Aftermarket E46 M3 windshield cowl

[Gt4]

OEM windshield cowl seems to be NLA, I installed this aftermarket windshield cowl on a friend's M3 and fitment was pretty decent. Good option if yours fall apart!

https://bruceshark.com/products/lower-motor-cowl-cover-windshield-wiper-grille-for-bmw-m3-e46-323i-328i-96-2006?currency=CAD&variant=51684805902700&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=9c135addbacb&pv2=eyJhbGciOiJFUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJjIjoiQ0FEIiwiZXhwIjoxNzYxOTE1NDA3LCJtIjoiMjYzMTAyNDA1IiwibyI6InNob3BpZnlfQ0FfMTQ2MzUyNjY3NjkyNjBfNTE2ODQ4MDU5MDI3MDAiLCJwIjoxMjguMTk5OTk5OTk5OTk5OTl9.XUyhif2ulqhSDyZYxHT3XYYGpgET68UmJRtoKUn2wUXtel_j9HbLnNYV21ocDfnu3hJjdzZaMFy7UBWDMhhl9Q&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20229809012&gbraid=0AAAAAB8bS6BPdN5eO9M3PyfL4sS6LPwC-&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9LKU-7DOkAMV5yzUAR064Rh_EAQYASABEgJLwfD_BwE

[TexaZ3]

So glad I replaced mine with original couple of years ago. Exterior and interior plastics going NLA for E46 is very troubling news.

[Gt4]

So glad I replaced mine with original couple of years ago. Exterior and interior plastics going NLA for E46 is very troubling news.

So true. I did everything on my Estoril M3 before Covid so at 1/2-1/3 prie and now only thing I am missing for my LSB M3 is kidney grills. Can't stand chinese knock off that fall on highway...

[TexaZ3]

So true. I did everything on my Estoril M3 before Covid so at 1/2-1/3 prie and now only thing I am missing for my LSB M3 is kidney grills. Can't stand chinese knock off that fall on highway...

Well, luckily these are still available. At least I think they are? Bought a set about a year ago.

[Gt4]

Well, luckily these are still available. At least I think they are? Bought a set about a year ago.

They are NLA since last winter

[CarbonM3]

I just picked up my M3 a couple weeks ago, and all the trim was dried out/rotting. the cowl and the Side trim around the quarter glass i replaced right away. The cowl was on 6 month back order, so i purchased one off Amazon. Fitment is good from what i can see. the Side trim was spendy but worth it. I also replaced the taillights and upgraded the halogen to Bi-led projector setup based off a few posts on here.

[Dave092]

Have you tried getting ahold of ECS/Turners? Recently there have been a few parts they've been able to get me that the dealer says is wither NLA or on "intergalactic backorder" lol. Recently I tried to source the rear seat sound deadening that goes between the fuel pumps and the seat cushion from a dealer and it was a no go... Called ECS and they had one to me in 3 weeks. Although I haven't actually purchased a windshield cowl, I inquired with them a couple weeks ago and was told they could have one by April 2026. I know thats a ways out but hey at least its not never!

[maw1124]

So glad I replaced mine with original couple of years ago. Exterior and interior plastics going NLA for E46 is very troubling news.

Particularly since they have to be some of the worst exterior plastics I've seen. I have 4 cars built within a year of each other, and this is the only one where that piece went. I replaced it years ago, and the car is garage kept, but something tells me I'll be needing another.

maw

[elrichmeister]

So glad I replaced mine with original couple of years ago. Exterior and interior plastics going NLA for E46 is very troubling news.

First thing i ever bought on FCP Euro was the cowl for my Non-M e46 almost 10 years ago, its been needing replacing should've done it when they were still available lol

[thegenius46m]

I have heard people had some good luck with Amazon cowls, but at the end of the day these are all made in China so I think your results are going to vary either way, but given they're the only option, it's something to consider.

I ordered a couple last year and they all had quality issues with the finish, but it's not something that you couldn't fix with a can of 2K black paint.

With that said a friend of mine hit me up yesterday about this and it's been on my mind, but it's been on the back burner as I've had other priorities to deal with lately.

Curious, if any others have had any luck and care to comment here?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cubieman]

Got a back in stock alert just now.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-windshield-wiper-cowl-e46-51718208483?utm_source=k_trigger&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=Back+In+Stock+Alert&utm_id=XMCQh3&_kx=RP5EYaYkjYsac_b5tYR5WyPNBldjMH42TRxiLRUSOySB0cDgzaPFs1NC6phWamhf.Rsduzp

[dustyice]

Got a back in stock alert just now.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...phWamhf.Rsduzp

Not all heros wear capes. Thank you! Hopefully it is real and it shows up.

My cheap ebay one is driving me nuts.

[Cubieman]

It would seem this is only for convertible M3's when looking at fitment on FCP, double check realoem to be sure this will work on a coupe.

[dustyice]

Whomp Whomp. Its actually the cowl for the 4 door model. The convertible and coupe share the same cowl.

4 door cowl: 51718208483
2 door coupe/vert: 51718232894

[0-60motorsports]

Whomp Whomp. Its actually the cowl for the 4 door model. The convertible and coupe share the same cowl.

4 door cowl: 51718208483
2 door coupe/vert: 51718232894

Correct, Still Not available.