How to remove BMW roof trim rails WITHOUT breaking the clips

Just a short video on how to remove the 2 roof trim pieces on BMWs such as the E90, E91, E92 and E93. Probably other BMW models as well. It seems quite common for people to break the clips that hold them on the roof so I found a method that avoids that.
You can get the clips online for about half of what the dealership charges.
Trim clip part #s
2 x Black - 51137077127
4 x White - 51137174700
2 x Blue - 51137174701

[@maddogcustoms9207]

finally, a quick video with only the advice needed. nice and easy. thank you

[@donrogers1000]

Chris, about a year and a half ago I pulled my rails off and it cost me about $75 to replace the clips I broke. I needed to pull my rails off again and remembered seeing your video about 3 months ago. I didnt break any clips this time. Not sure if you have a DIY about this on any of the BMW forums but it would help even more people out if it was. Thanks for taking the time to make this video cause I sure appreciate it.

[@ChrisLiptan]

Done! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@edgardelaney2811]

Hi Chris, It's guys like you that make me love the internet and it's true power. Thank you so much for this clear and succinct video. I would never have dreamed of removing the roof rails before. Thanks for your work in putting this together. Top man!

[@mcharrisproductions]

I have to restore the paint on the roof rails of my E90 & I’m suuuuper glad I came across this video thanks for sharing

[@peterolley7159]

I just have to say thankyou, today I removed my touring rails today just the way you explain and not one clip broken ,infact it came of very easy

[@miroslavtomov8381]

Thank you, Chris. What was shown in the video worked on my E90. Keep up the good work.

[@arkhi13]

Thank you for making this. I got excited watching this, thinking same method will work on a G30. I then realized the trim on the G30 goes all the way to the bottom of the front windshield. That's a LOT of force to overcome by pulling. Great video though, very clear and very helpful!

[@540kel]

did u figure out how to remove the roof rails on the g30?

[@sphothisane]

Damn wish I would’ve watched this video first. Broke nearly all the clips on mine. Thanks for the video.

[@donrogers1000]

Hey Chris thanks for the video. The first time I removed my trim pieces I broke about half the clips and like you said they are 7-8 bucks a piece.

[@ChrisLiptan]

You're welcome! I hope it helped!

[@jaimef2674]

I like that way you did! Im going to cover the roof with vinyl so exactly what I was looking for some one to show me that trick ! Thanks will be useful for me ! Im in Houston, Texas.

[@croalenation5376]

Subscribed, liked! Hands down easiest way to do it this way.. best video

[@alcon04]

Just what I was looking for. Very useful video. Thank you

[@bridesigns207]

Perfect Video! Wrapping a customers roof and this worked perfect. Thank you.

[@nvboatguy]

I realize this is an older post, but my car was purchased from an insurance company that had totalled it- a 07 328xi coupe with a 6speed manual transmission. The car became airborne at some point crashing down bending 3 wheels, all the struts and axles, and sidewall damage on all the tires. The struts came through the fenders when they let loose, and the rear subframe was bent. That said, all of the glass was good, the doors shut nicely and the subframe bolted in without any problems. It is all back together and drives straight down the road. What’s left to do is the roof became unbonded upon landing and has wrinkles in it. Seems to be aluminum(?) and the sunroof opens and closes with no issues. The desert heat is brutal on the roof, and filler probably isn’t an option. When removing the plastic strips, can you tell how the roof is held in place to the roof structure? It seems to be a fairly flimsy aluminum can-like thickness, and I haven’t yet tried to pull the headliner to see where I can get behind it, if I try to straighten it. I’ve looked at the carbon fiber roofs that are lightweight and they seem to be a great option, but they are teaching you how to use your perfect roof to make a mold- not possible for me- and I may not be able to buy one- we’ll see on that. Any hints from your travels on the roof structure? Thx -Steve

[@b20teamunknown]

Wish I would have seen this last night at least my cost on parts was less than retail but still would have rather not broken any. Great video and to the point

[@rykermorrell8628]

Where did you buy the broken ones from. Can’t find them anywhere

[@b20teamunknown]

@rykermorrell8628 I went to BMW

[@nicholascraig1839]

You saved me from breaking all the clips!!! 🐐

[@alvarocaravantes3015]

Congrats man ! works 100%

[@alvarocaravantes3015]

PSD also works in F30

[@thegunshow9112]

U the man. Thank u. Car looks sick btw

[@pdogusmc]

Finally a video where someone doesn't break the trim. I think there's water coming in from that location. Is it safe to apply a sealant. If so, what brand?

[@ChrisLiptan]

I'm not sure to be honest. Sorry about that.

[@Snowkat69]

Great video! Ty. Very much appreciated.

[@williamcarvalho2869]

Thanks Chris! This really helped.

[@m.s.2916]

My guy....just the video I needed

[@theclouds1979]

where can I find the ROOF MOULDING TRIM COVER LID I'm looking everywhere

[@texasstararsenal1840]

thanks. now i need to find a pick tool!

[@Pedrito.Rodriguez]

Amazing, worked like a charm…. Thanks

[@wirraldetailing4598]

Really appreciate you doing this mate, I need to replace 3 of the little covers in the rails so I assume I've got to take the rails out?

[@ChrisLiptan]

I don't recall how the covers were connected but my guess would be underneath which would require removing the trim.

[@wirraldetailing4598]

@@ChrisLiptan They were indeed underneath! Your guide worked perfectly mate. Replaced all 4 of them and with no broken clips 👍👍👌

[@drfm3power]

@@wirraldetailing4598 My covers are not sitting correctly as well and need the clips to hold the covers. Which ones did you get?

[@richardsmith741]

Nice job. Thanks.

[@KoyCarraway]

I can not for the life of me get mine to snap back in. Why would that be? Only the back (black) clip snaps in with easy. I have pressed down with my entire body weight to get the other clips to snap in but 0 luck. You make it look so simple and effortless in your video. What am I doing wrong? All my clips are good. Got brand new ones after breaking a couple when taking them off for painting.

[@ChrisLiptan]

Sorry for missing your comment. I showed how I snapped them back in at 2:59 in the video. Did that not work?

[@TheFrenchPug]

Thank you son. Love that blue! I need to replace the one on my driver's side. Can they be ordered to match the original paint?

[@ChrisLiptan]

From what I could find, it looks like they only come primered.

[@TheFrenchPug]

@@ChrisLiptanThank you. They're rediculously expensive as well for a strip of plastic :(

[@glassjaw02]

Thanks for the video, worked pretty good. Only downside is that my e92 had an extra rubber piece around the edge of the glass, hence making it a tad harder to remove and slide off. Therefore I did break one tab of one of the white clips. If it’s just one of the tab is broke on the white clip (the biggest of the tabs) would I still have to replace the clip? I feel as if the other two tabs would still grab hold. Plus all the other clips are good. What you think? PS Love Pint House!

[@Scott-io8wb]

About to do this on my 320d as the paint seems to be bubbling on the trims, just a question, why slide the rails back to remove but not while installing

[@ChrisLiptan]

The clips seem to go in fine when installing. It's just removing them where everyone has issues with them breaking.

[@dolomitelax]

Any idea where to buy the white and black clips? I noticed they are different, do I have to bite the bullet and just go to the stealership?

[@ChrisLiptan]

I added the part numbers to the description. You can order them online.

[@drfm3power]

Are the clip quantities you listed for both sides or just one side? Looks like there are two blue clips for each side.

[@BP-kc3dj]

Great Job!!!! My M6 Gran Coupe thanks you and I do too. :-)

[@rzcomp]

Hi chris, I opened on of the 4 roof rack flaps in my bmw 520, and I did know hot to close it again, pushing it but it does not ckick! I found many ppl having the same issue. You help is appreciated

[@ChrisLiptan]

I'm not sure the 520. Sorry about that.

[@NicolayLeganger]

THANKS A LOT!

[@zakthackery1470]

thank you so much, you're great

[@opoja92]

Thx. Is it the same for the bmw e60?

[@ChrisLiptan]

The part numbers for the clips don't match the E60 so I'm not sure. Sorry about that.

[@opoja92]

@@ChrisLiptan thank you! Very kind

[@triggahappi2732]

I can’t believe no one else has mentioned this, but he’s missing a piece of rubber trim around the rear glass. If that trim is there like it should be, this method is impossible without removing that whole rubber surround.

[@ChrisLiptan]

My car came like that and I suspect many others are missing that rubber as well since it was pretty dry and brittle around the rest of the window. But you still might be able to pop up the end enough to clear the rubber and then slide it out. Hopefully only breaking one clip at most.

[@hectorespinoza7641]

Bmw themselves told me that each side has only 3 clips one yellow black and blue

[@deivyleon409]

It costs 112 dollars all together at fcp euro for all 16 clips for the both trim pieces

[@hectorespinoza7641]

Where could I find new clips I broke mine 😭😭

[@ChrisLiptan]

Part numbers are in the description. I've found the best prices at getbmwparts.com.

[@novateges]

if you break the clips does the roof still go up and down?

[@ChrisLiptan]

The sunroof? Yeah the clips don't affect the sunroof.

[@DN1987]

By the sounds of it.. im glad I looked it up before I tried and yanked them off mine haha .. god I love KZbin

[@KnockTsuKow]

My man

[@KnockTsuKow]

this this works same as f80 m3 also? about to attempt mines tomorrow lol

[@ChrisLiptan]

The M3 is slightly different. I removed the rails on my M3 without using the technique and the clips didn't break.

[@KnockTsuKow]

@@ChrisLiptan do you have a video on that or recommend one? THX

[@dealerservices3095]

Is it the same with a E82 ?

[@ChrisLiptan]

I've never actually done this on the e82, but the trim piece and clips are identical so I'd have to say yes.

[@9145709902]

Good info, thanks for posting.

[@jimchandler4245]

My God that car is sick

[@ChrisLiptan]

If you like that one, check out my newer videos :)

[@kashf8694]

i call it a back sack rack

[@greatlion2795]

Doesn´t work on E90

[@grovsey3656]

Does the rubber trim around the front and rear windows sit above the end of the trim or below it? Iam replacing my rubber trim

[@jakedickens4771]

thank you!