Source For Driver's Side Door Seal

[Braymond141]

Someone tried it on their 4 door and said it was good so far! See thread towards the top on the e36 section.

Sedan do not require the same style seal as Coupe.

No these are not correct.

[Veleno]

Sedan do not require the same style seal as Coupe.

No these are not correct.

Yes I know, what I was saying is that someone with a 4 door purchased from the same seller and they're happy with the seals (even though it didn't have the flock/felt/velvet on it).

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...uine-BMW-seals

[Braymond141]

Yes I know, what I was saying is that someone with a 4 door purchased from the same seller and they're happy with the seals (even though it didn't have the flock/felt/velvet on it).

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...uine-BMW-seals

Why? You can buy them from BMW still. Both E36 M3 (smooth rubber) and E39 M5 (felted) [you can retrofit these] are available.

[RRSperry]

Hey Brett, I thought the E36 seal black was effectively NLA, or backordered forever.

[bmwstephen]

Hey Brett, I thought the E36 seal black was effectively NLA, or backordered forever.

I think just the coupes are. Sedans are still availabe

[Braymond141]

Hey Brett, I thought the E36 seal black was effectively NLA, or backordered forever.

Not NLA. They are in production now (yet to be seen).

[RRSperry]

A distinction without a difference.

[Braymond141]

No, that’s fairly distinct. While NLA is not finite, it is a pretty good indicator that a part will never be made again. The door seals are not NLA despite whatever production delays there have been. Covid has been the primary cause of that.

[the fly]

I recently encountered the door seal topic on my 2-dr e36 before I sold it. For what it's worth, I was able to successfully dye the greyish of the two door seals out there. It took some calling of salvage yards but I found one and used RIT dye from Joann's fabrics to dye the felt material.

One other alternative idea I had was to find another door seal with a different failure spot and "splice" them together. I don't think they would have to be actually spliced to each other as long as they were securely mounted and had mating cuts. Mine failed at the roof / B-pillar corner but others appear to fail near the door latch area.

I have mine laying around as a donor in case someone wants to pay shipping and attempt it.

[RRSperry]

Brett, I’m not trying to bust your chops. Just saying that they have been on “back order” for almost 4 years. Anyway, I hope they produce them soon.

[Braymond141]

I'm just trying to root for the rest of you guys. I already got a new set of OEM door seals before they went out of stock.

[Braymond141]

“Manufacturer is set to ship in March 2023”

-My BMW parts manager 12/7/22

[Gene V]

“Manufacturer is set to ship in March 2023”

-My BMW parts manager 12/7/22

Damn, sold my car too soon...would have kept it if I had know this.

[fastbroshi]

I contacted for additional information. Will report back.

I ordered some and they got here VERY quickly. I haven't tried to fit them yet, but the velvet material looks to be very close to stock. I'll probably test fit them here soon and take some pics.

[Braymond141]

Damn, sold my car too soon...would have kept it if I had know this.

I’ll get Brian to buy them.

[Gene V]

I’ll get Brian to buy them.

lol...

[RRSperry]

Any update?

[bmwstephen]

incase anyone hasn't seen the feedback:

After market door seals on eBay as compared to genuine BMW seals (bimmerforums.com)

[Braymond141]

incase anyone hasn't seen the feedback:

After market door seals on eBay as compared to genuine BMW seals (bimmerforums.com)

Those are sedan, not coupe. They are not comparable since sedan frames are basic af and they aren't felted from the factory to begin with. Very different products.

[shogun]

also for Coupe available, for example this seller from Turkey https://www.ebay.de/itm/325345753015...Cclp%3A2047675

or this from Germany https://www.ebay.de/itm/165391817936...oAAOSwGzJiOCz9

quality I have no idea

[bmwstephen]

March is about to be over in 2 weeks. Brett any updates from your contact?

[E36 Em Tree]

Is there a way to preserve theses door seals before they start to crack more and start falling apart?

[Hagasan41]

I’ve used Gummi Pflege and the Sonax version for years. One of the first things I did to the E36 when I picked it up last year. You may need to use a mild AP cleaner to remove a layer of dead rubber so that the protectant can penetrate the rubber.

https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-9148...dDbGljaz10cnVl

[jaysonx]

Just an update...

51-71-2-138-958 has a confirmed date of 5/27/23 in Germany (but who knows, this has been a constant moving target).
51-71-2-138-957 has no date assigned - with 224 on backorder

[R.Thomas]

I recently purchased the velvet ("flocked") door seals off Ebay from the seller Europarts Depot (https://www.ebay.com/itm/325346715366). I received the seals within a week after purchasing. Overall, they have a decent appearance. However, the shape is slightly different than OEM and it appears that I will have to cut and splice the seal at the 90-degree angle between the B-pillar and top of the door opening. I plan to install them within the next few weeks and will advise concerning my findings.