Windshield Cowl Replacement

Windmania · 04-23-2020, 08:34 PM

Hello,

I have a 2016 M235 and need to replace the windshield cowl. Has anyone done this themselves?

Thanks

harma24 · 04-24-2020, 04:29 PM

Are you talking about the plastic cowl that spans the width of the car, right below the windshield with the windshield wipers poking through it? It's a fairly easy job and a surprisingly inexpensive part:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nents/GzoSJfw7

https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...le-51717240672

Windmania · 04-24-2020, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harma24

Are you talking about the plastic cowl that spans the width of the car, right below the windshield with the windshield wipers poking through it? It's a fairly easy job and a surprisingly inexpensive part:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nents/GzoSJfw7

https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...le-51717240672

That’s exactly what I’m talking about. I believe it is three parts though.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...17172406722kt/

I can’t find a video of anyone replacing it.

dradernh · 04-24-2020, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmania

I...need to replace the windshield cowl.

What's caused you to need to replace this part?

Windmania · 04-24-2020, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dradernh

What's caused you to need to replace this part?

It has cracked all over the rubber trim.

John in VA · 04-24-2020, 09:17 PM

Seems too early - must be the FL sun. I've had to replace them on the E39 & E46s, but after 15 years.

harma24 · 04-25-2020, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmania

That’s exactly what I’m talking about. I believe it is three parts though.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...17172406722kt/

I can’t find a video of anyone replacing it.

Hmm... No photo available. It might be that the kit includes the two pieces which sit nearly horizontal on the left and right side of the engine bay. Either way, they are all held down by quarter-turn fasteners. The only trick is you need to remove the windshield washer arms to remove the part I referenced. All three parts are very easy to remove/reinstall. Dive into it; you'll figure it out without any trouble I'm sure.

Maynard · 04-25-2020, 10:11 PM

IIRC, windshield wiper removal on these is a little different, b/c of the collision safety features; I think it needs a special puller, may be prone to breaking if just pulled out like a typical one?

harma24 · 04-26-2020, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maynard

IIRC, windshield wiper removal on these is a little different, b/c of the collision safety features; I think it needs a special puller, may be prone to breaking if just pulled out like a typical one?

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ipers/H17buXMM

There is a special tool, but you don't need it. As the warning states, don't bend the arm. You can't just grab the arm and pull it off; you need to get your fingers in around the stud and pull the arm straight up like the special tool does.

Pull off the protective cap, undo the nut and gently slide the wiper arm off.

When you re-install the arms, make sure you have them lined up correctly. There are teeth on the stud, so you can't just randomly install it at any angle. If you install the blades parallel to the cowl, the alignment should be within the correct tolerance. From what I recall, one tooth off was obviously not correct visually without having to measure anything.

Windmania · 04-26-2020, 12:29 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I will be giving it a shot in next couple weeks.

seansurfn2 · 05-03-2020, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmania

Hello,

I have a 2016 M235 and need to replace the windshield cowl. Has anyone done this themselves?

Thanks

yes i have. its really easy

Windmania · 05-03-2020, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seansurfn2

yes i have. its really easy

Hi,

Do you have any advice? Things to watch out for?

Thanks

seansurfn2 · 05-10-2020, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmania

Hi,

Do you have any advice? Things to watch out for?

Thanks

ya just be careful with removing the wipers.. to not let it snap back hitting or potentially cracking the windshield

2Slow2Win · 05-26-2020, 09:35 AM

Wondered about this too. I am in Orlando, but the car is from Davie. Mine looks like total sh$% and needs to be replaced!

MarcoZandrini · 05-26-2020, 11:04 AM

Put a very small bit of anti-seize compound on the wiper shafts.

04-23-2020, 08:34 PM	#1
Windmania New Member 11 Rep 13 Posts Drives: M235 & 228i Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Boca Raton iTrader: (0)	Windshield Cowl Replacement Hello, I have a 2016 M235 and need to replace the windshield cowl. Has anyone done this themselves? Thanks
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04-24-2020, 04:29 PM	#2
harma24 Captain 403 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Glacier Silver Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: 19.5mi NNW of Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M240i [0.00]	Are you talking about the plastic cowl that spans the width of the car, right below the windshield with the windshield wipers poking through it? It's a fairly easy job and a surprisingly inexpensive part: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nents/GzoSJfw7 https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...le-51717240672 __________________ Fun Cars (daily drivers) 2001-2016: 2001 Honda Prelude \| 2016 - present: 2017 M240xi Glacier Silver Coupe Family Cars: 1993-2014: 1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniversary Edition \| 2014-Present: 2014 Honda Odyssey Stable-mate: 2019 - present: 2020 230xi Seaside Blue Convertible Last edited by harma24; 04-24-2020 at 04:54 PM..
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04-24-2020, 09:17 PM	#6
John in VA Colonel 983 Rep 2,193 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	Seems too early - must be the FL sun. I've had to replace them on the E39 & E46s, but after 15 years. __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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04-25-2020, 10:11 PM	#8
Maynard Colonel 3833 Rep 2,870 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	IIRC, windshield wiper removal on these is a little different, b/c of the collision safety features; I think it needs a special puller, may be prone to breaking if just pulled out like a typical one?
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04-26-2020, 12:29 PM	#10
Windmania New Member 11 Rep 13 Posts Drives: M235 & 228i Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Boca Raton iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the advice. I will be giving it a shot in next couple weeks.
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05-26-2020, 09:35 AM	#14
2Slow2Win New Member 0 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 14 m235i Join Date: May 2020 Location: florida iTrader: (0)	Wondered about this too. I am in Orlando, but the car is from Davie. Mine looks like total sh$% and needs to be replaced!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2020, 11:04 AM	#15
MarcoZandrini Major 444 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Put a very small bit of anti-seize compound on the wiper shafts.
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