E39 Windshield trim replacement

[MNsport528i]

I didn't mean its holding in the windshield.I am just trying to figure out if the trim is going to be held it good without falling out

Oh, I think I know what you mean.
I replaced my trim last Fall - it has survived a wide variety of weather and is not going anywhere. So yes, it is holding up very well and is not coming back out.

[Constructo003]

So yes, it is holding up very well and is not coming back out.

Thanks for the Help!

[aliaw540]

Did mine 3 weeks ago and it is sitting in there fine still, even after our big rainstorms.

[TFD528iT]

add another item to the list. I was just about to go to the car glass place to get a quote on this fix and a small crack... Looks like i'll do this myself. Thanks for the write up.

Ruff/Ruff/Bark

[KILROZ]

First off.... 50% on the windshield is NOTHING!!! until you drive with it on your windshield, you shouldnt comment on it. you can see very clearly with 50% on your windshield. especailly since he's only got 35% on the sides. I personally wouldnt do it, but i've driven cars with limo all the way around and 35% on the windshield. couldn't tell there was anything on the windhsield at all, except from outside.

as for the trim for a water seal... no. it's strictly cosmetic. the seal is behind the glass. now, just because it's cosmetic, doesnt mean you dont need it. without it, you're driving in a wind tunnel. a few guys have claimed that by replacing this trim, they've gotten rid of mystery noises.

Nice writeup. good photos. now people will believe when we tell them how EASY this is.

i've got the limo all the way around with 35% on the windshield and i love it.

[bimmerspeed]

Thanks! Yes, clean is good in this case. No debris is good. Soapy water and cleaning the window edge made it a breeze to install.

As far as that rubber piece, maybe part # 9 shown below.



09 COVERING LEFT151718193201$7.59
09 COVERING RIGHT151718193202$7.59

Cheers!

Black,

Whats the part number for #3?

Thanks!!

[monsstr]

Great write up Black!!! My trim looked like your before photos. The outer edge actually crumbled into little pieces when I removed it.

Today I have brand new trim around my windshield. Thanks for taking the time.

[tn528]

I didn't mean its holding in the windshield.I am just trying to figure out if the trim is going to be held it good without falling out

Even my massively disintegrating trim was still in there good and tight. The metal piece holds it in very snugly. I doubt it's even possible for it to come out on it's own. I replaced mine last weekend. SO much better and took about 30 minutes. Only $40 and all pretty again.

[E39esp]

Wow I'm tempted to do this right now, its a little project ive been putting off over and over. The trim on my car looks terrible and just seems chips if you run a finger across it.

[theshiznet2004]

I replaced mine today....a fifth grader can do this. For anyone who needs to do this DON'T pay anyone...all it takes is a little common sense. Make sure you clean the old gunk off the windshield...then use soapy water and the new trim slides right in.

Too easy....

J

[nodoubts2k]

Ditto with what the others have said, it's easy as pie. I'd advise fitting the top edges first, then making your way around. Thanks again OP for the pics and great writeup!

[BMRSEB]

Took my old, cracking, peeling trim off yesterday. Didn't put the new trim in yet and it rained on the way to work, hope I didn't allow water to seep in somewhere?

Anyway, will install it tonight.. I like the tip about soapy water, tried doing it "dry" and it was tough, so figured it could wait a day.

[garoadie]

Thank you BlackBMW for your DIY post. After reading it, I decided to try the windshield cover replacement myself. My dealer wanted $800 (w/o windshield or $1,300 (with windshield) to do the repair.

I have two questions. On the attached pics, what is the piece the screw driver is pointing to? In the first pic, you can see it is... coming loose. That happened accidentally when removing the rubber cover. I guess it was sticking to it.

Second question is, do I remove it and toss it for the repair?

Thank you'll in advance for the help.

[BlackBMWs]

Thank you BlackBMW for your DIY post. After reading it, I decided to try the windshield cover replacement myself. My dealer wanted $800 (w/o windshield or $1,300 (with windshield) to do the repair.

I have two questions. On the attached pics, what is the piece the screw driver is pointing to? In the first pic, you can see it is... coming loose. That happened accidentally when removing the rubber cover. I guess it was sticking to it.

Second question is, do I remove it and toss it for the repair?

Thank you'll in advance for the help.

From the photo, it looks like part of the trim you are working to remove. When the trim is removed, there is only the windshield, the sealing material under the windshield and the frame of the body the windshield sits in. You'll need to clean it all out very well before putting the new trim in. Look at the new trim, then at what's left in the frame. You should see it's just the old trim.

Good luck!

[cnn]

Thanks to BlackBMWs for this DIY. I just did exactly that and it works great.
Do NOT listen to the dealer (They say you have to remove the windshield glass to do this job!!! Not true.)

Thanks BlackBMWs.

[sbronco68]

Hi guys,
This is my fist BMW and first post. I have a 04 530I with bad craked and missing windshield trim. Sorry if this is a dumb question but does this DIY cover an 2004?. Thanks in advance for any replys.

-Shawn

[BlackBMWs]

Thanks to BlackBMWs for this DIY. I just did exactly that and it works great.
Do NOT listen to the dealer (They say you have to remove the windshield glass to do this job!!! Not true.)

Thanks BlackBMWs.

You're very welcome! Glad it helped...

Hi guys,
This is my fist BMW and first post. I have a 04 530I with bad craked and missing windshield trim. Sorry if this is a dumb question but does this DIY cover an 2004?. Thanks in advance for any replys.

-Shawn

As long as it's an E39, yup, it would...

Black,

Whats the part number for #3?

Thanks!!

51-71-81-592-92 Hope it helps!

[garoadie]

Thank you again BlackBMWs for your 8/15/09 reply to my 8/14/09 post. Here is an update.

I received the new windshield cover. The piece I was pointing to was part of the old cover and needed to be removed. Great job on explaining the painted body frame the windshield sits in, windshield, and sealant are all that should remain after removing the old cover.

I found two rubber buffers (part #51311925433) along the top. What are they for (buffering what)? Do I leave them there?

It took me way over an hour, but my old cover was gummy/sticky/melted in areas. I found Goo Gone great for removing the sticky black stuff left by the old cover. Another challenge was excess black windshield sealant from the factory that oozed out into the painted body frame the windshield sits in and just under the windshield edge (where the cover slips under the windshield edge). I found it needed to be removed for the new cover to install properly. If the painted body frame the windshield sits in is damaged while removing and preparing the area for the new cover, it needs to be primed and painted.

I also found a (bicycle) tire lever great for removing and installing the windshield covers. It is plastic and slides great with soap & water.

[The forum will not let me post a reply with additional photos.]

[surferml1091]

nice write up!

[boca rat]

Anyone know what the 3 rubber bumpers that Bavauto sells to go with the trim are for and when you use them?

Thx

[robotz991]

thank you... you couldnt have better timing..

[BlackBMWs]

Anyone know what the 3 rubber bumpers that Bavauto sells to go with the trim are for and when you use them?

Thx

Don't know... They don't show up in RealOEM and when I purchased mine at BavAuto, I asked if they were needed and I believe I was told, "Not really".

[garoadie]

Anyone know what the 3 rubber bumpers that Bavauto sells to go with the trim are for and when you use them?

Thx

See my post on 8/24/09. I found the part number I referenced on RealOEM.om. As to the location, I found 2 rubber buffers stuck on the upper side (roof side) of the painted body frame the windshield sits in when I removed my old cover.

[TommyV]

Thanks for posting this DIY! Super easy and my 540 looks so much better!

[jms530i]

Ttt