WTB: Caps for vent window knobs

Dohn

Dohn

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The caps are missing on the knobs that open the front vent windows on my '74 coupe. I see a company called CSI advertising metal ones for $25 each, but wondered if this is a difficult part to find.

Another question from a newbie: I have black fender vents on my black car and would prefer chrome. I've seen the chrome ones listed as plastic, and wondered if that is correct, or someone's cheaper way of recreating the originals.
 
All fender/hood grilles are plastic. CSI, hmmm, give them a try perhaps but they don't have very good customer service in my opinion.
 
The plastic vent window caps can be either all silver or black with a chrome ring. Finding used ones in good to excellent condition are hard to find as they tend to get damaged because people don't know to press them out from the access hole in the back of the knob. There are a couple listed on ebay for stupid money. Wonder if Mike Self has a set of inserts.

The chrome hood and fender vents are plastic. As far as I know the new ones are not shiny chrome like the originals but more a matte silver. Wonder if there is a place near you that has the ability to 'chrome' the plastic. If not you could remove them, sand, prime and spray with chrome paint from an auto parts store.
 
I'll check on local chroming services. Failing that I'll try the paint. If that doesn't work I can buy them for $90 a side, plus $35 shipping, from BMW, but those might have the matte finish you described.

I'll check with Mike on the inserts. The man keeps some parts!
 
Dohn,
i will check when i get home, i may have some spare vent window caps. i just looked at W+N - they have the caps for 12.56 euro each and they look silver - you could ask if they are shiny or matte ... i'm sure Albrecht will tell you ... he was good to reply to some of my questions recently. they also have new vent window knobs for 21 euro each.

https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/veh...-2-5-cs-3-0-csl-e9/catalog-picture-51-22.html
 
https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/veh...-2-5-cs-3-0-csl-e9/catalog-picture-51-22.html[/QUOTE]
rsporsche said:
Dohn,
i will check when i get home, i may have some spare vent window caps. i just looked at W+N - they have the caps for 12.56 euro each and they look silver - you could ask if they are shiny or matte ... i'm sure Albrecht will tell you ... he was good to reply to some of my questions recently. they also have new vent window knobs for 21 euro each.

https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/veh...-2-5-cs-3-0-csl-e9/catalog-picture-51-22.html
Click to expand...

Scott, Thanks for checking at home. Wally's is a great source. Strange that the BMW Classic site shows these parts as NLA, but W+N has them. The price is good, too, if a little less so with the $56 shipping. Gotta get used to the realities of not buying off the shelf, right?
 
I ordered some rubber washers recently for my fuel injectors. They weighed about the same as the window caps you need. I had to pay the same $56 shipping. They could have been shipped as a small packet/envelope for much less I'm sure, but they were still cheaper even with the shipping than from BMW. When they arrived, they were in a big heavy box. I could not imagine why. I opened it and found the washers in a small plastic baggie on top of a large heavy loose leaf binder illustrated parts catalog which I don't need, as I have two sets of illustrated pasts catalogs from BMW already. I suspect most of the $56 was to ship the catalog I did not need or request?!?!
 
well, unfortunately i do not have any spares ... thought i might from the coupe parts that i bought a year or so ago. i either have them in a safe place or i gave them away to somebody. word of caution with W+N ... buy other things at the same time or get some coupesters nearby to go in for an order to share the shipping price. i originally was going to buy 4 window bolts (and got the 49 euro shipping charge) - quickly cancelled that ... ended up buying some rear window rubber, new toolbox, new mirrors and a few other things ... still with the 49 euro shipping) and meanwhile saved 200 bucks over the discounted dealers price here in the states.
 
rsporsche said:
well, unfortunately i do not have any spares ... thought i might from the coupe parts that i bought a year or so ago. i either have them in a safe place or i gave them away to somebody. word of caution with W+N ... buy other things at the same time or get some coupesters nearby to go in for an order to share the shipping price. i originally was going to buy 4 window bolts (and got the 49 euro shipping charge) - quickly cancelled that ... ended up buying some rear window rubber, new toolbox, new mirrors and a few other things ... still with the 49 euro shipping) and meanwhile saved 200 bucks over the discounted dealers price here in the states.
Click to expand...

Scott, Thanks for checking. I'll have to decide whether to order some other things to help amortize the shipping charge or just go with the metal ones offered by CSI. They tell me they are the same style as the originals, just made of metal. Hate to miss out on that illustrated parts catalog, though!

As for the fender grilles, I think I found a local company who can chrome plate the black plastic ones I have. I'm waiting for a quote.
 
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