Bad Weatherstripping... NEED HELP - BMW Forum

mathetas · 08-04-2004, 08:37 PM

I'm fairly new to the BMW forum as I just purchased my '98 323is a few months ago. Incidentally, I have a major problem with my window weatherstripping that seals the window on my driver door. It seems to have developed a rip overnight, and upon rolling the window down and up, about a three to four inch chunk of that rubber from the top corner down is ripped off. I tried the rubber glue thing, and boy was I sorry. It isn't easy trying to unglue yourself from your 3500 pound car. I think the only thing I didn't glue together was the freakin' rubber itself. It didn't even bond it.

Now, I'm trying to gain some insight here. I know I could call up the BMW body shop down the road, or any other body shop for that matter, which would probably have to consult BMW for the weatherstripping anyway, and obviously be out close to 500 bones. BUT, that is why I'm asking for help... for experience.

Surely this has happened to someone else--I hope not, but just in case, ANY prudent advice would be appreciated. Please note that I fear this problem is getting worse daily and growing like a cancer along every piece of that god forsaken rubber strip that is now failing to keep the cockpit from the elements. I am from Kentucky, but I don't particularly enjoy perpetuating the myth that duck tape cures EVERYTHING, including the window of my friggin' BMW. HELP.

Cruzin 323is · 08-04-2004, 08:46 PM

the weather stripping and the door molding are the same piece... if u decide to go through bmw to get another its gunna cost close to $200.... and for instalation would prolly cost more... but its very easy to just rip off and put the new 1 on.. your best bet is to hit up a few local salvage yards and see if they have any around... i've heard that they only come in 1 color so it shouldn't be that hard to match!.

ghettozn · 08-04-2004, 08:51 PM

Try some guerilla glue. What you do is glue it then put duck tape over the strip you glued on. Leave it there for 24 hours, should work. I've glued so many parts in my car that fell offf. :P

thekid · 08-04-2004, 09:13 PM

My passenger side weather striping makes noise... like and air rushing noise but does not leak water, so I am not fixing it. The piece appox cost is $165 last time I checked and it is a pain to put it in from what my mechanic said. So I have been avoiding it more than Britney Spears concert. Until it starts leaking I'm not touching it and have not come across a good fix for it yet. But once it gets worse I'll dish out the approx $250 to have just the one on the front passenger side door put on. Then pray that it doesn't start happening on any other door.

mathetas · 08-05-2004, 05:40 PM

You all speak the truth... I called the local dealerships today and received a quote for the part at $188 and $193 respectively. One dealership was even nice enough to tell me that their "technicians" were knowledgable enough to handle the job--didn't need a body shop. Of course, their technicians move about as fast a pig to a slaughter house @ around $60 per hour.

I haven't tried the guerilla glue. Maybe the problem is more me than the glue! If that crap really does work well, I might need a freakin' guerilla to tear me off my door. I like to never got that stuff off me night before last when I tried to glue it then. Oh well... thanks for all the advice. It looks as if I'll have to bend over at some point on this one.

ghettozn · 08-05-2004, 06:18 PM

But glue fixes everything :{

TheJackal · 08-11-2004, 10:29 AM

I've got a similar problem with my 98 323is. The corner molding/weatherstripping for my windshield and back window has dry rotted and is almost completely gone. It's just the small corner pieces. I know water is getting in there, but haven't been able to find replacement pieces (haven't talked to the dealership yet). Anyone else have this problem and how to fix it? Thanks!

SC325IS · 08-12-2004, 04:23 PM

I'm faced with the same weatherstripping deterioration issue with my 95 325is. I was able to locate the parts on pelicaparts.com and will place an order eventually. They are OEM, special order parts only and will take up to a week before delivery.

Cost wasn't too much of a factor. For example, the strip that runs beneath the rear window and above the top part of the trunk (51318119281) is about $16. The strip that runs around the top and sides of the rear window (51311977608) is about $27. I can't replace this myself (as I don't have the tools nor the expertise) and would have a glass technician come and fix it for me.