Glass rubber cover, windshield & rear window (E39)

I've notice on my 2001 530i that the rubber COVER around the windshield is drying out and has cracks perpendicular to the windshield. Near as I can tell, it does not leak.

Also, the rubber gasket/seal around the rear window is looking about the same. In fact, the two upper corners have pretty much dried out and cracked off.

Yeah, I know pics would help but I'll get those up later.

How is everyone elses holding up? Any cracking at all? Hmm, I wonder if I have any recourse with BMWNA...most likely not but there is no way these should be failing on a 5-year old car with under 70k on it, IMO.

I have the same problem however i fear who and how replacing them to look new and still function. Ive hear stories of replacements where paint is lifted, and/or scratched beneathe the rubber just so they can get the old seal out

funny you should post this. i just had my windshield replaced this morning for $270. it was pitted and i just couldn't deal with it anymore. it was replaced by PPG glass and when they did the seal, it was a thick coating around and not some wimpy thin strip. great place if anyone in north jersey is looking for a shop. they are located on Englewood. all the dealers use him and i've seen a few ferrari's there too.

Originally Posted by chivas

funny you should post this. i just had my windshield replaced this morning for $270. it was pitted and i just couldn't deal with it anymore. it was replaced by PPG glass and when they did the seal, it was a thick coating around and not some wimpy thin strip. great place if anyone in north jersey is looking for a shop. they are located on Englewood. all the dealers use him and i've seen a few ferrari's there too.

I don't understand how you was able to get a new windshield for $270. It sure wasn't a BMW glass.If you would have noticed when the glass came it already had the rubber seal mounted on it,the glass sets in a grouve in the rubber and it is then mounted on the silicone that the installer placed on the body.Even though the outside rubber cracks and chips out it shouldn't leak. I recently had my windshield replaced through the insurance co and don't know how much it cost, I suspect $800 or so. TCAR

I'm noticing some cracking on my '00, but can't recall if my '97 had the same issues.

I just had my mouldings replaced front and rear, had local auto glass co do it and replace front windshield with new glass at same time, sure can see better at night now, the moulding can be replaced without removing glass but it is hard to do and you will probably scratch the paint, and it will be very hard to get them straight

Yeah, same thing with my '99 528i. Chintzy rubber moulding around windshield is totally cracking all around. So bad that chunks fall out upon wiping after a wash. Need to replace ASAP. Maybe the pitted windshield will go, too. You'd swear this car is 20 years old!

If you live in a very hot climate, you will having this problem.

Originally Posted by harvoh126

If you live in a very hot climate, you will having this problem.

such as any place south of Ottawa.

Originally Posted by Carbo3D

Yeah, same thing with my '99 528i. Chintzy rubber moulding around windshield is totally cracking all around. So bad that chunks fall out upon wiping after a wash. Need to replace ASAP. Maybe the pitted windshield will go, too. You'd swear this car is 20 years old!

Yep, that is precisely how mine looks...looks to be 20 years old! Has anyone tried anything with BMW about this? Perhaps we should all start calling them and complaining. Maybe we can get something done a la the pixel problems!

Mine is terrible... the BMW store in cincy said there was a recall on the strips, but mine didnt qualify.. I really wish I wouldve have it taken care right when I got mine.. Mine has completely chipped away.. looks horrible... Ive been quoted tons of off the wall prices to repair.. none anywhere near 270.00 or 300.00!

if we could still get something done SIGN ME UP!! ill do whateve to have this problem fixed... my weather stripping in the doors are all dried out too.. need that fixed bad..

Please post in here if your car is suffering from the problems as stated. Be sure to look at the pictures posted, too.

my car, 02 540i Msport has dried out rubbers too, front and back. Not as bad as pictures, but just starting. My climate is So Cal type, hot and dry. All 540's I saw before buying mine had same problem. Sucks. I am going to try to stop them getting worse with "Gummi-Pflege", not sure if the URL works, but: http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...50&itemquant=1

Again, as with Pixel problem, my car new is over 100K here, and it's not acceptable that it has this type of problem. Keep waxes and solvents off the rubbers, park in shade, should help.

Mine has same problem. I may get the windshield replaced though. After other fixes, like the rear window regulators.

Originally Posted by Carbo3D

Yeah, same thing with my '99 528i. Chintzy rubber moulding around windshield is totally cracking all around. So bad that chunks fall out upon wiping after a wash. Need to replace ASAP. Maybe the pitted windshield will go, too. You'd swear this car is 20 years old!

Exact same happening to my 1999 540i. Especially falling off in chunks. I had a 1972 Volvo 142 that I was driving in 1996 that had better moulding.

Anybody know of a good place in Virginia Beach to fix this?

I think any competent auto glass shop can handle it pretty easy. Just bring in your own parts.

I just had mine replaced and it was a 2004 Z4. My friend has a 1999 Chevy and it still looks new. I can believe BMW can't come up with a formula that works as good as a Chevy!! I DID get a good repair price. $250.00.

so i can just replace the front windshield with rubber seals from any of those glass companies that go to your house?

I have the same situation with my 2000 528IT and was told the rubber cannot be replaced without breaking the glass and I'm not in need of a new windshield at this time so here's what I did. I masked the glass and the paint leaving only the rubber exposed,took some silicone black adhesive sealant and covered it.You need to work fast and smooth it out and you can end up with a good looking job.I think you can get good results from black silicone window caulk.I'm satisfied with mine.I am also dissappointed with BMWs rubber and plastic. Good luck, tcar

Very helpfull I will try this

Originally Posted by tcar

I have the same situation with my 2000 528IT and was told the rubber cannot be replaced without breaking the glass and I'm not in need of a new windshield at this time so here's what I did. I masked the glass and the paint leaving only the rubber exposed,took some silicone black adhesive sealant and covered it.You need to work fast and smooth it out and you can end up with a good looking job.I think you can get good results from black silicone window caulk.I'm satisfied with mine.I am also dissappointed with BMWs rubber and plastic. Good luck, tcar

I did the same thing with my '97 528i and the black silicone. Taking the time to mask it off well, and having water and towels to smooth it out quickly are important. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than it was with the rubber chunks falling off.

Originally Posted by hamgam11

I did the same thing with my '97 528i and the black silicone. Taking the time to mask it off well, and having water and towels to smooth it out quickly are important. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than it was with the rubber chunks falling off.

That would take longer and be more of a pain than doing it right. The trim cost less than $50 and can be replaced in an hour or so.

I went car shopping with my dad before he bought me my 528, and almost every 5er we looked at, 528, 540, 530, almost every single one had a cracked seal like this.

Folks, we need to have this issue addressed. Be sure to click on my small photos above to enjoy the full-size photos of those cracks and missing chunks. No excuse for vehicles that are 4, 5, 6 years old. This should never be an issue, not even if this were a first year production vehicle. My 10-year old Nissan Altima didn't so much as have a hairline crack around the windshield moulding when I sold it....and that car was exposed to the exact same environment as my cracky '99 528i. This is NOT consistent with a manufacturer that prides itself on quality and craftsmanship, is it?

I've sent off an email to Leonora.Vlaovich@bmwna.com asking if there is any BMWNA repair/replacement program in place for issues such as this. I explained that I'm afraid if more chunks start to fall out the windshield may become unstable. I suggest all others join in the inquiry.

Originally Posted by Carbo3D

Folks, we need to have this issue addressed. Be sure to click on my small photos above to enjoy the full-size photos of those cracks and missing chunks. No excuse for vehicles that are 4, 5, 6 years old. This should never be an issue, not even if this were a first year production vehicle. My 10-year old Nissan Altima didn't so much as have a hairline crack around the windshield moulding when I sold it....and that car was exposed to the exact same environment as my cracky '99 528i. This is NOT consistent with a manufacturer that prides itself on quality and craftsmanship, is it?

I've sent off an email to Leonora.Vlaovich@bmwna.com asking if there is any BMWNA repair/replacement program in place for issues such as this. I explained that I'm afraid if more chunks start to fall out the windshield may become unstable. I suggest all others join in the inquiry.

You ever hear back from Leonora?