i have an X5 4.6is 2003 with a cracked top windshield trim that needed replacing. the BMW part is cheap but i found out that you cannot replace the BMW trim without removing the windshield first and this process could easily crack your windscreen which would be thousands to repair.

i ignored the advice and tried to remove the trim myself, to find that the aluminium C channel does not come out easily and i ended up cracking the edge of my windscreen. not smart.

finally i took it to a local windshield specialist and they said if you want the oem bmw trim replaced, you are looking at 3 hours labour and the windshield may break whilst removing and also would be at risk for breaking in the future.

instead he offered a great solution. he installed a non-bmw seal without an aluminium channel, which just pops in. no need to remove the windscreen. the process took 30 minutes with a total charge of $40 labour and $40 for the windshield seal.

i am very particular about oem bmw parts and wanted the exact same look as the original. the new seal is almost identical and looks and performs better than the original.

he said the X5 seals become brittle and crack in the australian sun and he has done many of these replacements for dealers who want to replace an cracked seal without having to remove and possibly replace the windshield.

i feel very lucky to have found the perfect solution to a potential nightmare.
i strongly suggest taking it to a local windshield expert for a simple seal replacement, rather than going to the trouble, expense and risk of replacing the oem bmw seal and windshield.