I have been doing quite a bit of maintenance and repair lately --

I have had only one key to my '04 R53 since losing the other key several years ago. Suddenly, about 2 months ago, the remote functions of the key quit working or worked very erratically. New battery and new buttons later it still doesn't work. Late one night I had the thought, "I wonder if the key is in a jacket pocket somewhere?". Living in Florida that's kind of a random thought since I've worn jacket a total of one day in 2 years but I checked pockets anyway and, VOILE!, there it was! A new battery later and now I can unlock doors without sticking a key in the lock like a Neanderthal.

Second, while working on my exhaust I lost a bolt that somehow found its way between the serpentine belt and AC pulley and sounded like a coffee can full of rocks until the system rejected it and about half my brand new belt. Having pulled off the inner fender for about the brazillianth time to repair the damage and replace the belt I'm wondering if there would be any negative effect of leaving the inner fender off?

 

Would think if you leave the inner fender off the engine bay is going to get allot more dirt and water in it.

I remember in the Tampa Bay area when it got cold to the point that they had rolling power outages as the power grid could not handle all the heaters running.

 

Glad you found it

For the fender I would put it back on as you can easily get stuff thrown into and damage the belt.

 

On the upside for OP, it would be exactly what he wants. The stuff thrown in between the belt and the pulley would be easy to retrieve as he wishes for.

 

X3! The inner fender needs to be in there to prevent the tire from throwing more debris into the belt!