Nipper, flush cutter. That would work. I've used a diagonal cutter but the nipper better as the edge stays parallel.

I'd say those are probably the best looking factory 19inch e53 wheels. Great winter setup!

Especially since the wheel looks like a snowflake

All true. I have used nippers and diagonal cutters in the past for this purpose, but now I have these:
https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-Tools-.../dp/B01I3H6UIC
Knipex Tools 10 99 i220 8.75" Ear Clamp Pliers

Attachment 79183

Nice feature is that you can get in there from the end or from the side with these (as you could do, choosing either nippers [end] vs. diagonal cutters [side]), as needed based on how easy it is to get at the clamp.

Also, the "cutting ends" that you'd have on regular cutters are flat here, so you will be less likely to cut the clamp (as I used to sometimes do and always needed to be careful about, before getting these).

How do you like them? I was about to buy a set just a few weeks ago, but they were out of stock everywhere. I think they are being discontinued. I ended up with some Blizzaks instead.



It's supposed to snow this weekend so I might get to try them out.

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

:shakehead: Welllll... I just found out the my exhaust vanos solenoid has been pressurizing oil through my harness all the way to my DME. :banghead:



:doh:

Ugh... through the electrical connector on the bottom vanos unit?

I've seen this issue on a friends higher mileage 03 e39 540 msport. New vanos solenoids with disassembling the DME cover and a bunch of electrical cleaner spray resolved the issue..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6e4981fde7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b8d354ef6d.jpg

Yep. From that connector, all the way to the DME.

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

One good thing is that it didn’t get into the DME. That would have been a disaster. The last time I spoke with RMS, they no longer have files for tuning my setup. That DME is literally one of a kind.

My E53 has been in surgery since the third week of June. This is really testing my ownership.

Ahh.. oh well.. I’ll be fine. The email I received today pretty much shows everything under the hood, is being, or has been replaced. Maybe this is a good thing.

Talk about a 100,000 mile tuneup. :dunno: