Side Finisher Rubber Replacement and Rear Side Window Trim Replacement

[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!

[PSUEng]

Bumping this. For those who ordered the bottom rear quarter window seal from Matt, how was the quality? How have they held up after install?

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.

[Will]

Bumping this. For those who ordered the bottom rear quarter window seal from Matt, how was the quality? How have they held up after install?

Quality is very good. The rubber material feels OE. And so far so good, no cracking or tears.

[bimmerfan08]

Bumping this. For those who ordered the bottom rear quarter window seal from Matt, how was the quality? How have they held up after install?

[Maxima SE]

So I did the driver side on mine and I think I did it correctly. I basically slipped the end of the trim under the bracket and forced it through until the two large holes in the trim lined up with the bracket holes. However, now there is this big gap between the bracket and the trim. Is that how it is supposed to be? The holes line up perfectly...

[Chop999]

Group buy info

Price: $130 USD for one set. $260 USD for two sets. shipped to USA
Send paypal payment to: [email protected]
Under the payment amount it will ask you what this is for and type:
Group buy E46 Rear quarter weather stripping and include your name, full address including USA and phone number.

I am just a middle man here. If you get scammed or aren't fully satisfied with the overall fit or finish then it is not my responsibility ! You are welcome to wait until we have at least 1 person who installs this to get more feedback on the item. From what the seller has said, its basically OEM and the pictures posted by another member look identical to OEM as well.

Hello, just saw your message about a group buy for m3 back window upper trim with gasket. Is this still available?

[Phoenix///M3]

Props to you guys doing this with the window in and soapy water. I removed the window which is super easy and the rivot simply popped off after I tweaked the bracket slightly. 5 minute job to install new seal and rivot with $5 harbor freight special which includes rivots. Highly suggest replacing the lower weather seals at same time if they need it. They're avail for about $65 a side.

Right 51368194742
Left 51368194741

Here's the window removal steps if anyone needs them (stolen from another post)

1. Extend the window arm all the way out.

2. Pop the ball and socket joint on the rear end of the window so that the window can swing freely. You probably don't need this step.

3. Remove the rear seat bottom so you can do step 4.

4. Loosen the arm rest panel (don't remember the proper name) so you can do step 5.

5. Remove the B-pillar trim piece. It has two pop rivets at the bottom which you can get to after removing the arm rest panel. After that it just slides down and out.

6. Remove the two plastic caps on the B-pillar so you can access the bolts holding the window to the B pillar.

7. Remove the bolts... This is the only tricky/scary part. The bolts are recessed in a cavity where you could easily drop them. The bolts are angled down so gravity should keep them in the socket when you take them off, but a magnetic socket would be really comforting for this part. You also might want an assistant or some tape holding whatever part of the window is attached to the B-pillar so it doesn't fall.


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[Will]

When using the soapy water, use a dry towel to grip the trim piece when pulling it through. Made it much easier for me.

[PSUEng]

With soapy water, you can slide the seal between the bracket and trim fairly easily, it take a bit of pressure to get it started but once in, you just "feed it" slowly in place. See my post #357

I did see that and may give that a go, I would MUCH rather not remove the rivet but when I did the driver side last year, didn't have that thought. But I agree, much better initial approach. That bracket is not something you can buy as far as I can tell, so I'd rather not modify it or risk damage.

[gheorghe]

Great video. I too drilled the rivet, but didn't need to remove material on the bracket. When I do the other side, I may consider that. And, I may pull the quarter window next time. I was able to do it with the window in place, but it was tiring with small drivers and things to get at the two screws closest to the b pillar.

With soapy water, you can slide the seal between the bracket and trim fairly easily, it take a bit of pressure to get it started but once in, you just "feed it" slowly in place. See my post #357

[somm3r]

Great video. I too drilled the rivet, but didn't need to remove material on the bracket. When I do the other side, I may consider that. And, I may pull the quarter window next time. I was able to do it with the window in place, but it was tiring with small drivers and things to get at the two screws closest to the b pillar.

Thanks, man. Yea, with the rear window being so easy to remove it was a no brainer for me. Just allows so much more room to take your time on other areas and not fight clearances etc.