E39 windscreen rubber

[Tazar]

As with all of us as we get older things shrivel and perish. My original 25 year old front and rear windscreen rubbers need replacing.
Should I take the car to a BMW dealer and get the jobs done?
Should I take it to a windscreen specialist?
Can they be replaced with the glass in place?

My concerns are cost and damage to the glass.

As always I will be grateful for advice.

[danb79]

Nope; easy DIY

Remove old, clean out channels, refit with new one

Fit top corners first; the rest pushes in

The front is one piece; the rear is 2 pieces on a saloon (bottom part is seaprate)

Stick with OEM BMW ones; not that expensive and they fit perfectly

Pert numbers here: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DT53...

[Pica-Pica]

I fitted a front or rear windscreen rubber trim on my E36, many years ago. I can’t recall if it was front or rear, as it was so easy and quick. Definitely a DIY possibility.

[Glassman]

The correct way to fit them properly is push onto the glass edge before fitting the glass. It's the way they are designed.

Any successful attempts of DIY are an exception to the rule.

[danb79]

Glassman said:

The correct way to fit them properly is push onto the glass edge before fitting the glass. It's the way they are designed.

Any successful attempts of DIY are an exception to the rule.

You've said that before on a similar post

Yet I and a lot of others have said that fitting them with the glass in situ causes no issues and it's an easy DIY job

I get that the proper way is to have the glass removed; but unless someones got money to burn or are in need of a new windscreen and will claim via their insurance; the removal of the old one and fitting of a new one is the only way to sort it

Did it on x4 BMW E39s (x3 saloons inc. x1 1 Jap import), front and rear) and my Jap import touring. None of them had any issues; all of them the seals were fubar and they needed doing. No leaks, no damage etc

[MightyBadger]

That is good to know, my e39 also needs doing. Brittle 25 year old weathered rubber needs to go asap.

[lufbramatt]

Did the front and rear rubbers on mine a couple years ago and they are fine, sit perfectly and no wind noise etc.

Book method is with the glass out but not really anything to lose by having a go.

[danb79]

MightyBadger said:

That is good to know, my e39 also needs doing. Brittle 25 year old weathered rubber needs to go asap.

Yup; they soon fall apart. They were literally non-existent on my Jap import E39s; the heat had killed them

Removal of them is easy; needle nose pliers for the top corners as they've wire in them (IIRC) and then thoroughly hoover out & clean the channels.

I used some fairy liquid in warm water to lube the new seals and popped them in (top corners first, front & rear on saloons) and then with the palm of your hand; knock them in slowly and firmly

The rear bottom one just slides on

[Pica-Pica]

lufbramatt said:

Did the front and rear rubbers on mine a couple years ago and they are fine, sit perfectly and no wind noise etc.

Book method is with the glass out but not really anything to lose by having a go.

Not with stuck in glass. Production and service method is that the trim seal is fitted after the screen is robotically stuck in.