Convertible Rear Glass

[GuamX1]

I just want to share what I did to my 2008 128i convertible rear glass. I tried to call the glass shops and they would not touch it. The dealer would like to replace the top. So after searching and reading what to do I decided to take on this. It is not perfect but I am pretty happy with the results and it only cost me $60 in materials.

materials:

3M 08609
Blue painters tape
Duct tape
Goo gone
latex gloves
razor blade
glass cleaner
paper towel

here are pictures of before.









1. Clean the inside of the canvass and the glass with glass cleaner. This has to be clean very clean.

2. put a blanket, pillow on the inside to push the glass out and align with the canvass.

3. Then use the painters tape and tape around the glass and the canvass top. try to be as close to the edge of the top an the glass where they would meet



4. remove whatever you placed on the inside to drop the glass and have that gap.





5. Now put the 3M windo weld into a caulking gun and cut off the tip to a diameter in between 1/4" and 1/2". Then start caulking in out side of the blue tape towards the edge of the glass.

6. After placing a bead of the 3M on the glass. Put back the stuffing you used on the inside to push the glass back out . Now press the edge of the canvass top and use duct tape to press down.



7. After a few hours when the glue is hard to the touch remove the tape and cut the excess with a sharp razor blade. be very careful because you might cut the fabric. Take your time. Clean the tape residue from the canvass and glass with goo-gone.





Not perfect but not too bad.

[Fantastipotamus]

Looks good.. As long as it doesn't rattle and keeps the water out!

I bought a 2008 135i with a similar window issue. I was planning to basically do what you'd done, but I ended up finding a local shop that specializes in convertible tops (and glass and stuff). They basically did exactly what you did for around $250.

[GuamX1]

Originally Posted by Fantastipotamus

Looks good.. As long as it doesn't rattle and keeps the water out!

I bought a 2008 135i with a similar window issue. I was planning to basically do what you'd done, but I ended up finding a local shop that specializes in convertible tops (and glass and stuff). They basically did exactly what you did for around $250.

I know mine was not that hard, and it does not rattle and leak

[muddtt]

nice job. crossing my fingers I never have to do that. Any thoughts on why it might have happened to you?

[GuamX1]

Originally Posted by muddtt

nice job. crossing my fingers I never have to do that. Any thoughts on why it might have happened to you?

I guess its just one of the inherent problems with this series BMW, just like the bubbling dashboard...etc.

[germ]

From my experience with an AudiTT, which uses the same crappy method of glueing the glass, trying to re-glue it will fix it only temporarily. It will come back. Sooner than you think.

What can I say? It is acceptable for German high-end manufacturers such as Audi and BMW that the lifetime of a convertible top is only a few years? They don't build them as they used to, unfortunately.

IMHO you should be prepared to either replace the top or sell the car. I did the latter with my TT. My 2008 135i still shows not sign of this problem, probably due to the mild CA climate.

[GuamX1]

I have been asking to sell this car but my wife does not like too...., So I'll try to put up with this car as long as I have too. Aside form these kind of things it is a good solid car