My third windows regulator
 

Was driving the X this morning to get it washed at the close by car wash and heard a 'clunk' behind. The left rear window went down on its own. I am glad it went down before I went to the car wash. This will be my third windows regulator. One more to go :). The 2 others were replaced under warranty but this time it will be on me. Already printed the article and going to order a window regulator. Where is the best place to order a windows regulator at the best price? OEM?

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I got one about two years ago for just under $100.

:goodluck:

I find it amazing that when I bring up the regulator issues with BMW dealers they are always "surprised" this is a common issue.

I just bought a rear window regulator off of eBay for $69 - seller was "rojoimparts" - received it in 2 days.

Great info:thumbup: thanks

Aftermarket window regulator, i'll pass. I know the oem bmw ones suck, but i like the keep mainly oem parts on the sav :)

I have not opened it up, so I am not sure it is OEM or not, but as you stated, the OEM ones suck, so why not try it?? If it is not OEM, I will do a comparo of both for everyone.

It clearly states in the auction that it is not a oem bmw part.

BMW Window Regulator LEFT REAR E53 X5 ALL 2000-2006:eBay Motors (item 370199322902 end time May-16-09 12:55:18 PDT)

You can try it if you like, i just have never been a fan of a lot of the non-oem parts, just like a lot of people on here.

Good luck! I will be replacing my passenger front in a couple weeks.

I just took out the windows regulator. The plastic part is broken. The OEM is indeed a piece of crap. So I will try a non OEM if it is less expensive. It cannot be much worse anyway!

If the plastic part is broken
you can repair it by looking at this video and some pictures here.

how to repair window regulator. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/...81b18cf9_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/...10a9f2ed_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/...44bd68e8_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/...f04652f0_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/...2904b562_o.jpg

How is this not a defect that BMW should fix for free?

I would agree with you in most cases, but in regards to these regulators, I think there is enough evidence that even the OEM ones are crappy.

Oh well, I don't mind being a guinea pig on this one, especially since this is the first one I have had to replace, even with 162K miles!!!

I spent part of the afternoon trying to fix the plastic part. It worked for a little bit but after about 10 ups and downs another part of the plastic broke.

Just ordered one one ebay for $78 shipped.

.......since it was my window regulator that got the 15 minutes of fame in MrBMWX5's DIY Rx video, I'll post the results if my Rx fails, but so far so good!

That window goes up and down at least three - four times every school day! :popcorn:

It CAN be much worst. My indy told me that he had tried several types of aftermarket regulators and every single one of them gave him nothing but grief. Every one of those aftermarket regulator that he used had to be replaced with the OEM within a few weeks. So, now he won't use anything other than the OEM regulator. The OEM regulator may be crap, but at least it won't crap out within a few weeks.

Well, Since I ordered it already I will see and will let you know in few weeks.

Well I think dkl jinxed us - installed the new non-OEM regulator and the first push of the button the cable came unwound from the pulley.

Now I have to see if I can get my money back and go OEM...

LMAO! Sorry to say i told you so.

On a positive note, i hope the seller will refund, i know i hate the feeling when something brand new is broken or damaged. Good luck fixing it :)

MrBMW --
The pics are fuzzy -- but if mine breaks I'm going to try and figure out your repair -- copper wire in place of plastic sounds like a very good idea.

:angryfire Nice!!! Why in the world cannot we find solid stuff anymore like in the good all days.:mad: When I was a kid a bicycle for kids would last forever. Now we are lucky if it makes it through 3 seasons.
Well, I guess I just have to wait and see what crappy windows regulator I get in a couple of days in the mail.:damn:.

Emailed seller this morning and got response back within 15 minutes - said to send it back and he would replace no problem. I will give one more a try and if it doesn't work then I will ak for a refund.

:thebird:










j/k!!! You did warn us!!!;) But for the life of me I could not see any difference between the two when sitting side-by-side.

I ordered mine from there BMW Rear Right Window Regulator X5 (00-06)
They say OEM quality. I will post an update once I have mounted it.

OMG... reading this thread is making me paranoid.... maybe I should never open any windows... makes paying tolls and getting into pay parking lots a PITA.

When you initially said "repaired under warranty" was that original warranty or CPO?

i am also repairing window regulator #3, tomorrow morning. one more left, cant wait to join the 4 for 4 club!! :rolleyes:

Actually, I think not opening the windows would make it worst (fail faster). In most cases, the driver's window usually last the longest as it gets the most use. I would just use your windows as usual. If it fails, it fails :dunno:

Got the ordered new regulator this morning. It did look at least as solid as the OEM one. I mounted it this morning and all is good. I have down at least 50 ups and downs and it works like a charm. I put some grease on the rail on which the piece that usually breaks slides. I noticed that after putting the grease the window was moving a little bit faster so it does help. By the same token I repainted my door handles that were looking old and worn. They look like brand new now. Here are some pics.
1) Inside the rear right door with the old regulator.
2) Old and new regulators
3) Door handle before painting
4) Door handle after painting.
5) New regulator in place
6) Everything back together

I have kept playing with the rear right windows up and down while driving today at least 50 more times and the windows regulator works great. Absolutely no sign of weakness at all.
I got it from this place in case others are interested.
BMW Rear Right Window Regulator X5 (00-06)
As I said in my previous post it looks at least as solid as the OEM one.
All together I took me a little bit more than one hour between taking the old one out and mounting the new one with 3 days in between to wait for the new regulator to be delivered. Having a second pair of hands would have been nice to hold the window while bolting it on to the new regulator but it is really not a difficult repair that I believe most will be able to do and $77 shipped it is not bad:thumbup:

Thanks alpac Im going to order my regulator this week from them. My door handle is scratched pretty badly, I was thinking of sanding it down and repainting it. Where did you get the paint to match?

Since this thread was dug back up, guess I will give an update - after the eBay vendor replaced the defective aftermarket regulator, I installed the second one and have had no issues whatsoever with it.

And at 176K miles, I have still only replaced one regulator!!:nanana:

I got a spray of Rust-Oleum hammered grey at Lowse's. I did the same thing (sand plus paint) with my e46's central console that was peeling pretty bad too and the result is really neat.

Same thing here, the regulator I bought on eBay has been used and abused and I have had no issue with it.

Alpac, I thought you got yours from FCP Groton, not ebay. I realize FCP is an ebay seller, so I wonder if FCP is getting them from somewhere else or if all the ebay non-OEM's are the same. Maybe X5Dawg's 1st regulator was just made on a Friday @ 5:02PM ;)