DIY fender flares question . . .
 

For those of u that have installed your own fender flares, I have a few questions.

1. Is it possible to install without removing the tires ? (there were mixed opinions on this in the older posts)

2. What's the best rivet tool to use ?

3. Does the tool aide in removing them ? If not how do u remove the rivets ?
4. Do the arches come with rivets or do they have to be purchased seperately ?


Tia

I installed mine without removing the tires with no trouble. I used these tools to remove the old rivets:

Amazon.com: Auto-Body Technician's Best Friend - No-Scratch Trim and Molding Removal Tool Kit Set: Home Improvement


And this to install the new rivets:

Amazon.com: Klik Plastic Rivet Setter with Pouch: Home Improvement

The rivets came with the fender flares. The entire job took less than 1 hour. There is a helpful post somewhere on this forum that includes step-by-step instructions with photos.

I installed without removing the tires. I used the Marsen Klik plastic rivet setter. The wheel arch retrofit kit comes with new rivets. I used a small screw driver to centre punch the old rivets to remove them

Can someone post some pics on what a fender flare is and how it looks on 35d.

^^ Its the wider black trim pieces above the wheel well. If your SAV came with 20s or 21s, then it already has them

Great info here. Thinking of doing this as well

I was unable to get the front rivet on each one in with the tires on - riveter would not fit between the tire and flair, but only that one rivet on each side - maybe my rivet tool is slightly bigger, got it from the local auto parts store. It would fit with the old wheels on, so I would suggest putting the flairs on before you put on the larger tires just in case.

Is there any DIY instructions somewhere? I just bought a set of Fender flares for my X5 and I have no clue how to install them.

Dealer charges about $150 for this job. I did mine for $120. Takes about 1 hour for them.
Here is the link with instructions how to do it yourself :
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-retrofit.html

Local body shop charged me $60 to install the fender flares. I watched him do it, the hardest part was to remove the old rivets. I figured the rivet tool would cost me about $30, so $60 isn't too bad. But with the right rivet tool, you should be able to do them about an hour.