On my 2012 R55 JCW I'm replacing three parts of Trim, windshield cowl, outer:

1. Mouting strip, cover, firewall 51312756196 (same part used on R55/R56/R57/R58/R59) (purchased from @PelicanParts.com before I realized I also needed the other two)
2. Left apron cover 51132751209 (R55/R56/R57) (purchased from @ECSTuning )
3. Right apron cover 51132751210 (R55/R56/R67) (purchased from @ECSTuning )

The Bentley book (513-2 and 513-3) calls #1 the "retaining strip". It has a rubber-lined square-section metal channel that's apparently a friction fit over the bottom edge of the glass, and a rubber-lined U-section metal channel that holds an edge on the bottom of the apron/cowl covers.

The old strip had deteriorated, and came off the windshield when I removed the apron/cowl covers. I cleaned the surface of the glass with Windex. So far as I know it's the factory-installed original glass, and I don't see any adhesive where it looks like it shouldn't be.
Now I can't get the new strip to go onto the glass. I've tried starting at one end and prying it open a bit to get it started, but still I can't push it onto the glass.
I have studied several cowl threads here, and several YouTube videos, but I haven't found any that address installing this strip on the glass.

What's the trick? Do I really just need to push it harder, or am I missing some critical step or insight? Any suggestions are gratefully welcomed!

 

I was under the impression that windshield strip get replaced when you replace the windshield… I don’t think you can replace it with the windshield in place?

 

No, it can definitely be replaced in-situ. I had to replace mine when I replaced my cowl covers to get the cowl to stay attached properly. I'm afraid I don't remember what I did, sorry, but I don't remember it being a difficult job.

You sure you're installing it right? There's two channels in the piece, I forget which one clips over the bottom of the windshield and which one the cowl covers slot into. Use your existing one as a guide.

 

It is a bear to get on.

 

The old one had the square-section channel on the glass, and the U-section channel holding the cowl cover:

orientation of 51-31-2-756-196 (Mouting strip, cover, firewall)

 

I think I remembered how I did it: I had to lubricate the channel on the strip with some silicone lube. This is the stuff I used but anything similar should work:

 

The photo for orientation was extremely helpful, but I cannot for the life of me get the channel onto the windshield. Part of me thinks the extra material where it sits against the forewall is in the way. Should that extra flap also be going up under the windshield or do I need to pull it down?

 

I just did same on my car 2 months ago
it was a struggle but you have it in the correct orientation. I had to ensure the “extrusion flap” to firewall side was folded under correctly. That can keep the channel from seating correctly. Mine did fold out “out” it went under windscreen

At least that was what I experienced

Don’t remove the white plastic strip until you’ve installed the channel

 

Sorry i just saw this, yep when the front window gets replaced...(99% of MINIs have the front window replaced due to how low and upright the window is). The company that does it (safelite, etc..) adds too much window weld and on the bottom the gasket does not have enough room to hook on. Ask me how i know with multiple MINIs and windows replaced. You have to trim back the under side window weld a little. Hopefully when you do that they did not get air bubbles or a small bead as that would then let moisture in. Rare but i guess it could happen.

That's the way you have it above, you just remove that white "holding strip", push the seal upward on the glass so its flush after you trim back some of the betalink/window weld.

Then the cowls go in that slot tab where you removed the white holding strip.

That yellow arrow lip should push up and on the body of the car to seal. This prevents water intrusion.

 

Thanks for the replies/help! We eventually got it own, but did have to trim a bit to make things fit. Definitely related to excess weld from when I had the windshield replaced a few years back.

 

Yep, its a that extra "betalink" that window shops add that makes a mess to do the job.

Glad its fixed!

 

I just replaced this "mounting strip" along with the 2-piece cowl and it did require quite a bit of pushing to get it seated. My windshield was never replaced so there was no extra glue to deal with. I guess the design was made to make sure it would stay securely attached to the windshield by friction once installed

 

Yep, has a snug fit.