I have a '95 540ia with some rust causing the lower door mouldings to push out. I've seen the website indicating that this is a reasonably easy repair, so I was hoping to fix it this spring, but I'm trying to find the right mouldings.

Mine has the M tech side skirts and I can't find any aftermarket suppliers. The dealer wants $120 each (+ paint). Anybody know of a supplier? Can you get them pre-painted?

I have asked around because I need a complete set of lower door moldings. I've asked around local shops, junk yard, and online BMW websites and everyone is telling me that those are a dealer only item.

If you are indeed having rust issues developing behind the lower door trim, then getting rid of rust is never an easy thing. You cant just sand it down and repaint over it. The only way to get rid of the rust would be to replace the entire door or cut the metal out, weld new metal, body work and new paint.

Why are you getting rid of your door moldings anyways?

BavAuto has these and I remember they were not too bad on price, about $40-50 each I think (for the MTech ones, the basic mouldings are practically free =P). But on this topic, where did you see a website indicating that this is a reasonably easy repair? I have been to a few body shops around here and the best quote I got for a repair from a decent looking shop was $200 per door, along with a warning that they would do the repair but that, without actually cutting out all the metal and welding in new stuff, the rust could come back 'in as much as 5 years, or as little as 3 months' :eek:

Rust is the ultimate killer. I can't imagine any malady other than a Nikasil failure or maybe complete transmission implosion that's more terminal :(

Thanks Traian, I'll have to check with Bavauto. Their website lists the standard door mouldings for for both My 540i and the '93 M5 at $25each. Maybe they have the right moulding if I talk to them directly. I assume that the '93 M5 had the same M-tech side skirts and mouldings that my '95 would have.

the best quote I got for a repair from a decent looking shop was $200 per door, along with a warning that they would do the repair but that, without actually cutting out all the metal and welding in new stuff, the rust could come back 'in as much as 5 years, or as little as 3 months' :eek: Rust is the ultimate killer. I can't imagine any malady other than a Nikasil failure or maybe complete transmission implosion that's more terminal :(

IMHO - having done more than a few restorations, you can fix rust without cutting it all out and it will last as long as the car. Get a good body shop that addresses the cause of the rust first, then grinds it off (inside and out) to bare metal and repairs from that point. It's not nearly as tough, or as bad as some would make it out to be.

BavAuto has these and I remember they were not too bad on price, about $40-50 each I think (for the MTech ones, the basic mouldings are practically free =P). But on this topic, where did you see a website indicating that this is a reasonably easy repair? I have been to a few body shops around here and the best quote I got for a repair from a decent looking shop was $200 per door, along with a warning that they would do the repair but that, without actually cutting out all the metal and welding in new stuff, the rust could come back 'in as much as 5 years, or as little as 3 months' :eek:

Rust is the ultimate killer. I can't imagine any malady other than a Nikasil failure or maybe complete transmission implosion that's more terminal :(

Thanks Traian, I checked with BavAuto and they do have the M-Tech Door Mouldings available. They are a special order so they are not listed in their on-line catalogue, $62 Front doors, $71 Rear doors.

As for the rust I am planning to use some rust remover/sealer products from the Eastwood Company. They supply products for hobbyists and Pros that are doing major auto restoration projects. It will probably be a late spring early summer project, but I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks Traian, I checked with BavAuto and they do have the M-Tech Door Mouldings available. They are a special order so they are not listed in their on-line catalogue, $62 Front doors, $71 Rear doors.

As for the rust I am planning to use some rust remover/sealer products from the Eastwood Company. They supply products for hobbyists and Pros that are doing major auto restoration projects. It will probably be a late spring early summer project, but I'll let you know how it turns out.

Is that $62 for both front doors and $71 for both rear boors??

Is that $62 for both front doors and $71 for both rear boors??
No, sorry $62each front and $71 each rear.

BMA is the place, here's the part #'s:

Front fender left - 51 13 1 944 941 approx. $8.00 each
" fender right - 51 13 1 934 942

Front door left - 51 13 1934 177 approx. $20.00 each
" " Right - 51 13 1 934 178

Rear door left - 51 13 1 934 181 approx. $21.00 each
" " right - 51 13 1 934 182

Rear quarter panel left - 51 13 1 934 183 approx. $8.00 each
" " " right - 51 13 1 934 184

Grommet's that snap into car - 51 13 1 934 160 - approx. .30 each

Clamps for trim - 51 13 1 946 258 - approx .20 each

Whatever you do, make sure you get plenty of clips and grommit's, you'll see what I mean when you take off your old ones.

I bought mine back in '03, so the prices I'm sure are a little more now.

BMA is the place, here's the part #'s:

Front fender left - 51 13 1 944 941 approx. $8.00 each
" fender right - 51 13 1 934 942

Front door left - 51 13 1934 177 approx. $20.00 each
" " Right - 51 13 1 934 178

Rear door left - 51 13 1 934 181 approx. $21.00 each
" " right - 51 13 1 934 182

Rear quarter panel left - 51 13 1 934 183 approx. $8.00 each
" " " right - 51 13 1 934 184

Grommet's that snap into car - 51 13 1 934 160 - approx. .30 each

Clamps for trim - 51 13 1 946 258 - approx .20 each

Whatever you do, make sure you get plenty of clips and grommit's, you'll see what I mean when you take off your old ones.

I bought mine back in '03, so the prices I'm sure are a little more now.

Going by those prices it sounds like those are for the non M-tech moldings (ie rubber not plastic)

Going by those prices it sounds like those are for the non M-tech moldings (ie rubber not plastic)

Oh crap, sorry, I just realized I put the moulding #'s for the oneson the doors, not the lower ones, sorry again. :banghead:
I'll try to find the lower ones, I bought those too back then.