[chenry]

Searched high and low for a "how to" on this but haven't come up with anything - looking for how to remove the side vents on my F36 / seems simple enough and it looks like there are a couple clips holding them in so Im sure I can figure it out but if anyone can offer some tips I would appreciate it

[ronanz]

Pretty straight forward. Use a plastic pry tool, VERY high probability you'll snap plastic nipple/clip holding them to fender as they are incredibly fragile.

[chenry]

Originally Posted by ronanz

Pretty straight forward. Use a plastic pry tool, VERY high probability you'll snap plastic nipple/clip holding them to fender as they are incredibly fragile.

Thanks!

[Billfitz]

I'd want to see how it looks without it first. It's not useless trim, it covers a vent hole in the fender.

[Bamsterman68]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I'd want to see how it looks without it first. It's not useless trim, it covers a vent hole in the fender.

I doubt he would take them off to leave them off. Maybe to paint them...or install an already painted/different set...

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Bamsterman68

I doubt he would take them off to leave them off.

Stranger things have happened.

[David9962000]

Just pull.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=877278

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by David9962000

Just pull.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=877278

He's talking about the trim for the side vents on the front fenders, not the air vents in the dashboard...

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Stranger things have happened.

Yeah..I want to remove mine and place an "///M" badge there on both sides....

[znolo]

I used a cheap set of trim pullers from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece...set-67021.html

to do this.

I removed mine to vinyl wrap them to a color that better suited my car's color than the default black color:

Before (black) & After (anthracite):

[LeoSaavedra]

Originally Posted by znolo

I used a cheap set of trim pullers from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece...set-67021.html

to do this.

Looks much better.... you just pulled them out? I want to change mines for a carbon fiber set.

[znolo]

Originally Posted by LeoSaavedra

Looks much better.... you just pulled them out? I want to change mines for a carbon fiber set.

Yes, they just pull off, but you need to be careful as they are fragile. A plastic puller is usefull here. These are available on ebay and amazon.

[modoguru]

I just removed and replaced the side vent / air duct covers on my F33 BMW 430i 2018 convertible. I used a screw driver to pry them off but was careful to not let the screw driver come in contact with the side of the car (to avoid scratching the car). I used a sudden motion with the screw driver placed against the tip of the at the cover to pop it off. Three motions were required to pop all 3 fasteners. They are located near the two tips and in the center. Using these sudden motions I actually popped it off without destroying the pins. Then I noted that the plastic shells that the pins fit into were still in the side of the car, and the new cover I had also had shells on its pins. I tried to remove one of the shells from a pin on the new cover and broke it; so, don't do that. To remove the shells from the side of the car, I got a pair of needle nose pliers and was able to grab and remove the shells from the holes in the side of the car, again using quick motions. Interestingly, these covers are completely ornamental on my car; there is no actual vent. Then I placed my new cover against the side of the car, aligning its pins/shells with the holes in the side of the car. I covered it with an oven mitt, and struck the end, middle, and other end with a closed fist in 3 quick blows. Each blow popped in a pin/shell and the new cover was successfully installed. Easy peasy... after you have done it at least once and know what to expect.

[f32ftw]

Originally Posted by modoguru

I just removed and replaced the side vent / air duct covers on my F33 BMW 430i 2018 convertible. I used a screw driver to pry them off but was careful to not let the screw driver come in contact with the side of the car (to avoid scratching the car). I used a sudden motion with the screw driver placed against the tip of the at the cover to pop it off. Three motions were required to pop all 3 fasteners. They are located near the two tips and in the center. Using these sudden motions I actually popped it off without destroying the pins. Then I noted that the plastic shells that the pins fit into were still in the side of the car, and the new cover I had also had shells on its pins. I tried to remove one of the shells from a pin on the new cover and broke it; so, don't do that. To remove the shells from the side of the car, I got a pair of needle nose pliers and was able to grab and remove the shells from the holes in the side of the car, again using quick motions. Interestingly, these covers are completely ornamental on my car; there is no actual vent. Then I placed my new cover against the side of the car, aligning its pins/shells with the holes in the side of the car. I covered it with an oven mitt, and struck the end, middle, and other end with a closed fist in 3 quick blows. Each blow popped in a pin/shell and the new cover was successfully installed. Easy peasy... after you have done it at least once and know what to expect.

I wonder why they changed it to a nonfunctional fender vent in the newer models. I have a 2014 435 and my fender vent actually has an air duct that goes through to the wheel well.