2.2 Drilling Out Punch Rivets

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 128i, 2012 BMW 128i, 2011 BMW 128i, 2010 BMW 135i, and 2010 BMW 128i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Only if extraction proves repeatedly unsuccessful or the rivet cannot be accessed with the universal riveting tool.

Drill out rivets with a 6 mm dia. carbide drill bit.
Punch rivets can be drilled out on both sides. When drilling from the protruding rear side, spot-drill the rivet shank only and remove the rest with a rivet punch.
Use a drift punch to remove punch rivet remnants in the aluminum (risk of corrosion).
Clean vehicle to remove chips (risk of corrosion).