get the door to open.
I then got some tree sliders - can't mention the name, but if I was in the market again, I would look seriously at the Prospeed ones - but if you don't need the step function and do not go off road, then I wouldn't bother at all.Mark.
2006, D3 SE Auto - gone but not forgotten.
2014 BMW 530d M Sport Tourer.
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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