Window trim cracking

[bloodspatteranalyst]

My window trim on my rear quarter panel for both sides of my car is looking like this. Not only is it cracked, but big chunks are missing and it's not pretty...

http://i.imgur.com/bNDHQot.jpg

Context:

http://i.imgur.com/b8TDJdK.jpg

What is the process for DIYing this. Most DIYs I've found target the outer trim.

All help appreciated.

[Hermes]

It's a huge pain and more importantly expensive ($1600 for all 6 pieces). I think Giya did it recently, he probably could walk you through how it's done

Edit: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=281593

[bloodspatteranalyst]

$1600 for labor, right? Because I can't imagine the rubber trim pieces costing that much.

[Hermes]

No, the trim is $1600. The rubber is not sold separate, you have to buy new gloss black trim with the rubber attached. BMW started doing it this way a while ago and it's stupidly expensive to fix. I haven't done it for either car and they both need it, it's just not a priority to me. Mine is actually worse than yours

FYI, it's because of the gloss black CSL trim. If you had matte black M3 or chrome standard trim it is significantly cheaper

[bloodspatteranalyst]

Is it not simply this piece? And the corresponding right piece? This is chrome i know, but how can the gloss black be THAT much more expensive?

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Window/Trim/ES96034/

That the only part where my trim is cracking. I have no problems with the sunroof trim, or the upper window trims.

[Hermes]

p/n 51367891911 and 51367891912 are the ones you want (appx $100), but the next one that does bad is the back corner. If the bottoms have gone bad the top is not too far behind. SoCal sun destroys them fast. Mine went bad by the time the car was 4 years old (it is now 9)

The next part that goes bad the long piece on top and is $431.93 per side. Personally, I would do them all at once since it's a huge pain to do. Just wait until the top piece starts to go bad and do it all

[bloodspatteranalyst]

Yeah that sounds like a good idea. I'd probably just replace it with M3 matte black trim for the cost savings, and then treat it with 303 protectant every few months.

[Avetiso]

I'm going to bed, but somebody link him Giya's thread. He replaced just the rubber with some rubber he got from somewhere else.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

I posted a link to e46f that shows how you do it. The lower trim on the vent window isn't that expensive (relatively), but new gloss black and old gloss black trim won't match. It's just my OCD kicking in and I don't like it to be that way, so that's why I have waited until I feel like doing it all.

[ELCID86]

I'm going to bed, but somebody link him Giya's thread. He replaced just the rubber with some rubber he got from somewhere else.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Speaking of, where did Giya go (again)?


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Avetiso]

Speaking of, where did Giya go (again)?


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

He's finishing up his last semester. Been pretty busy.

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[ELCID86]

He's finishing up his last semester. Been pretty busy.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Awesome. At least you are in touch. Hope he's back here soon.

/highjack

[jakksfor20]

The lower trim is not too bad to replace. The most difficult part is getting the sticky remnants off from the old stuff. Think it took me about an hour per side when I did my car and then the ZHP coupe.

[WOLFN8TR]

I did both the left and right coupe rear window trim pieces. It's not hard to do just time consuming. Getting the glue off from the old trim is the worst part. What you need to do is disconnect the window arm and prop it open with a towel. Run some blue painters tape along the old trim piece. This will help both protect the car and give you a guide when installing the new trim piece. I have a DIY somewhere. Let me find it and I will post a link.

Here are the two trim pieces you need. Total is approx $130 shipped for both.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/21/e2a4u4es.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/21/nera2asu.jpg

[Stewbie]

Thanks for posting the ECS Tuning info. The B pillar on my driver's door has a scratch in the trim (from a previous owner). Drives me nuts cause I see it every time I get in the car. ECS has a replacement. Not cheap at $125, but it will resolve a nagging issue for me.

[WOLFN8TR]

Welcome...

Here is the Trim DIY's I used.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=281593&highlight=window+trim

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=288667

[Lanister]

Hey guys! Thanks for the warm mentions. I am still alive and very occasionally lurking. Basically, I have learned that I am an addict to my zhp and my zhp family so it has kind of taken a bit of a toll on my school. My last day of classes in July 21st so I'm trying to stay focused on it until then.

bloodspatteranalyst, if you want to learn more about the DYI process, just flip through my project thread (link in my sig). It's all in there. Feel free to ask questions.

[Stewbie]

Here's a DIY for the piece I'm referring too. See post #1 (part 9) and #14 (removal instructions). http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=11544095

[bloodspatteranalyst]

This is all great info. Thanks. I'll probably save this stuff for later after the high priority items are taken care of.

[Hermes]

Here is why I plan on doing it all

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/22/7yse7a7u.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/22/equne8e8.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/22/usegyrez.jpg