door carrier handle carrier OEM or not?
 

ok , not posted for ages due to personal reasons, but the x5 never ceases to throw things at me, drivers side door handle carrier went yesterday , changed both sides hmmm 6 years ago so that is pants especially as i bought the OEM...
this time bought febi replacement so will see how that fares, and am even thinking of buying the dead cheopo aftermarket....for the passenger side...

How bad can they be? i mean 6 years is poor life expectancy for the door handle....especially as i dont use the car eveyday! anyone had an experience with the much cheaper aftermarkets?hasnt bmw acknowledged to poor design.... and use of what seems to be a brittle alloy that just cracks or has bits falling off it. Am in a right mind to kick up a stink, but i guess they will just say wear and tear consumable , like a battery or tire!

door carrier handle carrier OEM or not?
 

Read my awr-fix on the DHC. Most can be fixed with a single steel zip tie. (a pack costs maybe $5 so 17¢ each).

The non OEM often have minor fitment problems nothing that a few seconds can't fix but be careful of the spring if not the right size will scrape on the window. (also easy Dremel fix)

When using a knock off, move over the cable if it's in good shape. The knock off cables are not great.

Also: if you live in a cold climate, the cable can freeze and a single pull can break the DHC on day one. It's absolutely essential that you don't yank if it's frozen.

In my DLA repair thread I do an experiment where I exactly reproduce the freeze that locks up the DLA that will break the DHC if you pull hard.

Much appreciate reply, got the febi replacement just wondering to cut the tab off or not? Ashamed to say i am.not gonna do this diy in case
I hit issues...either way got the old dhcs but don't have the little bits that flaked off...cable tie fix still ok?
Ps wifes e46 been in out of all four door so many times that i can do it with my eyes shut...but wont touch thec5

IN Russia we have some people making strong copies of the carriers using cast iron or steel (since we pretty much live in North Pope), its reinforced with double the thickness on the fragile parts of the door handle and a more durable cable.

Aswell as there are some people who adopt a handle door opener sensors, so when you touch the handle from the inside with your finger the door pops out automatically, with an installation of the suction mechanism like on the OLD mercedeses S class where the door closes itself when you bring it closer to the latch mechanism

. Unfortunatelly on the our X5s It is only equipped on the Rear trunk. (With those fragile door Carrier Handles that would be an amazing addition)

To avoid the problem with the cold temperature people usually add WEBASTO & Pandora Start up Alarm that can set a temperature in your cabin upon auto start. That way the doors will not be cold upon entering the car if parked outisde.

YET TO AVOID ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE X5 CARRIESR HANDLES PEOPLE SIMPLY DONT UNDERSTAND THAT THESE DOORS ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED & MADE TO BE OPENED WITH YOUR HAND SLIDING FROM BENEATH THE HANDLE & SLIGHTLY TAPPING IT UPWARDS. (NOT LIKE EVERYONE IS DOING IT ON THE REGULAR CAR WHERE THEY JUST PULL THE HANDLE AS OF THEY ARE OPENING THE FRIDGE)

IF YOU FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE RULE - YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM EVER AGAIN 'unless living in constant winter' (AND EDUCATE EVERYONE WHO IS ENTERING YOUR CAR - OR OPEN THE DOOR FOR THEM)

I always fight with kids for pulling on handles.....i will probably add zip tie too on new one and see,,thanks for reply

I add the zip tie to even new DHC in case of failure it'll still work

Mr Andrewwynn THANKS AGAIN, i dug out some printouts i had from years back must of got em off xoutpost too, chap had used wire instead of a cable tie and actually drilled though 2 parts of the dhc (basically in area where the the cable tie would sit ) and passed the wire through there and around same area the cable tie would pass...I have no issues trying but gonna have a hard time convincing a garage to install a diy fixed dhc....i guess though no skin off their nose, either way they get paid for the installation...if it lasts well they get one less customer returning.....

I guess issue arising over time may also have something to with the way you open the door, no tugging, just a gentle lift till it click open, be interesting to know how other x5 owners have got on....i mean how often have they had to replace fix the dhc

excellent write up :thumbup:only issue i have is probably getting a metal cable tie wrapped twice.....

You have to expand the clip for the ball to move enough to make room I've done it a few times now it's not difficult just if the first attempt or two fails diagonal cut it off and start over. It took me a few tries to figure out that a single pass wouldn't hold tight enough