Is window guide felt available?

[Theotherotter]

I'm referring to the felted material in the window channels at the upper trim. I figure it probably is available, but I can't find it because I don't know what it's called and I haven't found a diagram that gives me a part number. The felt on the forward edge of my RF window is sagging and I'd like to replace it when I take the door trim off to diagnose the inop power window.

[vinceg101]

Short answer: Yes
Admittedly they're not located in a very intuitive part diagram (all E28's are the same):
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=51_1492

They are available but not cheap; best price is through Schiedmann in Denmark:
https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E28/ ... 721904327#

There are only two part #'s but are matched front & rear diagonally (in case you can't figure out what they're showing in that diagram) so you need two if each part # to make a whole set.

[Aldo525]

As I understand it, it refers to the glass guides...so those pieces are:

FL: 51321889787
FR: 51321889788
RL: 51341889007
RR: 51341889008

Picture as reference on front guides

[Theotherotter]

Thank you! Yes, that's the part I mean. My car is an E12 but since the apertures and glass are the same, I'm assuming I can use an E28 part. That is an eye-watering price, though. At that price, I think I'll first try to carefully glue the loose bit (it's only about 8" on the A-pillar side) back in place.

[Blue Shadow]

New window guides are worth the time and money. They last for a couple decades at least and if you do the fronts first you learn a bit about how to install them.

[vinceg101]

Short answer: Yes

That is the door opening felt, not the window guides.

Ah, you all are correct, misread that (I've been dealing with those door trims lately and that was where my mind went).

[vinceg101]

Thank you! Yes, that's the part I mean. My car is an E12 but since the apertures and glass are the same, I'm assuming I can use an E28 part. That is an eye-watering price, though. At that price, I think I'll first try to carefully glue the loose bit (it's only about 8" on the A-pillar side) back in place.

My mistake: I cited the door pieces, not the window guides.
See Aldo's post above for the correct item (albeit and E28 version, but they will be in the corresponding part diagram for an E12).

[Aldo525]

Thank you! Yes, that's the part I mean. My car is an E12 but since the apertures and glass are the same, I'm assuming I can use an E28 part. That is an eye-watering price, though. At that price, I think I'll first try to carefully glue the loose bit (it's only about 8" on the A-pillar side) back in place.

My mistake: I cited the door pieces, not the window guides.
See Aldo's post above for the correct item (albeit and E28 version, but they will be in the corresponding part diagram for an E12).

As per RealOem, e12 are different to e28....and e12 have different numbers according the model and year. Your e12 is..????

[Theotherotter]

My E12 is a ‘78. Let’s see if I can attach a photo successfully:


Edit: I still don’t know what Im doing wrong. I use the image tag, upload a photo and insert the html link.

https://imgur.com/a/Kp1H6jk

[vinceg101]

Are you using RealOEM.com? If so, you can plug in the last 7 digits of the VIN and get the correct parts listed.

[John in VA]

My E12 is a ‘78. Let’s see if I can attach a photo successfully:


Edit: I still don’t know what Im doing wrong. I use the image tag, upload a photo and insert the html link.

https://imgur.com/a/Kp1H6jk

You need to produce a URL for your photo:

[Theotherotter]

Thanks Aldo for the parts diagram and numbers, and Vince for the RealOEM reminder. (And John for the URL help - I think I figured i out now). Left front window felt is available and not outrageously priced, but right front isn’t. Surely an E28 felt would work? That part number is available for the right front window (I used an ‘83 533i for lookup: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 321889788/)

[Aldo525]

Thanks Aldo for the parts diagram and numbers, and Vince for the RealOEM reminder. (And John for the URL help - I think I figured i out now). Left front window felt is available and not outrageously priced, but right front isn’t. Surely an E28 felt would work? That part number is available for the right front window (I used an ‘83 533i for lookup: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 321889788/)

In my opinion, maybe the e28 felt guide could be "satisfactory and usable" but they are not the same shape....so I'll try to find the right part to mantain originality (as possible if you like of course)

Seeing RealOem and your picture, the part should be: 51321867897....#1 in the picture and it is still available because left and right are the same

[Aldo525]

At ECS Tuning:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 321867897/

At FCP Euro

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-le ... 1321867897

[Theotherotter]

Ajá, I didn't take for granted that they molding was symmetrical and that the parts would therefore be interchangeable. Good to know they are!

[Aldo525]

At ECS Tuning:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 321867897/

At FCP Euro

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-le ... 1321867897

And more specific: left and right felt guides are the same and originally was two pieces 1 and 2 (see diagram). Later on was replaced by "One piece #3 with some difference between left and right. However, "1" is the same both sides and it is still available in Miami at eBay (Send a message to Bruna, she sells to me before, great person)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115069810118

[Mike W.]

For E12s apparently there is another option. From First Five. Never used it myself. Don't know how it will or won't fit E28s.

https://www.firstfives.org/winchan.html

[vinceg101]

At ECS Tuning:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 321867897/

At FCP Euro

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-le ... 1321867897

Better pricing from Scheidmann: $65 vs. $92. Shipping costs are comparable (unless the domestics are giving you free shipping), as well as shipping times.
https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E12/ ... 321867897#

Even better pricing from www.getbmwparts.com (BMW of Silver Springs, MD):
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-parts/b ... 1321867897

[John in VA]

Even cheaper at BMW of Fairfax (VA). Don't know about their S/H fees:
https://www.bmwoffairfaxparts.com/oem-p ... 1321867897

[maybeillbuyit]

I've just gone through replacing the felted rubber guides on my 77 e12. Early car so no window mounted mirror like e28s. I ordered 2 x 51321867897 as the 898 right side rubber is NLA. They arent the same but I figured Id just cut and reverse the piece . I was a little disappointed when I got the pieces . Not sure what BMW is doing here. The piece was one section moulded with 2 corners like a rear door but too big for a rear. Very odd.
B76CB3A9-BF38-49D3-8464-446E724FDFCB by Dave Grayson, on Flickr
B536C085-0807-4E74-93EA-E8069FB43BA8 by Dave Grayson, on Flickr

So I decide to cut the pieces and install. It turned out ok. There is an extra butt joint in the downward sloping area above the mirror but its not noticeable unless you really look. Its better than it was
Heres what I ordered:
659F99B2-6826-4206-921C-EFF8B0647F90 by Dave Grayson, on Flickr
E355AC3D-4286-45C3-B974-4AEC22FA6257 by Dave Grayson, on Flickr
I purchased from a local dealer here in Vancouver BC. They had no idea why the rubber was obviously the wrong . I had the glass out and just wanted to get it back together.
I also replaced the top one of 2 brushes that are housed inside the bright trim piece at the bottom of the window. The top brush was available but the bottom one I couldn't even find on realoem. The schematic seem to be wrong. The whole window looks a lot better with all new stuff.
4B34D1AB-DEE1-41FC-81B3-5C1C9944205A by Dave Grayson, on Flickr

Gratuitious pic of the car just because.
BE24D12F-8153-4798-A086-AE51669DA9FA_1_105_c by Dave Grayson, on Flickr

[maybeillbuyit]

For E12s apparently there is another option. From First Five. Never used it myself. Don't know how it will or won't fit E28s.

https://www.firstfives.org/winchan.html

I saw that as well Mike but I figured I'd just stay with oem stuff. After all the cutting and messing around maybe this would be a better option. Its cheaper for sure

[Theotherotter]

Thanks for that follow-up post - I appreciate the info, and it does make me lean towards getting the Mopar piece. This will probably get done next spring, though - I’m still in the final phases (I hope) of my water pump telenovela, then I just want to drive it for the rest of the season and save garage time for getting the Saab sold, a couple of things on the 911 and starting on the Fiat.

Great-looking E12, too. Love the colors and the bumpers.

[tig]

See this post for info on an aftermarket alternative that I'm a big fan of:

viewtopic.php?p=1487064#p1487064