Side Finisher Rubber Replacement and Rear Side Window Trim Replacement

[kenster]

you're missing the bottom trim which acts as sort of a guide to proper placement. just look at the passenger side and you'll know what I'm talking about. but yes, you should hand tighten the two bolts. best to have someone help hold so you can adjust properly.

Thanks for the help! I removed the bottom trim with intentions to replace it during this project. Hmm, I've tried installing it with the lower strip and without the strip and it doesn't seem to make a difference in terms of how the rear window shuts (both methods seem to fold the trim inwards). When I initially had the bottom trim in place, the window wouldn't shut well enough to seal and I could see light shining though from the cabin, however without the strip it seems to close a bit more, but I can hear the motor struggling to get it sealed lol, so there seems to continue to be clearance issues, I'm just not sure where else to shave down the rubber or the bracket.

All the help is appreciated.

[I M Legend]

Seeking guidance: I tried tackling this earlier today and I decided to go the route of drilling out the rivet, however when I reinstalled everything, the rear window doesn't seal completely and it folds the rubber inwards by the curve at the rear. People mentioned they were able to keep the 2 bolts of the rear window loose while holding it forwards (towards the front of the car), before tightening, while this did help a bit, I was still having the same issue. Any tips would be appreciated.

you're missing the bottom trim which acts as sort of a guide to proper placement. just look at the passenger side and you'll know what I'm talking about. but yes, you should hand tighten the two bolts. best to have someone help hold so you can adjust properly.

[kenster]

Seeking guidance: I tried tackling this earlier today and I decided to go the route of drilling out the rivet, however when I reinstalled everything, the rear window doesn't seal completely and it folds the rubber inwards by the curve at the rear. People mentioned they were able to keep the 2 bolts of the rear window loose while holding it forwards (towards the front of the car), before tightening, while this did help a bit, I was still having the same issue. Any tips would be appreciated.

[bimmerfan08]

But did you 303 it after every wash?

Nope! Washed and sent it.

[bimmerfan08]

New seals arrived today. Look good upon initial inspection. Took 2 days to arrive from ECS.

[Tbonem3]

But did you 303 it after every wash?

[bimmerfan08]

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

My M3's original window seals started deteriorating ~1 year ago. BD of 11/2001. Car has been garaged the entire time I've owned it (08/2010 purchase).

[0-60motorsports]

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

Exactly! LOL

[Maxima SE]

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

lmfao !

[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.