Side Finisher Rubber Replacement and Rear Side Window Trim Replacement

[Tbonem3]

These have been "saved for later" in my FCP cart for ages – every time I consider biting the bullet I find something better to spend my money on than a piece of f'ing rubber.

Sometimes a little piece of fucking rubber saves you hundreds of thousands of $

[Slideways]

prices are getting insane. Im going to have to spend a few hundred bucks to hoard parts that will skyrocket or go NLA. windhsield and sunroof seals, windshield cowl etc.

For those cars that are not seeing the miles and are not being parked outside, I would expect those seals to last a good 20 years. Not really worth keeping a bunch of extras around. Some parts will start to disintegrate in their original packaging lol

[Maxima SE]

prices are getting insane. Im going to have to spend a few hundred bucks to hoard parts that will skyrocket or go NLA. windhsield and sunroof seals, windshield cowl etc.

[elrichmeister]

god damn pushing 90 bucks?! According to my purchase history from FCP, i paid 35 for each in july of 2020.

man, i bought some in 2018 for my non-m coupe, $31 and $27 according to my order history. I should've bought an extra set for future use lol

[dukeofchen]

god damn pushing 90 bucks?! According to my purchase history from FCP, i paid 35 for each in july of 2020.

These have been "saved for later" in my FCP cart for ages – every time I consider biting the bullet I find something better to spend my money on than a piece of f'ing rubber.

[Maxima SE]

Update for those looking for decently priced matte rear window gaskets. Bimmerworld has both sides in stock.

Part # 51368194741 for $83.40

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Body-Aero/Stock-Trim-Accessories/Rear-Vent-Window-Gasket-Left-E46-Coupe-BMW-51368194741.html

Part # 51368194742 for $75.35
https://www.bimmerworld.com/Body-Aer...368194742.html

god damn pushing 90 bucks?! According to my purchase history from FCP, i paid 35 for each in july of 2020.

[jamesdc23]

Hi, thanks for this,

I’m uk based so getting hold of this exact rubber is very difficult.

would this work; https://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/shop/srs3292-22831

thanks,

j

[bimmerfan08]

Update for those looking for decently priced matte rear window gaskets. Bimmerworld has both sides in stock.

Part # 51368194741 for $83.40

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Body-Aero/Stock-Trim-Accessories/Rear-Vent-Window-Gasket-Left-E46-Coupe-BMW-51368194741.html

Part # 51368194742 for $75.35
https://www.bimmerworld.com/Body-Aer...368194742.html

[PSUEng]

How much did you pay for each piece?

Maybe $35?

[bimmerfan08]

I purchased the parts last year--one from FCP, another from Latvia; both had same condition--some residual mold release, and/or evidence of sub-par tooling by the looks of the "lines" in the rubber. I polished them with some fine paint polish and they look better, but not as good as original parts. I could pull the parts out of storage and look at the date codes I guess. Fortunately, I bought these before the prices doubled so I'm not that worked up over it. But at current prices, noway.

Parts are a huge crap shoot now--original tooling may be unavailable and replacement tooling not as good; materials have changed to regulations, cost, etc.; worker turnover, etc.

How much did you pay for each piece?

[PSUEng]

Without seeing what your OE pieces look like this may or may not be relevant information, but there was a discussion a couple of years ago regarding this for people who had bought new OE at that time. People were disappointed with the finish, however the items were coated with a waxy white substance (kinda like it was a release agent from the manufacturing process). When this was cleaned off the finish on the piece was good as per expected.

Of course no idea whether this is still relevant/relevant to your items, but thought I'd mention it.

Edit: I've just been through my activity history and it may have actually been from the M3F days, so longer ago than a couple of years.

I purchased the parts last year--one from FCP, another from Latvia; both had same condition--some residual mold release, and/or evidence of sub-par tooling by the looks of the "lines" in the rubber. I polished them with some fine paint polish and they look better, but not as good as original parts. I could pull the parts out of storage and look at the date codes I guess. Fortunately, I bought these before the prices doubled so I'm not that worked up over it. But at current prices, noway.

Parts are a huge crap shoot now--original tooling may be unavailable and replacement tooling not as good; materials have changed to regulations, cost, etc.; worker turnover, etc.

[bimmerfan08]

Confirming it's matte finish

[karter16]

I purchased OE parts and they are rough, finish is not as good as originals.

Without seeing what your OE pieces look like this may or may not be relevant information, but there was a discussion a couple of years ago regarding this for people who had bought new OE at that time. People were disappointed with the finish, however the items were coated with a waxy white substance (kinda like it was a release agent from the manufacturing process). When this was cleaned off the finish on the piece was good as per expected.

Of course no idea whether this is still relevant/relevant to your items, but thought I'd mention it.

Edit: I've just been through my activity history and it may have actually been from the M3F days, so longer ago than a couple of years.

[Tbonem3]

Yes, matte

I think ZHP (non M) was gloss black finishes.

[bimmerfan08]

He has this available? I purchased OE parts and they are rough, finish is not as good as originals. Is he selling this piece direct, or auction site?

EDIT: found his listing, and damn the quarter trim parts have gone way up price. Glad I ordered extras.

So I noticed there are two variations (finishes) of this part? Maybe it's the finish?

I see high gloss and matte finish available. Edit: I'm seeing on Reddit and E46fanatics that the standard factory finish was matte for E46 M3s (my car is currently in the shop, so can't confirm).

Can someone confirm which finish the E46 M3 came with? Thanks!