2006 X3 Windshield Cowl Replacement

[ethanlilly]

Hello everyone!

I have been putting off the replacement of my upper windshield trim and windshield cowl, but I am feeling like it's a bit more necessary as winter approaches. Every so often, there will be a small amount of water in either the passenger or driver footwells. I had this issue in my e91, so I figure it's likely the cowl. The upper trim is moreso being replaced for vanity purposes.

The dealer said that they would likely have to replace the windshield if they tried replacing the upper trim, as it is possible that the glass could crack. Frankly, I feel like it won't be a hard DIY from what I've seen.

Anyway...

The cowl has been somewhat harder to find a specific DIY for (in terms of a specific tutorial for e83 models). Additionally, I cannot find parts diagrams for this as easily as for past cars. From what I can tell, there only seems to be a left-side cover that goes with the cowl itself? Or am I missing something?

Hopefully this fixes my little problem. I want to clean the sunroof drains out as well at some point, but I'm in no rush for that. I pulled the fuse for it to prevent battery drain

Sometimes I wonder how and why I'm willing to occupy my time with this kind of stuff lol

TIA for any insight

[X3456]

Hello everyone!

I have been putting off the replacement of my upper windshield trim and windshield cowl, but I am feeling like it's a bit more necessary as winter approaches. Every so often, there will be a small amount of water in either the passenger or driver footwells. I had this issue in my e91, so I figure it's likely the cowl. The upper trim is moreso being replaced for vanity purposes.

The dealer said that they would likely have to replace the windshield if they tried replacing the upper trim, as it is possible that the glass could crack. Frankly, I feel like it won't be a hard DIY from what I've seen.

Anyway...

The cowl has been somewhat harder to find a specific DIY for (in terms of a specific tutorial for e83 models). Additionally,Sometimes I wonder how and why I'm willing to occupy my time with this kind of stuff lol

TIA for any insight

Simply put...you are hooked, my friend! Just like the rest of us...we all want to keep a good thing going inspite of some minor damage or flaw. And boy there can be several... Good luck!

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[ethanlilly]

Simply put...you are hooked, my friend! Just like the rest of us...we all want to keep a good thing going inspite of some minor damage or flaw. And boy there can be several... Good luck!

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"Several"

haha

Would that be considered denial or bargaining? :P

You're right though!

[X3456]

"Several"

haha

Would that be considered denial or bargaining?

You're right though!

What about... "multiple" and I got three of them (X3)!
The up side is: if I repair a problem on one, I've essentially repaired the other two. Just don't let Murphy's Law kick in!

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[ethanlilly]

What about... "multiple" and I got three of them (X3)!
The up side is: if I repair a problem on one, I've essentially repaired the other two. Just don't let Murphy's Law kick in!

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I like your attitude! You can also swap parts between them depending on which one you need for any particular occasion.

Gotta ask: have you had any issues with your windshield trim at all? I didn't have my first E83 long enough to deal with the issue, since it fell victim to a crazy blizzard and an 18 wheeler

[X3456]

I like your attitude! You can also swap parts between them depending on which one you need for any particular occasion.

Gotta ask: have you had any issues with your windshield trim at all? I didn't have my first E83 long enough to deal with the issue, since it fell victim to a crazy blizzard and an 18 wheeler

Thanks, iam hesitant on taking parts from one to the other only in cases that I'm not sure if a part is getting power or is the part functioning or not...nothing major like rack and pinion you know.

Can you post some pics of the degrading cowl maybe I can give suggestions.

I've had to replace the cowl too,,, expensive for me yeah. I built my own on one car and the others I treated with plasti dip. Here in GA the sun and heat can devour paint, plastic and rubber! And that points to BMW as being a prime victim, If left out in the sun period. Here's a recent link about our same subject.
https://www.e46fanatics.com/index.php?posts/18956333

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[ethanlilly]

Thanks, iam hesitant on taking parts from one to the other only in cases that I'm not sure if a part is getting power or is the part functioning or not...nothing major like rack and pinion you know.

Can you post some pics of the degrading cowl maybe I can give suggestions.

I've had to replace the cowl too,,, expensive for me yeah. I built my own on one car and the others I treated with plasti dip. Here in GA the sun and heat can devour paint, plastic and rubber! And that points to BMW as being a prime victim, If left out in the sun period. Here's a recent link about our same subject.
https://www.e46fanatics.com/index.php?posts/18956333

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I'll post some photos when I get home later! I will also take a look at that thread.

Thank you!! Guess we'll talk later.

[X3456]

I'll post some photos when I get home later! I will also take a look at that thread.

Thank you!! Guess we'll talk later.

Yeah, yeah...np...my neighbor is inviting me over few eats you know for the holiday....

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