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.

It's possible to get them all in if your rivet setter looks like the one that jcmd2003 posted above (with the green handle). You just need to park your X on a slightly angled surface like a driveway so that the suspension compresses on one side. You will then be able to get the gun in on the opposite side (the side where the wheel is lower). Then move the car and do the same thing to get the opposite side. I posted this a while back in one of the older fender flare threads if you want to search for it...

Thank you AEGGROUP, I too would like to have professionals install them. I would pay $100/120 with my eyes closed to get them installed, but the problem in Canada is, everything is x3 here. e.g. I was quoted $1000 for flares, and was also told I wouldn't be able to install them without the running boards, so another $600 for the running boards, by a BMW dealer. Even tho I know for sure we don't need running boards to install these flares.

Yup, been to a dealership, same that told me I would need running boards in order to install the flares and pointed out the brand new 2011 X5 to SA that it didn't have them and he had no answer other than that the ones I am getting maybe replicas lol.

Well I am hunting in Toronto to see if someone know how to do them other than the dealers, hopefully I will find someone than putting my inexperienced hands on it.

BTW that's a very nice ride you got there. What tires are these if I may ask? and how's the comfort/handling level on these?

I live in Toronto as well. I have a great mechanic that I use for my BMW's. I just had a rear fender flare replaced and he did it in 15 mins. My guy was a mechanic at Budds for 13 years and at Mississauga for 2 years. He's awesome...extremely affordable as well as knowledgable. PM me and I can give you he's details. Did you find any extended wheel flares in Toronto? I'm getting some 19" M rims staggered and I'm not sure if I can get away with the basic ones I have, so I maybe in the hunt for some as well.

If you want someone to install the flares in Toronto, go see Rocco at RMP motors. I'm in Pickering (just outside Toronto), and I did mine myself. I still have the tool if you want to borrow it. PM me if you do.

Where did you get your extended flares?

I just did mine last week without removing the wheels. I used a trolley to jack each corner up to get a bit more clearance. The rivet for front arches are longer the rear arches. I could not punch the old one out. The trick is to use cordless drill with the smallest drill bit to drill the center out. I drilled it for like 10mm then the old rivet can just easily pull out. Don't worry it will not damage the car as long as you only drill the center of the rivet.

Once I figured out drilling is the trick it takes no time to install it. To me it is just as changing wiper blade.

I bought them from Pacific BMW. I'm in the US often, so I just had them shipped to my mailbox there.

Hmm, I personally found tire mobility kit to be much convenient then having a spare tire. Tho I would like to carry spare on those long drives and I have a 5 seater so no problems there either. But for now, got Run Flats, and thinking about getting Conti DWS but can't find the front ones (275/40/20).

Thank you sir, message sent.

No, not in Toronto, had to import them from U.S. Only dealers had them and they sell them for the price of an arm and a leg.

i just put on the stock fender flares on my E70 last week. took me maybe 15 minutes tops to do all 4. i used a small thin screw driver (to use as a center punch), a random spare 1" screw that i found (to screw into the rivet and pull it out), a needle nose plyer (only used twice on a couple stubborn rivets in the front), and the Marsen Klik plastic rivet setter (i bought it for about $15.00 online). the task was cake. to use the rivet setter on the front wheels, just turn the wheel all the way left/right and BOOM you have enough clearance.

I have a set of flared fender flares brand new (still in the box) if anyone is interested. I was going to install (replace some scratched ones), but then sold the X5.

anyone have part numbers for these? is it 51 77 0 421 056 ?

^^^ mavic. how much are you selling yours? fits e70 right?

Anyone knows the extened flared arch we are talking about is the same size as the X5M and M sports painted version?

For some reason, the painted version always looks wider to me.

No, the X5M and M kit flares integrate into the flared bumper. These just taper down towards the bumper

I see what you mean. But in terms of thickness the M sports version looks wider to me.

Would tossing some FF's on with the 19" wheels look weird?

I'm selling my fender flairs if someone's looking for set.

http://www.xoutpost.com/classifieds/...20-wheels.html

Anyone have the flared arches with wheels < 20"? Does it look weird? Mine are pretty scratched up and I plan to replace my non-flared with the flared....

I have 19" with the extended flares. Mind you, these are the 19"M wheels that are staggered.

When I installed my flares it was a couple weeks before I got my 20's so I drove around with 18" rims with flares for a couple weeks. At first you look at it and think it's a bit odd, but after a few days it doesn't look strange anymore. Trust me, nobody will notice!

Old Thread
 

Thanks for posting all these details. Does anyone have the link to the newer thread on adding the flares? Had it and can't find it now. THanks.

Here is the part number
51770421056
Not sure if it comes with rivets or nowT
It sells for $343.82 at getbmwparts.com

Just received mine from ebay bmw vendor $309.xx w/ free shipping
That's the best deal I've found

Same here. BMW of Newton. $309.xx plus if you use eBay at all and accumulate the eBay bucks its additional discount. I'm going to install my flares when I add trailer hitch since the rear flares have to be removed.

It's pretty simple, jack the body of the truck up to give you more room in the wheel well to work.
I used a flat head screw driver to pop the heads off the old plastic rivets it went very quickly.
Open the rear door so you can get at the rear Small flare and pull, it might seem tough but it's the only way so pull as hard as you need too.
The front is similar but a little harder to get started pulling, I used a screw driver to get it started down by the running board.
Once the old are off there are some white plastic tabs that you have to move from the old to new.
Line up the tabs and push the new ones on.
Rivet the new rivets on, I think there is one rivet you can't do with the wheel on at each corner. On the fronts turning the wheels helps a lot.

It's pretty straight forward I figured it out with out a DYI so it's not difficult it might take an hour or so to do.

What size rivets should I use? I'm looking to swap fender flares with a coworker :) Also, how many should I purchase? I counted 8 per flare, so I figured 40 per car to be safe. I did manage to find them from BMW, but at $50 a piece, it's a bit hard to swallow when I need 80 of them.

Looking at this one: http://www.amazon.com/Marson-MAR4815...bxgy_hi_text_y

http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/201...agramCallOut=2

Is there a need to punch the center pin all the way through or just halfway?

Thanks

All the way.

Tap'd via G-Note2...

Is there a way to install new rivets without the rivet setter??

You can just put a small spanner over rivet, so you can hold it in place, and then grab the stalk with pliers and pull.. Or a variant of that.

I just used plastic rivets and they’ve been holding fine after a year. No special tools.

I just cut the center rod off the rivet and insert by hand and hammering it in.