I did the same retrofit, but I was not able to find the rivet gun! (checked EVERY store in town, and I was impatient to order it on line)

My friend (who owns a body shop) charged me 80USD to install. The other friend (who owns a BMW dealership), charged me 130USD for the fender flares (that's how we call them in the US!). Altogether,...$210.-!! Not bad, and it makes the car looking better.

Now I'm waiting for the running boards to arrive ($230), and I'll have the body shop install those as well (another $80.-)
Total mod, $520.- and the whole new look! Under a grand, including the oval tips (still waiting!).

I decided to keep the stock 18" wheels (for a while anyway), because I drive on the gravel for about a mile to my house. I brought the wheels "out" to match the flares (with H&R spacers). Cost $600.-

That's how you mod a 3,0 on the budget! :D

Here's the BMW factory rivet gun. If you are feeling rich order it from the dealer.

I almost ordered that one but it won't work either. That's just a very expensive version of a standard metal rivet gun that you can buy at any auto parts store (won't handle these large fender flare rivets).

I ordered this one from Napa ($31) and it worked GREAT.

http://partimages2.genpt.com/partimages/215687.jpg

After shipping charges, ordering from NAPA it's over 40 bucks.
I bought the same one. Found it cheaper (under 20 bucks and free shipping):
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/mar48000.html

I now have a spare pair of rear mud flaps that fit the fender flairs, they were on my car for 2 days before I got the aero kit fitted and they had to fit new ones to go with the aero kit. Anybody want them at half price + shipping??

I am in Brisbane Australia if anybody is interested?

Bozz

Oooooops, Sorry about the above reply, I should have put this in the items for sale thread. Sorry I didn't see it until just now.

Bozz.

I have an X5 with 19 inch wheels and really like the look of the wider wheel arches. Does anyone have any experience with installing these flared arches but still keeping the 19 inch wheels? I wondered if that would look dumb or if the 19's should have spacers installed??

Do the flared arches affect any other part or can they just be installed as is?

Thanks :)

Great write-up Paul. (deserves a Blue Peter badge !!)

Do you think this tool would work for the rivets? Looks different to the ones posted by the US guys.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-40140-RIVETER-PLASTIC-RIVETS/dp/B000PJ8NKU

It will work but you will have to take the wheels off to get all of the rivets in. If you wish not to remove the wheels, buy the one with the green handle posted above.

I got a tool that looks very similar to this. I was able to install the rivets without removing the wheels if you do it before you install the 20 or 21 inch wheels. In the front you need to turn the wheels. In the back you just need to jack the car up and then you can access the rivets.

I did this because I installed the arch extensions while the OEM 19s were on (about a month before switching to the summer set up). I just wanted to see how it would look with the 19s on.