Replacing rear glass - anything I should know about?

[tangcla]

So I'm needing a glass replacement on my 8, apart from sourcing the glass itself, is there anything I or the glass fitter should be aware of?

[Money Pit]

Hi Tangcla,

Nice to see a post from another owner in Australia. I had mine replaced a few years ago under insurance .

Expect to pay around AU$2300 plus fitting!

Firstly, the glass is three weeks from Germany. The rubber is three weeks from Germany. Best to make sure they order both unless your existing rubber is really good.

Make sure the person replacing the glass has has E31 experience - mine didn't, in spite of everything I told them when I handed them the keys (really ).

Check the current alignment with the boot lid - measure & record if necessary.

They need to know how to get the "C" Pillar covers off without breaking the plastic tabs (will probably happen anyway) and then get them back on without breaking the plastic tabs. They need to locate the metal clips for the ends of the plastic tabs. I put up with mine falling off regularly for nearly two years (still )

Avoid aftermarket "C" pillar covers if they do need to replace them - the foam underlay is thicker than stock. Try to get BMW replacements via US parts suppliers otherwise expect around AU$400 a side.

There might be some rust under the rubber seal so it might be a good time to check with the rubber out.

[tangcla]

Hi Tangcla,

Nice to see a post from another owner in Australia.

Thanks Philip, the rubbers are a good idea, thank you for that (part number 51318108044 for reference).

Also great to know about the C-pillar covers. I will most likely remove the covers first before their arrival, and I didn't even know aftermarket ones were an option!

[kiwiCSi]

If necessary, you can repair the broken C-pillar covers by plastic welding - this also allows you to make the tabs slightly longer, so they engage the clips properly, and (hopefully) don't snap off again.
Good idea to do this work yourself, independently of the glass replacement.

[tangcla]

A BMW dealership will be doing the work - I possibly don't need to do anything