E39 Windshield trim replacement

[Steve530]

Replaced the windshield cover on my 2001 530i yesterday. I spent a good deal of time cleaning out of the groove and the edge of the windshield. After removing all of the rubber I could get out, I used a paper towel with a little Naphtha to remove all of the residue. Then I used a bit of car polish to make it smooth.

Installation was a lot easier. I squirted car was liquid diluted with water on the trim and the groove. The hardest part for me was making sure that the corners were properly adjusted. I found it was easiest to install the top and both corners and the slide the trim back and forth to make sure the trim was evenly spaced on both sides.

[RoyalBlau]

Replaced the windshield cover on my 2001 530i yesterday. I spent a good deal of time cleaning out of the groove and the edge of the windshield. After removing all of the rubber I could get out, I used a paper towel with a little Naphtha to remove all of the residue. Then I used a bit of car polish to make it smooth.

Installation was a lot easier. I squirted car was liquid diluted with water on the trim and the groove. The hardest part for me was making sure that the corners were properly adjusted. I found it was easiest to install the top and both corners and the slide the trim back and forth to make sure the trim was evenly spaced on both sides.

Thanks for the extra advice/tips. I will be doing my car as well sometime this week.

[Jeff131]

Can someone refer me to a similar description for replacing the rear window molding/trim. I used this thread to replace the front windshield molding and am very satisfied with the result.. I had all the pre-installation warnings from the dealer and auto glass shops, but was able to replace the trim myself (thanks to the advice here) for less the $50. Thanks again..

[here4beer]

Thanks for posting this thread. I just replaced the front trim on my '97 528i. It was in much worse shape than the OP's. Finished after dark so I'll need to quality check in daylight.

For me, removing the top side of the old set was the most difficult. The soapy water was key to installing the new piece.

[02Pilot]

Excellent DIY write-up. Following it, I did mine today in ~30 minutes. FWIW, Windex works well as an installation lubricant, and the tip about using a bike tire lever is dead-on; it works perfectly to lift the lower trim and help push the side pieces down and in toward the channel and edge of the glass.

[chamoh78]

u r getting your windshield tinted? how is that legal?

It's not, at least it's not in Virginia.....

[1stcarwillbanM5]

Question..does the outer flap on the sides need to be tucked in or is the "inside" part of the seal the only part that needs to be tucked?

[alex1020]

I just got a E39 yesterday It REALY needs this replacemnet... will do it this weeken Thanks for the info

[brettbolt]

I recently purchased a 2002 530i with badly deteriorated molding.

A local windshield installer quoted me $249 to replace the molding! He said in order to replace the molding he would have to remove the windshield and it might break, so he would have to pre-order a replacement windshield in case that happened.

Anyway, glad I found this site! Needless to say, the local installer didn't get my business. Thanks to this thread, I replaced the front molding in about 1 hour. Before I started, I put protective tape on the glass and paint around the molding so I wouldnt scratch anything. The process went very well, and I saved a lot of money.

[vini079]

Do I need the buy these also beside the molding?

09Covering left 51718193201
09Covering right 51718193202

Thanks

[topaz540i]

i just bought the trim piece, nothing else. although the triangles at the bottom prob could use some lovin too.

[MINIz guy]

Don't do this if you've had your windshield replaced! The new windshield glue may not leave enough room to put another trim piece on. I learned the hard way on my E39 and don't have a trim piece on right now.

The local glass guy quoted me $165 to remove the windshield and put on the trim piece. This is my only solution now and a costly one at that.

My original rear glass trim was replaced without any troubles though!

[LucasBMW]

Thanks for this post OP. I was wondering about this. My 528iT had this problem before I sold it. I just picked up a close to pristine 528i sport and the window trim came with the car. The original owner said that the glass had to be replaced so I wasn't going to worry about it. I assume this is the same procedure for the rear glass on sedans, correct?

[Guam135i]

I recently purchased a 2002 530i with badly deteriorated molding.

A local windshield installer quoted me $249 to replace the molding! He said in order to replace the molding he would have to remove the windshield and it might break, so he would have to pre-order a replacement windshield in case that happened.

Anyway, glad I found this site! Needless to say, the local installer didn't get my business. Thanks to this thread, I replaced the front molding in about 1 hour. Before I started, I put protective tape on the glass and paint around the molding so I wouldnt scratch anything. The process went very well, and I saved a lot of money.

Great DIY and great idea on the tape.

[AllenWagOn]

just did this today. THANKS! mine is not 100% centered but i dont feel like taking the whole thing off. so for those who are going to do it..double check the corners!

[DanE39]

Need to do this. Mine looks like a NIGHTMARE

[KMFDM26]

I just did mine today and it came out great. Thanks for the tutorial.

[Only1Balto]

The owner before me used grey RTV around the windscreen.... so.... I'm good. (not)

[Guam135i]

the rubber trim has gone on my car but looking at it there is also a small metal trim attached to the glass that is coming apart from the glass is this part of the trim? thanks

[BlackBMWs]

Sorry for the late responses, as I've been wrenching on my other cars and boats as the 540it has been pretty solid these last two years. (I hope I didn't jinx myself...)

Question..does the outer flap on the sides need to be tucked in or is the "inside" part of the seal the only part that needs to be tucked?

Not sure of your ? but the inboard portion of the seal tucks in around the edge of the windshield if I recall correctly, and the outboard portion (Facing away from the windshield) sits flush in the clean groove.

Do I need the buy these also beside the molding?

09Covering left 51718193201
09Covering right 51718193202

Thanks

I did, along with the lower trim for the wiper area. Just havent installed them as I picked them up after I did this DIY and they were actually in good shape. I'll be installing all three pieces before the end of the year and will update this DIY.

Don't do this if you've had your windshield replaced! The new windshield glue may not leave enough room to put another trim piece on. I learned the hard way on my E39 and don't have a trim piece on right now.

The local glass guy quoted me $165 to remove the windshield and put on the trim piece. This is my only solution now and a costly one at that.

My original rear glass trim was replaced without any troubles though!

Can you clean out the extra sealant carefully with an x-acto blade (Carefully..) You then may have enough room to install the trim. That's likely what the windshield dude is going to do...

Thanks for this post OP. I was wondering about this. My 528iT had this problem before I sold it. I just picked up a close to pristine 528i sport and the window trim came with the car. The original owner said that the glass had to be replaced so I wasn't going to worry about it. I assume this is the same procedure for the rear glass on sedans, correct?

Perhaps someone else can comment as my 5 is a tour and dosent have the same trip on the rear as yours. I have done this on my E36 325i sedan and the procedure is similar.

the rubber trim has gone on my car but looking at it there is also a small metal trim attached to the glass that is coming apart from the glass is this part of the trim? thanks

There is a metal piece imbedded inside the rubber trim and that's likely what you are seeing.

Glad this DIY has worked out for many folks. I have the two triangular bottom pieces and the trim around the wiper blades I want to install at some point and I'll add those to the DIY. I've been in boat repair land as of late...

Cheers!

[Guam135i]

There is a metal piece imbedded inside the rubber trim and that's likely what you are seeing.


Cheers!

When I order the part does it come with that metal strip too? thanks

[BlackBMWs]

When I order the part does it come with that metal strip too? thanks

I'd guess yes, but to be sure, post a pic of the piece you are referencing. Just want to ensure we are thinking the same thing.

[KMFDM26]

When I order the part does it come with that metal strip too? thanks

Yes, it's inside the trim, like a backbone.

[Guam135i]

I'd guess yes, but to be sure, post a pic of the piece you are referencing. Just want to ensure we are thinking the same thing.

[eRadek]

Was doing windshield replacement on mine and run in to this forum looking for something.

here is a link that might help some of you picture was posted by BlackBMWs
but he never give a link to it or more info about it...

copy link...

• realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DM63&mospid=47585&btnr=51_2258& hg=51&fg=20

RealOEM.com Home => Select another car => Vehicle trim => Exterior trim

No. Description Supplement Qty From Up To Part Number Price Notes Photo
01 GRILLE LEFT SCHWARZ 1 09/2000 51138159315 $58.55
02 GRILLE RIGHT SCHWARZ 1 09/2000 51138159316 $58.55
03 WINDSHIELD FRAME COVER 1 51718159292 $65.73
04 Gasket ring 3 51718205199 $2.98

05 EXPANDING RIVET 8 51218205295 $0.57

06 Grommet 8 51718186501 $0.28

07 COVERING FRONT LEFT GRUNDIERT 1 51138168809 $17.40

07 COVERING FRONT RIGHT GRUNDIERT 1 51138168810 $17.40

08 SYNTHETIC STRIP 1 51138168812 $1.28

09 Covering left 1 51718193201 $7.03

09 Covering right 1 51718193202 $7.03

10 Cover plug 1 51717020032 $1.45
11 Clamp 3 61131925120 $0.32