Removing roof molding trim to fix roof rack port covers (with pics)

arkhi · 06-04-2023, 04:48 PM

Could never find any info on these since with older BMWs, the molding clips tend to break. Well good news! The clips holding the molding is very strong and is not prone to breaking. This also applies to G11 7-series since it's the same clips.

If you're wondering, BMW does not sell the roof rack port covers as a separate part--you'd have to order the whole trim if you want it fixed. Not only that, you would have to have it painted too.

The covers have different dimensions too, so older BMW port covers aren't compatible.

For me, I opted to remove them and just super glue them together. Note that these are PET plastic which makes it really hard to glue.

Below are the pics for your info on how they look like and removal:

View post on imgur.com

===============================================

View post on imgur.com

Viper31 · 06-04-2023, 11:36 PM

Hey Ark, I need the roof rack port covers too for my G30…. I guess the previous owner had a roof rack of some sort installed.

Did you try to find something used first? My local dealer wants over $500 for the new rails and covers, painted!

Ugh!

arkhi · 06-04-2023, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper31

Hey Ark, I need the roof rack port covers too for my G30…. I guess the previous owner had a roof rack of some sort installed.

Did you try to find something used first? My local dealer wants over $500 for the new rails and covers, painted!

Ugh!

I tried searching for just the cover but I couldn't find any on ebay. Junk yard might be something to try but they're color matched, so I didn't bother. Fortunately for me, I still had the covers (they were just broken) so I just glued them together.

It really sucks that BMW doesn't sell these as separate parts.

For you, it might be way cheaper if you order the trim yourself (I believe they come primed) and just have a body shop paint them, or paint them yourself if you're good. I was gonna do that but I figured even if I only end up spending $200-$300, that's still over kill to replace a $10 part.

3D printing might be an option. Maybe that's something I can work on 🤔

Cheap OEM trim:
https://parts.columbiabmw.com/v-2021...rior-trim-roof ($122)

Viper31 · 06-05-2023, 02:48 PM

Yeah, it’s crazy how difficult these four little covers are to replace! IMA look in the online junkyards and try to find a set and have them painted - my local Dealer wants about $530 for two entire roof rails painted and installed - crazy!

NGT2 · 06-05-2023, 02:59 PM

This is one of those frustrating and head scratching details. If you’re going to make them so easy to break, at least make it an easier replacement.

G30M · 06-05-2023, 03:13 PM

do the roof rack port covers not flip and click shut?

NGT2 · 06-05-2023, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g21

do the roof rack port covers not flip and click shut?

Ideally, yes. By design, yes. In practicality, they often break.

G30M · 06-06-2023, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGT2

Ideally, yes. By design, yes. In practicality, they often break.

understood

BlueSander · 03-21-2024, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkhi

I tried searching for just the cover but I couldn't find any on ebay. Junk yard might be something to try but they're color matched, so I didn't bother. Fortunately for me, I still had the covers (they were just broken) so I just glued them together.

It really sucks that BMW doesn't sell these as separate parts.

For you, it might be way cheaper if you order the trim yourself (I believe they come primed) and just have a body shop paint them, or paint them yourself if you're good. I was gonna do that but I figured even if I only end up spending $200-$300, that's still over kill to replace a $10 part.

3D printing might be an option. Maybe that's something I can work on 🤔

Cheap OEM trim:
https://parts.columbiabmw.com/v-2021...rior-trim-roof ($122)

arkhi - I broke 1 on each side. Are the 4 port covers the same? Maybe I can buy a complete molding for one side with 2 port covers to fix mine. Such a pain but it bother me so much having 2 holes on my car

arkhi · 03-22-2024, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSander

arkhi - I broke 1 on each side. Are the 4 port covers the same? Maybe I can buy a complete molding for one side with 2 port covers to fix mine. Such a pain but it bother me so much having 2 holes on my car

Yes they're all the same.

06-04-2023, 04:48 PM	#1
arkhi Private First Class 162 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 21 540i Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Removing roof molding trim to fix roof rack port covers (with pics) Could never find any info on these since with older BMWs, the molding clips tend to break. Well good news! The clips holding the molding is very strong and is not prone to breaking. This also applies to G11 7-series since it's the same clips. If you're wondering, BMW does not sell the roof rack port covers as a separate part--you'd have to order the whole trim if you want it fixed. Not only that, you would have to have it painted too. The covers have different dimensions too, so older BMW port covers aren't compatible. For me, I opted to remove them and just super glue them together. Note that these are PET plastic which makes it really hard to glue. Below are the pics for your info on how they look like and removal: View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com =============================================== View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com
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06-04-2023, 11:36 PM	#2
Viper31 Private 86 Rep 90 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW 540i [0.00]	Hey Ark, I need the roof rack port covers too for my G30…. I guess the previous owner had a roof rack of some sort installed. Did you try to find something used first? My local dealer wants over $500 for the new rails and covers, painted! Ugh!
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06-05-2023, 02:48 PM	#4
Viper31 Private 86 Rep 90 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW 540i [0.00]	Yeah, it’s crazy how difficult these four little covers are to replace! IMA look in the online junkyards and try to find a set and have them painted - my local Dealer wants about $530 for two entire roof rails painted and installed - crazy!
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06-05-2023, 02:59 PM	#5
NGT2 Brigadier General 5554 Rep 4,467 Posts Drives: BMW M550i xDrive (2020) Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: West TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M550i xDrive [9.00]	This is one of those frustrating and head scratching details. If you’re going to make them so easy to break, at least make it an easier replacement. __________________ 2020 M550i xDrive (Champagne Quartz/Black) 2021 X7 40i M-Sport (Arctic Gray/Tartufo) RETIRED: 2018 540i Luxury Line (Dark Graphite/Canberra Beige)
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06-05-2023, 03:13 PM	#6
G30M Brigadier General 3730 Rep 4,084 Posts Drives: BMW M550i; Kia EV6 GT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Australasia iTrader: (0)	do the roof rack port covers not flip and click shut?
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