windows making a noise????
- Thread starter Skunk2R0722
- Start date
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
'supposedly' they are good regulators, but I don't buy that crap with all the reported failures I see across all the BMW forums. I don't know of an aftermarket replacement for the regulators, if there was one it'd be sold out all the time. ![[paranoid]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_paranoid.gif "Paranoid [paranoid]")
You can replace them yourself, it's a bit of a chore but can save you some labor if your car is not under warranty (Regulators are covered under regular and CPO warranties).
You can replace them yourself, it's a bit of a chore but can save you some labor if your car is not under warranty (Regulators are covered under regular and CPO warranties).
I just had to replace 2 of mine. I have a 2003 330 with 23k on it. The back right broke and the front right was "slow" and making a similar noise as stated above. The dealership replaced both under warranty, but now I'm worried how many more will break, and especially after my warranty goes out. Suprising this is so common and hasn't been addressed.
The only people who claim they are good regulators are BMW related people. Consumers (and the mechanics who admit to it) will tell you they're crap. Unfortunate, but the window regulators and the moonroof parts are really crappy. BMW won't do a thing about it tho. They just ignore it and claim there's no problem.
Do make sure when they replace the regulator, they reseal the vapour seal properly within the panel. Most BMw techs, will pull off the panel, do the repair and slap the panel back on. Theres a vapour seal in there that has to be resealed. Otherwise when it rains, it will seep down the exterior window sill through your panel and into the interior. You won't notice it though... it'll just seep into the interior.
After discussing this matter with a local members on E46toronto.ca, one of them had the insight. - I was complaining of this musty smell in the interior and the rear passenger (driver side) floor was always damp. Microfilter was replaced, checked to see if the air duct underneath the driver seat was emitting excessive moisture, nobody was drinking in the car and I don't roll down my windows, rarely. Until i was enlightened with new info.
Good luck.
After discussing this matter with a local members on E46toronto.ca, one of them had the insight. - I was complaining of this musty smell in the interior and the rear passenger (driver side) floor was always damp. Microfilter was replaced, checked to see if the air duct underneath the driver seat was emitting excessive moisture, nobody was drinking in the car and I don't roll down my windows, rarely. Until i was enlightened with new info.
Good luck.
The regulator change is really easy. Don't pay the $320. And the part is less than $135. More like $100 - $115 depending on the vehicle model. I have done three of them on my X5, none yet on my 330. Two fronts and one rear. The first one was a learning experience and involved the removal of an airbag (driver side front). The next two were absolute cake. If you are mechanically inclined I say go for it. Three quick hints: 1. Have a helper to hold the window up as needed. 2. If you have to take off an airbag, disconnect the battery and leave disconnected for 20 minutes before disconnecting it (and leave battery disconnected until you reconnect the airbag). This fully discharges the electronics that can cause detonation. 3. Don't reconnect the battery to test your new regulator with the airbag disconnected as this will set off an airbag fault code that will cost you money to clear.
Believe me, it is so easy you will be laughing and patting yourself on the back at the money you just saved after you do it. Just don't be intimidated by the job, open the thing up, study it, and try to remember how to reverse your steps so you can get it back together!!!!!!
Believe me, it is so easy you will be laughing and patting yourself on the back at the money you just saved after you do it. Just don't be intimidated by the job, open the thing up, study it, and try to remember how to reverse your steps so you can get it back together!!!!!!
![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]"){kind=icon}
I have to agree with the fruit-fly life-span theory. I just lost my second window regulator. It has been 100,000 miles between regulators, but never the less this week I will be replacing another regulator. The only common thread for my bimmer appears to be the lack of usage. My front window regulators haven't given me any trouble to this point. My rear window regulators seem to suffer from lack of use. I admittedly don't use my rear windows since I'm usually the only one in my bimmer all of the time. I generally only use my rear window buttons during the winter too make sure they're not frozen and too occasionally get the outside condensation off the outside of the windows in the mornings. In the summer I hardly ever use my rear windows, only front windows or air conditioning. Any who, just thought I'd add yet another tale concerning the problems of bimmers wonderful window regulators.[driving2]
The very first one I did with my mechanic leading the way. It was his first one too. He is really cool and lets me hang around. It took us about 2 hours for the first one, and hour and a half for the second one (both of these involved removing an air bag) and I did the third one in my driveway in about an hour (no air bag).