This week we swapped out the driver side fender that was previously damaged, with a good one that we purchased in Sacramento. Our original plan was to pull a fender from an identical year and color e46 from the pick-n-pull in Richmond, but when we got there the fender was gone. It was on the way so we just proceeded to Sacramento to buy from the Ebay seller.
To begin the install, we pulled off one corner of the bumper, the headlight bottom trim, and the headlight itself. The fender liner just needs to be unscrewed and detached in the wheel well. It is not necessary to remove these parts completely, the fender can be removed with them just loose. A good guide is this video, but as noted before he disassembles a bit more than needed.
Then swap over the trim piece and side marker light, and install the replacement fender with the same screws. Make them all snug but the fender still movable, close the hood to check alignment, and tighten down when it looks good. Make sure to remember to reconnect the marker light connector!
