E39 Windshield trim replacement

[BORGERDING]

Excellent!!!

[whitecouch]

Easiest install of all time, I did this one three weeks ago and couldn't be happier!! I used a rubber mallet to ensure I had the trim all the way in. Did the drivers side door trim at the same time as it had some tears. All wind noise gone!!

[Brandon540m]

I will be referencing this soon..

[bigbutch200]

yes when you get it in it is in ,it will not come out.You do not need a new windshield.takes about 30 minutes to replace.

[Mark540i]

has anyone done the rear windshield yet? i would assume the process is the same as the front but you never know.

[bulletbikeguy]

My seals look good still but water doesn't seem to channel correctly and ends up running across my driver's side window. Any remedy for this? Thanks!

[wld1nwest]

Just completed the install of the front windshield molding following your step by step. Easy as pie. Took about 1 hour. My local windshield repair shop wanted $240 to do the job insisting that the windshield had to be removed! Got the part from Bavarian Autosport in 3 days. Thanks for the step by step and photos!

[CBRacerX]

Just bought the trim after reading this, so happy it is easy to replace!

[JuzWerkz]

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

Thx

I have not done this DIY yet, and I have not seen the particular bumpers in question, so this answer is pure speculation. But I have replaced a couple of windshields on other cars, and have used similar rubber blocks in the windshield frame as spacers to help align and hold the windshield in place as the adhesive dries so that the weight of the windshield doesn't sag it down to the bottom of the channel. In some cases without one or more of these blocks on the top, the bottom ones are not compressed, so the windshield sits too high. I'm guessing this is what these bumpers you are referring to are, and if that's the case, then for this job they would be unnecessary, as you are not disturbing the actual windshield sealant (hopefully!). Thanks for this post, and I will be doing this at some point this summer as well.

cj

[m34ever]

Just did mine, thanks for the write up!

[98M3_4]

+1, thanks for the write up, just did mine as well. wish everything on our E39's were this easy

[texas540i]

Thanks for the write up. This is getting done next wekend to my 97 540i. You gave me all the info I will need to be successful. Thanks again.

All the Best,

Texas540i

[will6464]

Thanks for the info. Done my 540I trim the other day. Cheap, Easy, Looks nice, Stayed in at 100+.

[texas540i]

for anyone looking to do this, I am getting ready to order the windshield trim for my 97 540i form one of the forum's supporting vendors. EAC Tuning has this for $37.36 plus about 5 bukcs to ship. Here is a link.

http://www.eactuning.com/parts/parts_search_page/#

Thanks again for the post.

[magnetchief]

I only joined this forum a couple of days ago. But I'm loving it more and more.
This is one of the things I need to do to my recent purchase.
Thanks to the op. Great write up.

[BlackBMWs]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments! I'm glad this DIY helps you all get your cars back in form.

Regards,

[broadkid718]

I guess Im the only one that had trouble with this....... the sides came out quick but WTF! the top wont come out.. Someone please help

[BlackBMWs]

I guess Im the only one that had trouble with this....... the sides came out quick but WTF! the top wont come out.. Someone please help

I had issues too getting the top piece off. I broke a pick and in the end, used a pair of long nosed vise grips to get a solid hold of the piece at a corner and manage to pull it out.

The trick for me was to get a solid grip on an end.

[garoadie]

I guess Im the only one that had trouble with this....... the sides came out quick but WTF! the top wont come out.. Someone please help

Broadkid718:

Have you tried the pick and tire lever mentioned in posts? That would be my suggestion(s).

[98M3_4]

Yeah, you really gotta pull very hard to get the top out... of course everyone's experience may vary

[broadkid718]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the help but as I tried with the pick to get a good grip I cracked the windshield
It was small but this morning when I walked to the car saw that the cracked has more than doubled in size!!!! FML

[garoadie]

Broadkid718:

OMG! I'm so sorry to hear about your bad luck. I damaged my paint in the groove/track the trim was seated in during my repair. You might try one of those places that repairs windshield cracks immediately to see if they can prevent you from having to get a new windshield. You could also try a junk yard. I want to say I have heard aftermarket replacement windshields do not have as soft a glass as a BMW windshield.

[broadkid718]

Got a new aftermarket one installed today for $150 Its so clear compared to the factory one. I think it was time anyway,
Its all good.. now on to the next mod (tinted windshield)

[Camarok]

Great write up and comments guys! I'm nearing the end of my window trim life.... probably will be doing this soon...

[michael858]

what's the pro for replacing the seal? does it reduce wind noise?

mine needs to be replace, but idk much about the benefits.