Windscreen replacement?

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paultv
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Sun Jul 28, 2024 1:03 pm

I'm in the UK for a week with my Cabbi, needs a new windscreen, any recommendations for a clean replacement without stuffing up the matt black trim and clip?

Paul :-)
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.

BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:

https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
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flybynite
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Sun Jul 28, 2024 2:11 pm

Putting a rubber mounted screen in is a lost art these days of bonded windscreens, some window fitters have never seen one.

There's a lot out there that says put the rubber in first then work the rubber round the glass from the bottom. Personally I have see that trash the rubbers and chip the windscreens. I prefer to put the rubber round the screen and use a thick string/thin rope tied around the lot that flips the rubber over the car lip as you pull the string.

Get the proper tools, especially for the locking strip, :thumb:
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BenHar
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Sun Jul 28, 2024 5:10 pm

Make sure you get the cabriolet screen wit the fitting for the mirror.

Ben
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paultv
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Sun Jul 28, 2024 5:33 pm

Good call Ben, s'pose I might do it nyself, but it's thru the insurance so thought it would be easiest to visit one of the big companies, but I'm also aware that the car is old and they could easily stuff it up with a young fitter with no experience, no offence to skilled young fitters!

Paul :-)
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.

BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:

https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
twenty
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Sun Jul 28, 2024 9:06 pm

Also insist on OE glass. BMW still sells the windscreens for the E30.
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fixedwheelnut
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Mon Jul 29, 2024 9:20 pm

flybynite wrote:
Sun Jul 28, 2024 2:11 pm
Putting a rubber mounted screen in is a lost art these days of bonded windscreens, some window fitters have never seen one.

There's a lot out there that says put the rubber in first then work the rubber round the glass from the bottom. Personally I have see that trash the rubbers and chip the windscreens. I prefer to put the rubber round the screen and use a thick string/thin rope tied around the lot that flips the rubber over the car lip as you pull the string.

Get the proper tools, especially for the locking strip, :thumb:
E30 screen rubbers are a bit too tight for the string method, best to :
1/ remove the trim insert first.
2/ using a plastic trim tool push the outer bit of the rubber under the windscreen bit by bit.
3/ remove the glass.
4/ I always remove the rubber and inspect for rust or possible leaks
5/ Refit the rubber and fit the new screen, slot it into the centre lower rubber first and hook it back in with the trim tool. REMEMBER TO SLIDE THE CENTRE JOIN PIECE ON ONE END FIRST.
6/ use plenty of fairy liquid and water mix to lube the rubber and refit the trim using a special tool like the one below on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1

7/ slide the centre join piece back over to join the trim.
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flybynite
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Tue Jul 30, 2024 1:34 pm

fixedwheelnut wrote:
Mon Jul 29, 2024 9:20 pm
E30 screen rubbers are a bit too tight for the string method,
6/ use plenty of fairy liquid and water mix to lube the rubber and refit the trim using a special tool like the one below on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1
That's strange, put 2 fronts and one rear in my chromie with a string, that was after watching someone trash the edge of the rubber forcing it round the glass. Rubbers might have got tighter or facelift openings smaller I guess but if its tight either way will be hard. Only thing with the string method is you need to be careful with the headliner :thumb:
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