[Kailec]

Hey guys, decided to install my diffuser. When taking a look under the car though I see one (I'm assuming 8mm bolt) and one flat thing. What is that? A self tapping screw? Do I just pry it out?

[M2Rush]

Originally Posted by Kailec

Hey guys, decided to install my diffuser. When taking a look under the car though I see one (I'm assuming 8mm bolt) and one flat thing. What is that? A self tapping screw? Do I just pry it out?

Those are plastic push fit rivets, a trim tool is great at pulling the pin if you dont have the removal tool or just stick a flat head in the channel and pry little by little each side until you can pull straight out.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bmw+...w=1069&bih=274

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by M2Rush

Those are plastic push fit rivets, a trim tool is great at pulling the pin if you dont have the removal tool or just stick a flat head in the channel and pry little by little each side until you can pull straight out.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bmw+...69&bih=274

Thanks! I have trim tools so I'll tackle it later then. Is this normal to have those on the diffuser? I see one on each side, then one 8mm bolt, then 3 torx screws in the centre.

[M2Rush]

Originally Posted by Kailec

Thanks! I have trim tools so I'll tackle it later then. Is this normal to have those on the diffuser? I see one on each side, then one 8mm bolt, then 3 torx screws in the centre.

My pleasure. Yes, they're all over(usually under or inside) the car and come in all shapes and sizes. It's a 2 piece design, you'll need to remove the centerpin or at least pull it until it's holding on by a hair and use the trim tool again to pry off the actual remaining rivet head. It's pretty self explanatory once you get the pin off.

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by M2Rush

My pleasure. Yes, they're all over(usually under or inside) the car and come in all shapes and sizes. It's a 2 piece design, you'll need to remove the centerpin or at least pull it until it's holding on by a hair and use the trim tool again to pry off the actual remaining rivet head. It's pretty self explanatory once you get the pin off.

Do they break when you remove them?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Kailec

Do they break when you remove them?

If you break one get a replacement at the local auto store, common non car specific part.

Interesting thing on the install. I had one I put on my 435 then swapped it onto the 440. Both cars were all bolts with different size ones in the two outside positions.

[M2Rush]

Originally Posted by Kailec

Do they break when you remove them?

Rarely do they break during removal, however they can break during installation. When pushing the pin back in there's a chance that you bend or snap the pin part. They're cheap from auto parts stores or Amazon, I bought some from Amazon for 50 cents each. They're like $3 each from the dealer.

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by M2Rush

Rarely do they break during removal, however they can break during installation. When pushing the pin back in there's a chance that you bend or snap the pin part. They're cheap from auto parts stores or Amazon, I bought some from Amazon for 50 cents each. They're like $3 each from the dealer.

Would I be able to replace them with bolts instead? Seems like a better idea since they're stronger and more straightforward to remove.

[M2Rush]

Originally Posted by Kailec

Would I be able to replace them with bolts instead? Seems like a better idea since they're stronger and more straightforward to remove.

Originally Posted by Kailec

Would I be able to replace them with bolts instead? Seems like a better idea since they're stronger and more straightforward to remove.

I don't see a reason why you can't but keep in mind that they're typically used to clamp two plastic pieces together (ex: splash guards) and if you were to use screws, it would likely strip if a c clip is not added into the mix. I don't like the screw & c clip combo because cheap ones rust and good ones are expensive. I actually really like plastic fasteners, their flexible, no chance of rust and seem to last forever if not left in the direct sunlight. They're actually very simple to deal with, so easy that I can remove most of them with just my fingers(I'm a trials biker so I train my fingers to be very strong, probably won't work for most people though).

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by M2Rush

I don't see a reason why you can't but keep in mind that they're typically used to clamp two plastic pieces together (ex: splash guards) and if you were to use screws, it would likely strip if a c clip is not added into the mix. I don't like the screw & c clip combo because cheap ones rust and good ones are expensive. I actually really like plastic fasteners, their flexible, no chance of rust and seem to last forever if not left in the direct sunlight. They're actually very simple to deal with, so easy that I can remove most of them with just my fingers(I'm a trials biker so I train my fingers to be very strong, probably won't work for most people though).

Alright then, I'll give it a shot tomorrow on my day off. Thanks for all the info!

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Kailec

Hey guys, decided to install my diffuser. When taking a look under the car though I see one (I'm assuming 8mm bolt) and one flat thing. What is that? A self tapping screw? Do I just pry it out?

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...2&postcount=14

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...2&postcount=14

Yeah I'm fairly confident on being able to do it, I was just thrown off by the plastic pieces in place of the 8mm bolts is all. Thanks!

[Kailec]

So I got the old one off and put on new diffuser but not sure if this will be problematic for the bottom of the car?

[Kailec]

Well I decided to keep it as is. One thing though is that both the plastic rivet wouldn't fit back in and two of the screws in the middle don't line up anymore with the previous hole on the white plastic thing in the rear bumper. Is this a problem? Should I buy a smaller rivet and drill to fit the screws?

[Cashierf32]

Idk if anybody is still looking in this thread but I recently just lost my diffuser screws I took off my M sport OEM one and got my car detailed by a collision spot and they “lost” the screws so I was wondering if anyone can tell me what screws they are so I can just order or something

[Billfitz]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[Cashierf32]

That would work if I didn’t have the M sport Diffuser so it’s only the hex screws but I don’t know what kind they are

[toxik]

Originally Posted by Cashierf32

That would work if I didn’t have the M sport Diffuser so it’s only the hex screws but I don’t know what kind they are

i believe its part # 07147129160

you can find them on amazon as well.

[Cashierf32]

Thank you!!!! That’s for the 2 on each side by the ends do you know the number for the 3 screws in the middle of the diffuser??

[toxik]

Originally Posted by Cashierf32

Thank you!!!! That’s for the 2 on each side by the ends do you know the number for the 3 screws in the middle of the diffuser??

EDIT: I realized LCI models have 3 T20 screws, part number: 07147127714. that's what my 2017 car has.

I think pre-LCI had 3 10mm hex screws? not sure

[Cashierf32]

Originally Posted by toxik

EDIT: I realized LCI models have 3 T20 screws, part number: 07147127714. that's what my 2017 car has.

I think pre-LCI had 3 10mm hex screws? not sure

The part number you sent were the right screws I just need the 3 in the middle and I believe it’s the 10mm hex I’m about to check right now

[toxik]

Originally Posted by Cashierf32

The part number you sent were the right screws I just need the 3 in the middle and I believe it’s the 10mm hex I’m about to check right now

yeah i’m just not sure if it’s the right 10mm part number, can’t confirm because of my model year.