[bowlergal]

Finally was told what causes leakage inside my rear doors when it rains heavy or when in a carwash.

My rear door barriers need to be replaced. Is this something major or could a novice do it like myself The door barriers are not expensive but for a dealer to do this they are telling me $300 bucks per door. My vehicle is parked in a garage however, it's difficult traveling in a vehicle because you can't predict the weather. (frustrated)

Has anyone else had their door barriers replaced and is a dealer the preferred place to go?

Would appreciate feedback. thanks

 

[Supercourse]

Has anyone else had their door barriers replaced and is a dealer the preferred place to go?

Experience on here is that dealerships tend to not take the time to do this job properly.

After all, it is not the interesting sort of mechanical work that they trained for.

An auto glass or body shop might be a better place to get this done.

$300 per door sounds excessive - I'd say $150 should be more like it.

Most times, it is the seal that has failed, not the barrier material itself.

The adhesive can be re-worked if care is taken.

But whether DIY or at a shop, as a new barrier costs less than $20, it makes sense to replace it.

The new one still has to be installed carefully or it will leak too.

Here's an earlier post confirming the above, but don't think it is correct in all details:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4609973&postcount=8

And a video of getting the door panel off (front door in this case - rear is even easier):

 

[Frenchx3]

The hardest part of replacing the barriers IMO is removing the door panel. The video link posted above is what I referred to when I did mine. I didn't actually replace the vapor barrier. Mine had separated from the adhesive at the bottom of the door and was allowing water to stream right in. I used black silicone RTV sealant to reattached the vapor barrier to the door in the area where it had pulled away and all is good as new. Total cost was $4 for the RTV and about 1/2 hour.