What are your opinions on the factory side steps? Do they make it much easier to get into the back seat of the 90?

 

If you decide to get them, I'd consider buying on Amazon and installing them yourself. Its not that hard and you will save a lot of money

 

I guess it depends. My wife is 5'2" and they were an absolute necessity. Powder coated them black to match better.

 

We had a 90 with coils and and they were a must have and yea they do help with getting in the back seat.

My wife is also 5’2” and while they were a necessity on the 90 with coils she seems to do fine with our V8 when in access height.

 

do you have air suspension or coil suspension?

I have air suspension on my d90 and set it to automatic access height every time the car is turned off and I haven't had a need for side step for my 11 year old rear passenger who gets in and out from the back with ease on her own.

 

I like the side steps as well. For utility they are helpful for getting getting in and out of the car, using as a platform for cleaning the top of the car and I think they help with keeping dirt/puddles off the sides of the car especially the known wear points in front of the rear wheel well.

 

Same quality from OEM? I am considering since I have the rods and when my elderly mother visits us, not even access height is enough for her to get in without a struggle. The price gap from OEM and the ones in Amazon is so big that I keep wondering about quality.

 

I was wondering the same thing. Are there any non-OEM that folks have had good experiences with?

 

Folding step stool. Problem solved for the occasional short person or elderly mother. This one is $20 from Amazon.

 

Or Thule "step up" and it folds flat and comes with a carrying bag.