M3 Windshield Installation

[markseven]

Great post. Are the windshields the same for the non-m and m besides the pop in vs glue in? Is the windshield still available from BMW?

M is approx $125 dearer. They are available from BMW:

M: 51311953990

Regular: 51311466363

[krayzkrn]

Great post. Are the windshields the same for the non-m and m besides the pop in vs glue in? Is the windshield still available from BMW?

[IronmanE30]

As Brian said it was BMW glass but actually both holes were plugged with gray soft putty kind of like butyl but not as sticky. The passengers side that rusted did not have as much as the one on the drivers side. I have seen the gray putty used in autobody shops to put between body panels. So, I am not sure why it was there or how it got there. Maybe someone replaced the rubber seal and thought that would help. You are right about being lucky with the rain here in So Cal. The only time this car gets wet is when I wash it and I am leaning toward using a bug sprayer with a "waterless" solution in the future just to keep it as dry as I can.

Cheers,

Jim

[SpecRaceM5]

It was BMW glass. Ironically the drain that was plugged was perfectly fine and the one what wasn't plugged had developed light surface rust. Also I believe he mentioned this already but it was plugged with butyl not the windshield glue. Really odd. After setting the windshield I am not so worried about plugging the holes anymore. You would really have to overdue it on the glue to get it to overcome the rubber seal and get all the way into the hole for the drain.

[reelizmpro]

Pilot...no worries. It's gotta be tough being away from home during the holidays.

Jim, looks like you were smart since you discovered the screen had been changed before and one of the drains were sealed. Was the old windshield original BMW or aftermarket? Good thing we don't live in a very wet climate here in SoCal although it's raining as I type this. You killed two birds with one stone.

[IronmanE30]

Thanks for adding the BMW service manual and your comments Brian, it makes the thread more complete.

Great post, Jim. Very informative.

Thanks Mark!

I wanted to do this same task
Hate the pitting on the windhield
But will try using a glass polish first, since I only have minor pitting, nothing too serious

I tried to use Johnson's Paste Floor Polish and it was about the same outcome as Mark described.

Until I feel more comfortable,I will leave this to the pro's. Great job and great looking car.

Thanks, I would not have taken this on without the help from my son and his friend. The potential for finding rust was what motivated me to take on the job and I got lucky with only finding a little surface rust that I could repair.

Understood. I'm not sure why you took offense to my post. Im just pointing out that Jim is fortunate enough to know people with the right tools and knowledge. It's not like he did it himself with a puttyknife and tube of silicone. I agree with you, its not a job for someone without experience with bonded windshields.

LOL, Puttyknife and tube of silicone. Thanks Barry for your advise prior to doing this. As you saw I used the strap and let it cure for a long time because I was concerned about your experiences with bonded windshields. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me on so many aspects of the E30 M3.

Cheers fellas, maybe all this Afghanistan is winding me tight..15 more days before break.

No worries, be safe and thanks you!

great write up.. i need to do mine as well!

Thank you.

I had picked up an E34 for a daily driver which had a new windshield. I did not really notice how bad the one in the M3 was until I started driving the other car. That started the process of saving the money, searching the internet and talking with my M3 buddies about the process. Information was hard to find so I figured that I should create this thread for the M3 community. Looking back on the work we did it really is not too hard if you have the right tools and help from a couple of friends that know what they are doing.

Cheers,

Jim

[SpecRaceM5]

Cheers fellas, maybe all this Afghanistan is winding me tight..15 more days before break.

Sounds like you are over due for some seat time in your car. Thanks for your work!

[Andyman746]

great write up.. i need to do mine as well!

[pilotskillse30]

Cheers fellas, maybe all this Afghanistan is winding me tight..15 more days before break.

[reelizmpro]

Meaning that I don't feel comfortable doing this MYSELF. So I will leave this to someone else that knows how PRO'S.....Slow down bro..you read to much.

Understood. I'm not sure why you took offense to my post. Im just pointing out that Jim is fortunate enough to know people with the right tools and knowledge. It's not like he did it himself with a puttyknife and tube of silicone. I agree with you, its not a job for someone without experience with bonded windshields.

[SpecRaceM5]

Easy fellas. No offense was taken. I know pilotskillse30 didn't mean anything by it and we appreciate the compliments Barry. It really came down to knowing just enough to get ourselves into trouble. Fortunately everything worked out well but all three of us were sweating bullets.

[pilotskillse30]

Meaning that I don't feel comfortable doing this MYSELF. So I will leave this to someone else that knows how PRO'S.....Slow down bro..you read to much.

[reelizmpro]

Until I feel more comfortable,I will leave this to the pro's. Great job and great looking car.

Well they pretty much are Pro's considering they have all the right tools, and experience with bonding windshields, etc.

[pilotskillse30]

Until I feel more comfortable,I will leave this to the pro's. Great job and great looking car.

[markseven]

I wanted to do this same task
Hate the pitting on the windhield
But will try using a glass polish first, since I only have minor pitting, nothing too serious

I tried the Einszett glass polish on my 325is. It made the situation worse by filling the pits with polish, which is opaque. YMMV though.