windshield and cali roof
 

I just had my windshield replaced on my 1996 cali ed. On the old windshield the black plastic molding on the top edge of the windshield stuck straight out about 3/8 of an inch. The new windshield doesn't have this ridge but the standard flush mount molding. Does any of this make sense? I'm guessing this ridge was suppost to be a wind deflector. Does anyone know? I havn't drove it on the highway to check to see if wind noise has changed. I didn't realize they were going to replace that molding and can't decide if I say something or not. What's everyone elses look like?

It's wrong.
The screened popup wind deflector began in 1998 and lost that small ridge in the molding.
My guess is you are going to have a bit more wind noise when the roof is open.

A decent shop will always replace the molding.
A good one will replace it correctly. :)

I know some of the moldings you replace and others are reusable. Many older cars had a big chrome ring around the edge. I don't have the screened popup deflector as it's an older model. just wondering what the deal was with the ridge. If it was on all bmw's or if it was part of the cali roof set up. Question answered. Now I need to decide if I should say something or just live with it. Maybe a high speed roof open run is needed.

I've gone through many windshields and all the molding is replaced everytime.
The ridge had to be for wind deflection since my 98 open air roof didn't have one.
Although
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E3..._single_parts/
makes no distinction based on year.

I'm thinking the molding on my 1965 mustang is a polished stainless steel that was reused when the windshield was out of it. I also had a 1966 porsche 911 that the windshield was knocked out of that had a polished stainless steel molding around that was damaged and had to be straightend whicth took hours and hours with a body hammer and dollies. Old chevy trucks also had a rope in seal that was typicaly reused. I get what you are saying though. I guess as long as the new windshield doesn't leak and there's no cracks I can live with it. I think the new windshield is overall slightly diff. than the old in tinting and there's a black ring all the way around the glass. Never think of aftermarket glass being diff. Makes me wonder if the strengh of glass from diff. companies is better or worse.

Aftermarket windows are probably better than OE.
The molding is just cosmetic anyway.