How do you take the carbon splitters off?
 

Hi All,

I want to remove the carbon splitters/flippers off my car so I can get them to my paintshop for a restoration, they are badly chipped and are letting the look of the car down.

I have been underneath and note there are two plastic flat headed fixings which I have had a go at taking out - they are very tight and after trying to get a flatheaded screwdriver underneath, I have managed to get one of them to lift slightly.

Anyone got any tips? My main concern is I am going to destroy these plastic fixings in getting them to undo so I stopped trying to prise them out- I assume these can be re-ordered via the BM dealer?

Any guidance/tips appreciated.

Cheers
Nick

one of the clips has a centre pin that you push out with small screw driver then the plastic clip can be pulled out easily. the other one just need to be eased out it is like a series of plastic rings instead of a thread

Had mine off last week. Best thing is to get some pliers and try and pull the pin out with breaking it, if your heavy handed like me I ended up cutting into the plug with the pliers and pulling it out. I bought 8 new pins for £1.48 from BMW.

Part number is 51118174185.

there are two typs of pin, one has a head and one is flush with the surround

the one with a head, as above, get a pair of wire cutter pliers under the head and prize it down 50% but not out. When it gets to 50% the plug behind will be looser and a flat head screwdiver between plug and splitter will prize them out together and can be reused.

the flush type i beleive you have to punch the centre through and cannot be reused.

get the car high as possible , it helps

Excellent guy, thanks for the tips. I will go have a go!

Cheers
Nick :thumbs:

The piece that the splitter attaches to underneath is quite fragile so go abit careful ;)

All sorted, got them off without any major issues but glad I asked otherwise I would have been trying to prise the fixings out which would have damaged both the splitters and fixing.

Thanks guys, I am going to speak with my local bodyshop on Monday and get them refurbed.

BTW - anyone know where we stand on corrosion issues on bodywork? My car is kept garaged and is washed/polished regularly. When I was giving it a wash last weekend I noticed a number of tiny rust bubbles appearing on edge of pillar alongside the windscreen, as well as along roof edge and one on the door catch drivers side. Just wondering if anyone else has had such issues and whether this is something I can speak to BM about?

Cheers
Nick

i had the rust on the door catch common fault, because the car was registered in 2003 they wouldn`t do it under warranty if your car is 2004 you will get it done. i think they extended the body warranty to 10 for cars registered 2004 onwards.

As above, but it was 12 years for cars REGISTERED in 2004, not Built as some may think. Bizarre I know, but cars regsitered after 1st Jan 2004 benefit from 12 years corrosion warranty and the door catches will be covered under it. They will take a look at the spots around the windows and door and if it's obviously not stone chips then I don't see how they can get out of repairing it.

Good luck.

Thanks guys, i will visit the dealers next week and let you know what they say.

Cheers
Nick