Most X5 F15 and X6 F16 owners start with gloss black exterior trim, a wireless CarPlay retrofit and fixes for worn interior parts such as the gear selector trim and window switches. At the time of writing, small interior parts start from around €9, gloss black mirror caps cost around €74 and a wireless CarPlay module starts from around €247.
First, work out which car you have
These two cars share most of their engineering, and many parts fit both:
- F15: the X5, a conventional SUV body.
- F16: the X6, the sloping roof coupé SUV.
- F85 and F86: the X5 M and X6 M, which use their own bumpers and mirrors.
If you are not sure which code you have, see how to find your BMW chassis code. Unlike most BMWs, this generation never had a full facelift, so there is no pre-LCI and LCI split to worry about for body parts. What did change during production is the iDrive system, which matters for CarPlay.
The bumper question matters less here than on other models, because we do not stock front lips or diffusers for this car yet. Everything we list is in the X5 F15 collection and the X6 F16 collection.
Exterior trim
Our exterior range for these cars is small, and we would rather say so than pad it out. There are no grilles, spoilers or lips for the F15 and F16 in the shop at the moment. What we do have covers the chrome and bare plastic that most owners notice first.
The gloss black mirror caps are made for this generation and are the easiest visible change. They need no paint. Check on the product page whether they replace the original cap or sit over it, because fitting differs.
For the chrome around the side windows, the window frame trim covers are specific to the X5, so they suit the F15 but not the X6. The black window trim cover set is the other route and lists both cars. Both stick on over the original trim, so the clean and dry surface matters more than anything else. Fit in mild weather and take your time lining up each piece before pressing it down.
Smaller details: the exterior door handle covers are for left hand drive cars, and the carbon fibre shark fin antenna cover sits over the original roof antenna.
Lighting
LED number plate lights are a common first job on an older X5 or X6, because the original bulbs look yellow next to modern headlights. The LED number plate lights swap in for the original units and usually take a few minutes with a small flat blade. Inside, an LED interior light kit replaces the cabin bulbs. Check the fitment table, because these kits are shared across many models. Our guide to CANBUS error-free LED interior kits covers what to expect.
Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto
Many F15 and F16 cars have no CarPlay at all, and a retrofit module keeps the original screen and iDrive controller. We list the wireless CarPlay module for CIC or NBT and a second wireless CarPlay interface for the same systems. Before ordering, find out which iDrive system your car has. Later cars moved to a newer version of the system, and the product page lists which versions each module supports. Fitting means removing the screen or the head unit trim, plugging the module in line and tucking it away. A careful owner can do it in an afternoon.
Worn interior fixes
After several years of use, the gear selector surround, the window switches and the key fob show wear first. For the gear selector, the gear selector panel cover sits over a scratched surround on left hand drive cars, and the suede-look gear selector cover or the carbon finish gear selector trim change the look as well.
If a window button has stopped working or the markings have worn off, the replacement window switch clips into the door trim. Compare it with your original switch before ordering. For the start button, the crystal start/stop button cover sits over a worn button. If you always switch auto start/stop off, the start-stop memory plug remembers your last setting. A key fob cover protects the key from further scratches.
Most of these parts are shared across several BMW models and their titles only name a few. Check the fitment table on the product page and check left or right hand drive. Some parts ship from our EU warehouse in about 4 to 8 working days; others ship from Asia and take longer.
Comparing the main options
| Part | Typical price | Fitting difficulty | Reversible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirror caps | around €74 | Easy, under an hour | Yes |
| Window trim covers | €119 to €278 | Moderate, patience needed | Not easily |
| LED number plate lights | €14 to €15 | Easy, minutes | Yes |
| Wireless CarPlay module | €247 to €271 | Moderate, dash trim removal | Yes |
| Gear selector trim | €14 to €34 | Easy | Yes |
| Window switch | €30 to €32 | Easy to moderate | Yes |
Where to start
- Fix what annoys you every day: a worn gear selector surround or a dead window switch costs little.
- Fit LED number plate lights. Cheap and quick.
- Fit gloss black mirror caps.
- Add wireless CarPlay once you have confirmed your iDrive version.
- Do the window trim last, as it is the most time consuming job here.
If a part does not fit the car it is listed for, our fit guarantee explains what happens next. The smaller X3 F25 and X4 F26 share several parts with these cars, and the X3 F25 and X4 F26 buying guide covers them.
FAQ
Do X5 F15 parts fit the X6 F16?
Often, but not always. Mirror caps, interior trim and switches are usually shared, while anything to do with the body shape, such as window trim, can be specific to one car. Check the fitment table on each product page.
Is there an LCI version of the F15 or F16?
Not in the usual sense. BMW did not give this generation a full facelift, so body parts are not split by pre-LCI and LCI. The iDrive system did change during production, which matters for electronics.
Do these parts fit the X5 M F85 or X6 M F86?
Some interior parts do, and the fitment table lists them. The M cars have their own bumpers and mirrors, so do not assume exterior parts carry over.
Will wireless CarPlay need coding?
Retrofit modules of this type usually plug in between the screen and the car without coding, but check the product page for your iDrive version before ordering. If your car already has CarPlay from the factory, you do not need a module.