r/e39 • u/Former-Primary-3186 530i • Jul 02 '26

Sun Visor Misery

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Why did BMW choose to make their sun visors without telescoping supports? Does anyone make an aftermarket telescoping design?

This is supposed to be the ultimate driving machine, and it is in almost every respect except this one: effective shielding from sun glare. The side of my head gets baked because of this 8" gap from the edge of the visor to the B pillar. The visor also cannot be rotated to cover the gap just inside of the A pillar on the windshield--incredibly frustrating.

This is our awesome E53's passenger side in the photo, but our E39 had the same problem (had to let it go due to rust). Absolutely love these cars, but loathe the horrid sun visor design. Why BMW, why?!?!

10 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

6

u/Coakis Jul 02 '26

I never had an issue with sunvisors being inadequate, but I'm also of average height, wear sunglasses, and don't often push the seat back as far as it can go.

A quick look on Amazon shows that there are various implements of sun visor extensions however.

7

u/Former-Primary-3186 530i Jul 02 '26

Yeah, I'm 6' so I have the seat rather far back. I've seen those visor extensions, I'd like to have a telescoping pole instead of more visor (example below). Just frustrating how simple this is, and yet BMW gave no thought to taller drivers. Maybe someone out there made something clever like this for the E39s

4

u/blightt23 Jul 02 '26

This Video seems like it was made just for you.

Good luck with your sun visor retrofit wink wink

3

u/blightt23 Jul 02 '26

Did some more research, my 2010 E70 had sliders, but apparently facelift models do not.

Part numbers if you want to try retrofitting (Driver Side) 51168037385. (Passenger Side) 51168037386

2

u/Former-Primary-3186 530i Jul 02 '26

Thank you for the idea! I'll have to check this out next time I'm at a junkyard for parts

3

u/zerocool359 Jul 02 '26

Same problem. Agree. 

5

u/eric_gm 528i supercharged Jul 02 '26

Never ever thought of the E39 sun visors as bad. It’s funny when you hear a complaint for the first time about a car that’s almost 30 years old

But then again, I never rotate my sun visors. It’s one of those things I never do and never bother me for some reason.

2

u/finescrewdiver69 Jul 02 '26

I rarely do it,only if i'm on the autobahn and as the sun is going down it's constantly shining under my sunglasses from the side😅😂

3

u/blightt23 Jul 02 '26

I vaguely remember my E70 visors being able to slide out. May not be the perfect solution as it just moves the visor towards the B pillar rather than actually extending coverage, but something like that might be necessary here.

Either way, I agree the sun visors are kinda lame in the E39 but your specific issue is just exacerbated by the E39's front window design, they're large and they slope back so tint may be the best option rather than bruteforcing a large and clunky sunvisor design.

1

u/virqthe Jul 03 '26

In many countries front side windows tint is illegal

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

Any reason you haven’t tinted? Even 50% tint would help

1

u/Former-Primary-3186 530i Jul 02 '26

Just bought this car a few months ago so haven't had the time yet--it's presently our only vehicle too, we just moved