I HATE window regulators!!!!
 

Seriously... I HATE THEM!!!!!! I am so full of RAGE that it simply cannot come across in the words here. The driver side, which I fixed last year, started acting up again and it would get stuck going up. The passenger side, busted and waiting repair. So finally I swapped cars with the ex-CEO because the X5 also needs to go in for balancing (super bad vibration under braking). I decided let me pull the door apart and see if I can adjust the window. Pull it apart, make sure everything is working, looks like I got it, reassemble the door... test the window some more... CLUNK :banghead: :angryfire :tantrum:

Pull the door apart, AGAIN... the little tiny plastic clips that are made to hold a big heavy window appear to have snapped. So now nothing is holding the window. Who ever designed these things had their head WAY up their ass :swear:

Wow... so sorry to hear that, Ken. I know that's been a source or frustration for many of us... Hang in there, man. Hope you get that fixed soon.

Juan

I have yet to be vexed by regulators...is this a gremlin in pre 2004 vehicles? I did hear somewhere that the regulators used are the same ones used in Audis. I think it is Audi.

my passanger side is slow but not gone yet..... ohhh boy

and sorry to hijack ur thread but should i go ahead and get the extended warenty $1400 cuz mama say taht most teh stuff we would need to replace is under 1400???? what do you think?

I am a charter member of the bad regulator club. I have had the distinction of all four going teets up on me. That is one reason I bought the extended warranty, which I recommend. It is cheap insurance in the event that you need to replace something like a transmission or catalytic converter. If that necessity arises you will be very happy that you bought the warranty.

Ken: I feel your pain. :mad:

The window regulator problem is not just an X5 problem. I've had regulators go bad in my E36 (3 regulators in 2 different cars), E34, E46, E39, and my X5. Regulators belong on the list of parts that inevitably fail including water pumps and radiators.

I found that the 1aauto.com has a 2 year warranty, better design and tested for 9000 cycles. I noticed they operate a bit smoother. I have learned how to replace, takes about an hour if you know what you are doing.
Cheers,
Kevin
2001 X% 3.0

Yup. Not just a BMW problem either, had them fail in VW's and Fords too.

Also, there is a new part for the backing nut that holds the regulator clip to the window. It has a nut like the current one but has a washer built in to spread the stress. I found Chapman BMW in Chandler, AZ had them, but next time I went they other guy did not know. Anyone know what I am talking about? (shaped like a brake rotor)

FYI, just fixed my driver door last week. The black plastic clips are available on eBay, as are some nylon molded parts that replace the former metal/plastic part that also breaks and rides on the cable and track. Buying these parts on eBay for < $20 is preferred over the $200 (est) that the dealer wants for a new regulator. If its just these parts that broke, then you can replace them yourself (although popping the cable back into the nylon part took some patience.). I've gotten very good at taking the door panel off, and removing the airbag!