Aftermarket E46 M3 windshield cowl

[heinzboehmer]

This isn't a great candidate for 3d printing. It would require a very large printer or multiple pieces. Post processing (glueing stuff together) is tedious and time consuming and thus, expensive. Machine print time is a real consideration for something this large and complex as well. Especially when surface finish matters.

The tooled options from eBay or Amazon are likely to look better and be cheaper. Just figure out which vendor has the best tooling.

This is all assuming we want an OEM replica part. CF may be fine here just expensive.

+1

On top of that, I would worry that the smaller features like the ribs up front or the pegs that click into the white clips would be too fragile on a printed part.

Might be that repainting the original cowl and finding new windshield wiper grommets (likely from some other car) is the best option here.

[Cubieman]

+1

On top of that, I would worry that the smaller features like the ribs up front or the pegs that click into the white clips would be too fragile on a printed part.

Might be that repainting the original cowl and finding new windshield wiper grommets (likely from some other car) is the best option here.

I bought those grommets separately as I didn't know they came with the part when I bought it.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-gasket-ring-51718204864

These were only $6 when I bought them in July of 2023!

[simon_c]

For the amazon one, which one are you guys using? I know someone earlier in the thread mentioned they are using the Lower Motor version ($126): https://www.amazon.com/VIPIH-Lower-C.../dp/B0DQV1F39F

But there is also the Grand Orange brand ($75): https://www.amazon.com/GRAND-ORANGE-...dp/B0G7FC1SMT/

About a $50 difference between the 2.

[discoelk]

I bought one of these off eBay. The first one the seller sent had obvious damage and the second wasn't much better. In addition to the aesthetic defects, the clips don't sit tight in the plastic channels on the back of the part and pop out when attempting to install. I'm still trying to get a refund for this one(two?). The seller is just a Chinese drop shipper and customer service reflects that.

After looking at pictures online of all the other versions, including the ECS one, they all look the same. Does ECS or Amazon have better quality control? Any leads or tips on a decent replacement?

This has become one of those "time to sell this car" parts for me.

[YYZ-M3]

I purchased from Amazon but I'm sure they're all from the same supplier. The quality is average/acceptable in my opinion. And at $300+ for an OEM replacement (assuming they ever produce another batch), I'll live with this at under $100. It pairs nicely with my FUBAR (I mean FUYAO) windshield!

[simon_c]

I purchased from Amazon but I'm sure they're all from the same supplier. The quality is average/acceptable in my opinion. And at $300+ for an OEM replacement (assuming they ever produce another batch), I'll live with this at under $100. It pairs nicely with my FUBAR (I mean FUYAO) windshield!

Which one did you buy off Amazon?

[YYZ-M3]

Which one did you buy off Amazon?

The seller is gone from Amazon now 🤨

[old///MFanatic]

Alright soooooo who's going to 3D scan and print one

I don’t know about you guys but on my E46s the plastic cowl body is fine. It’s just that small strip of rubber incorporated into the cowl that flexes against the glass that wears and cracks. Some people have used some 3M rubber trim to replace just this section. But it looks too bulky for me.

So my question is has anyone come up with a replacement/fix that rubber strip that wears out? And if anyone makes that rubber trim they’d be finding a fix most only need

And yes I know the whole cowl piece is just cosmetic and doesn’t causes leaks to windshield.