Side Finisher Rubber Replacement and Rear Side Window Trim Replacement

[oceansize]

Good info what brand do you recommend?

Here's some photos of my Brand New lower trim pieces. It almost looks like they need to be wet sanded and then coated. For $35 each I will try to “clean” them up a bit before using them. Glad they weren't the ones for $125 each!

Meguiars Ceramic Detailer, Turtle Wax Ceramic or Graphene, Mothers, etc. Doesn't need to be anything exotic in my experience. 303 every now and again is fine to.

[WOLFN8TR]

Good info what brand do you recommend?

Here's some photos of my Brand New lower trim pieces. It almost looks like they need to be wet sanded and then coated. For $35 each I will try to “clean” them up a bit before using them. Glad they weren't the ones for $125 each!

[PSUEng]

The ceramic and graphene spray on coatings appear to do a nice job of preserving rubber. I've been using it on my daily's rubber trim for seven years and the rubber is absolutely mint. Should be noted that my daily is not garage kept. I'm only wondering if the rubber will now rot from the inside out.

I've used 303 and SiO2 spray on rubber as of late, so hoping that keeps my trims looking good if this is the kind of quality replacements are out there. These horizontal "gasket rails" have shot up in price too; now they are expensive poor quality parts.

[oceansize]

The ceramic and graphene spray on coatings appear to do a nice job of preserving rubber. I've been using it on my daily's rubber trim for seven years and the rubber is absolutely mint. Should be noted that my daily is not garage kept. I'm only wondering if the rubber will now rot from the inside out.

[WOLFN8TR]

Yep my M3 is also in garage. BMW's rubber deteriorates if you look at it the wrong way. 😂

[Maxima SE]

Yes the lower rear window trim pieces from ECS not the ones on the GB from eBay. I haven't got those yet, ETA June 26th.

ohhhhh okay good.

yeah the lower trim are complete garbage since at least 3 years ago

I don’t know why bmws exterior trim and interior hard surface coating is such shit and doesn’t last. The finish on the European center console comes off effortlessly. I’ve already replaced the sunroof trim and rear 1/4 window trims on a car that has been garaged for 11 years straight. I take it out on a hot sunny day and stuff literally melts lol
My 20 year old Nissan has better exterior and interior trim for half the price new.

[WOLFN8TR]

You serious ??

Yes the lower rear window trim pieces from ECS not the ones on the GB from eBay. I haven't got those yet, ETA June 26th.

[ChapterM3]

Commenting to save this thread for later, definitely have to attempt this DIY for the window trim!

[0-60motorsports]

Here are mine, you can see where I rubbed it with my finger and it removed some of the coating on it. It seems it has some kind of coating on it, it's rough to the touch.

[Maxima SE]

Just opened both of mine and they look like cheaply made crap!

you serious ??

[SQ13]

So I just realized that I replaced these seals on my E36 coupe a while ago, and it did not require the removal of the shadow line trim. I do not remember the details of that install on the E36, but why does the E46 require removal of the large trim piece?

[karter16]

On a side note, ordered a "Gasket Rail" from one of the online parts houses; part showed up looking like crap--rough texture, spotty degradation. So, back it goes. Not sure what's going on, old stock? Crappy new production?

Just checked my spares I bought from Schmiedmann about a year ago. They have a white powdery/waxy coating on the rubber that makes them look like absolute 5h1t (it looks like there are 3D gouges in the surface) but it all just wipes off, and actual rubber surface looks fine on mine.

Realise it might not be the same for everyone but might be worth checking.

[WOLFN8TR]

To be clear Gary, you're referring to the replacement items from the ebay listing, not the flat, bottom pieces that are being spoken about immediately above your post?

Tyler I was referring to the two lower trim pieces. What a disappointment.

[0-60motorsports]

To be clear Gary, you're referring to the replacement items from the ebay listing, not the flat, bottom pieces that are being spoken about immediately above your post?

Mine are now stateside, but still on the east coast, so I don't have them quite yet.

Yeah im sure he is speaking about the bottom window outer seals and trim. I'll have to check mine out when i get home today and post pics.

[Tbonem3]

Just opened both of mine and they look like cheaply made crap!

To be clear Gary, you're referring to the replacement items from the ebay listing, not the flat, bottom pieces that are being spoken about immediately above your post?

Mine are now stateside, but still on the east coast, so I don't have them quite yet.