DIY: Rear Window Trim

**Blanco** · 06-01-2008, 12:49 AM

Rear window trim cracked, broken, or otherwise unbecoming to your E36? Here's how to replace it.

Mine had broken corners.

First, you'll need to heat the rubber up with either a heat gun or your wife/girlfriend's hair drier. I chose option two.

Once it's warm you'll want to get something in there to pry it up and out of the groove. I used a flathead screwdriver. You can put a little tape around it if you want, but it's a tight fit and you won't damage your paint if you're careful.

The sides are a lot easier than the top. With the top I pulled this part off first to get a little working room.

Then you pry that little bastard off of the window, paying very close attention to how it comes off because you'll need to reverse that to put the new one on...I didn't get any pictures of that part.

Once you get all of the old trim out, it's a good idea to do a little cleaning while you're in there. Now you can put the new trim back in, doing the exactly opposite of how it came out. This part is the biggest pain, so make sure you have the trim laid out properly. Once you get the groove onto the window you can start pressing it into place. I used an old toothbrush.

I didn't get any pictures of the sides, but they pretty much go right into place. The key is attention to detail.

The part# on PelicanParts.com is 51-31-1-977-608-M9, $31.25. http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/cata..._pg2.htm#item9

**TuHandy** · 06-01-2008, 01:07 AM

Blanco, great write up,

Does that kit from Pelican come with all four sides and the corner pieces?

Its says in the title that its the Upper section.

51-31-1-977-608-M9

Windshield Moulding Trim Seal, Rear Windshield, Upper Section, E36 325is, 318is, 323is, 328is, M3 B30, M3 B32 2-Door

I need to replace all four corners and trim so I didnt know if this kit came with everything.

**Goon** · 06-01-2008, 05:25 AM

Need to replace teh corners, so If you can answer the above answer, that would be great!

**Nosphoros** · 06-01-2008, 06:01 AM

Nice, I need to do this myself...

**Blanco** · 06-01-2008, 12:45 PM

Thanks guys. Glad it helps.

The rear window seal is two pieces, the bottom and top/sides. So, this replaces the top/sides as a complete unit.

If any of you guys do this, can you get some pictures of reinstallation to add to the DIY?

**Goon** · 06-03-2008, 04:28 AM

So is this a completely different style to the old one?

**Blanco** · 06-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Should be the same.

**sd123** · 06-24-2008, 11:35 PM

do you need to use glue on it or just snap it into place?

**carguy01** · 06-25-2008, 12:33 AM

I'm dealing with some leaks in different locations, but I noticed at the bottom corners of the rear window near the trunk, the seals look a little messed up. I'm not sure if they are part of the side window seals or if they are independent, I'll have to look, but will it be obvious if I have a leak in that type of location? I'd think so because then the trunk would be wet.

Thanks

**Blanco** · 06-25-2008, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by sd123

do you need to use glue on it or just snap it into place?

It just snaps in.

Originally Posted by carguy01

I'm dealing with some leaks in different locations, but I noticed at the bottom corners of the rear window near the trunk, the seals look a little messed up. I'm not sure if they are part of the side window seals or if they are independent, I'll have to look, but will it be obvious if I have a leak in that type of location? I'd think so because then the trunk would be wet.

Thanks

Yeah, anywhere you have a leak you'll have water.

**m2pc** · 01-22-2009, 03:26 AM

Props for a great writeup!

Just did this myself and it went great -- looks so much better than the hard, faded, chipping rubber trim that was in there before!

One thing that helped me: to aid in the removal of the old trim, I gently ran a utility knife along the entire length of the trim, inside the "valley" it forms.
This allowed it to come out in 2 pieces and with much less effort. Twisting while removing it also seemed to help, especially along the top of the car where it was really stuck.

Be prepared for your old trim to be brittle and come off in pieces. Keep working at it and you'll eventually get it all out.

**Blanco** · 01-22-2009, 06:30 AM

Thank you, sir. Great additions, too.

**Performance///M** · 01-22-2009, 07:04 AM

mine is missing that all over the back window I only have a few scraps clinging on for dear life.

**ryanmkincaid** · 01-22-2009, 08:00 AM

Looks like they only have the seal for Coupes.

**FLYINV** · 02-21-2009, 08:09 PM

Great writeup, I did this yesterday and the hairdryer worked a treat.
Interestingly I noticed that the new bottom strip I put on came with some adhesive already in it. I hadn't checked the new top and sides for this but they could have some adhesive pre-applied too.

I found getting off the old top strip was best achived with a twist and pull as well.

Anyway it turned out to be an easier job than I anticipated especially since the dealer who I bought the parts from couldn't believe that I could DIY this job.

**overeasy** · 02-21-2009, 08:18 PM

i just need the corners for all over the car. am i screwed into buying all the trim new?

**Blanco** · 02-21-2009, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by FLYINV

Great writeup, I did this yesterday and the hairdryer worked a treat.
Interestingly I noticed that the new bottom strip I put on came with some adhesive already in it. I hadn't checked the new top and sides for this but they could have some adhesive pre-applied too.

I found getting off the old top strip was best achived with a twist and pull as well.

Anyway it turned out to be an easier job than I anticipated especially since the dealer who I bought the parts from couldn't believe that I could DIY this job.

Way cool. I was surprised at how easy it was, too. I didn't notice any adhesive on mine, but the bottom needs a better seal so that would make sense.

Originally Posted by overeasy

i just need the corners for all over the car. am i screwed into buying all the trim new?

Do you mean how mine was in the first picture? You'll have to buy the entire top piece, because it's all one piece.

**overeasy** · 02-21-2009, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by Blanco

Do you mean how mine was in the first picture? You'll have to buy the entire top piece, because it's all one piece.

Yes. Too bad trim for whole car would be 150$ or something.

**Blanco** · 02-21-2009, 11:16 PM

That's not too bad.

**neptronix** · 02-22-2009, 11:48 AM

yes it is actually not that bad. it's a lot to pay for rubber but it's cheaper than i've seen on other cars.

now we just need a DIY for the coupe windows ( my corners are almost 100% rotted also ), and windshield and we're good as a forum.. hehe.

**m2pc** · 02-22-2009, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by neptronix

yes it is actually not that bad. it's a lot to pay for rubber but it's cheaper than i've seen on other cars.

now we just need a DIY for the coupe windows ( my corners are almost 100% rotted also ), and windshield and we're good as a forum.. hehe.

I aksed my parts dealer about the door trim on my coupe and he said it was like $450 per side or something, or upwards of $700+ at the dealer per side!

**Blanco** · 02-22-2009, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by neptronix

yes it is actually not that bad. it's a lot to pay for rubber but it's cheaper than i've seen on other cars.

now we just need a DIY for the coupe windows ( my corners are almost 100% rotted also ), and windshield and we're good as a forum.. hehe.

Which windows, the rear wing? My mom's car is a coupe and needs most of the trim replaced and I'm going to try to do all of that for her this year...after getting her car repainted.