Working on the NEW 2004 BMW 5 Series

January 14, 2004

The door panels looks really tricky but I think I figured it out. Also the rear window looks pretty easy to tint but I know it would be similar to the newer 7 series with the electronics in the trunk. Sure enough I pulled back the panel and saw a bunch of electronics on the driver's side trunk.

My guess is to stuff a big towel there to collect any solution that drips down there but should actually keep a towel there for at least 2 days because there will be excess water that is still trapped on the rear deck lid and might not drip down unless you are making a turn.

From what I gather, the rear door panels are held together by 2 screws and clips. Pop off all the clips around the door after removing the screws and you are suppose to be able to lift the door panel right up. After you take the panel off, you need to remove this plastic clip off the door panel by depressing the metal tab. Stick that plastic clip back onto the door and when you are ready to reinstall the door panel, just slip the top on the door panel ledge and push the panel right back onto the door. Everything will lock back in and click together.

Do not try to remove the wooden trim like the older models because they do not come off. If the car comes with the factory screen, you will need to get a hook tool to stick into the top corner and lift the metal tab up a little in order to pull that screen off between the rollup and the quarter glass.

I hope I didn't miss anything. It is always a challenge to work on a new car and with cars that costs around $60K and owners that are very meticulous, I hope this info helps everyone out so they don't cause any damage while their car is being tinted. Good luck and pm me if you need further assistance.

oldtinter · January 14, 2004

If it needs that long an explanation, the price just went up. :evileye

Protint · January 14, 2004

Porcupines :evileye

January 14, 2004

If it needs that long an explanation, the price just went up.

:ot

January 14, 2004

:tts when he said... :ot and also

Porcupines

:protint

January 14, 2004

I already know that my price just went up around $60-$80 for this newer model. If they want it done right, they are going to have to pay the price. They can bring it to those hack shops if they'd like and see what happens when they tint the car and get the electronics wet. That one car will probably put them out of business if the dealer finds out that it was caused by the water from tinting the back glass and refuse to warranty it for the thrifty owner. :evileye

January 21, 2004

Would a vacuum extractor be sufficient enough to suck up the excess water? I have a very powerfull two stage motor in mine.

January 22, 2004

thanks for the heads up!

February 26, 2004

Just tinted a brand new 2004 BMW 760 Li yesterday at BMW of S.F. and boy was I nervous. Another one of those $125K+ cars. :thumb I looked at the door panels and with the built in motorized factory screens, I decided that I was not about to attempt to remove those panels. Lucky for me, I was able to tape them up and get the film in with very minimal contamination from the loose felt. Maybe a small speck here and there which I was able to make disappear.

The rear window was not too hard and there is enough room to get the film over the 3rd brake light. I made sure by removing the inside panels of the trunk to throw towels over the electronics. Definitely don't want any soap solution getting those things wet.

What I did differently while tinting the back glass was to squeegee the majority of the water upwards and catch it with a towel. This way it minimizes the amount of water that gets down into the rear deck and possibly into the electronics. I also squeegeed the bottom portion towards the left side, which is the right side of the car, so further decrease the chance of electrical shortage.

It was a success. The job looked great and I will post some pictures when I get a chance. This ride is sick! The owner put 22" wheels on it but somehow I didn't think it looked right. Kind of took away a little of the executive car look if you know what I mean.

August 1, 2004

Got a question for Litespeeds.

I know this is an old thread, and I'm sorry if anyone's offended, but there's something I have to know concerning the BMW 5 series because this is a very perplexing car for me, and I either want to do the job right or I don't want to do it at all.

The dealership's mechanic and salesmen told me that on this car the panels can't be pulled because of the airbag units inside the doors (545i) but it seems that you can't tint this thing unless you get that bottom seal off. Are the airbags and panels one unit? Is it true what they're telling me? If so, then I don't dare pull them.

No. 2: If this is the case, then how can I install the film without contamination messing up the job? That bottom seal wreaks havoc big time, can't get the film installed in a prompt manner because of that seal and contamination messes up the work.

At this point, I'm gonna swallow my pride and give this one up to an experienced tinter. I can't in good conscience do a hack job on this guy's car, and I don't want to be a hack tinter. I guess I need far more experience than I have now, and I'm not gonna touch these cars until then. I want to do a professional job on this car, and as much as I want to, it doesn't seem that I can. And I don't want to give this guy's car back to him looking like crap. No friggin' way!