I have an '01 and according to the service history, 3 were replaced under warrany. 1 was replaced right before I purchased the X5 last year and I have replaced 1 since owning. That is a total of 5 accounted for and there is a 5 year gap that the previous owner may or may not have replaced any.

Initially, I was trying to find out how much extra money BMW was making off us by poorly manufacturing these actuators in the first place but after reading several of these threads I have another question.

Are window actuators destined to go out or does it have something to do with the owners window rolling technique?

I saw a few that said none have gone out and on some other threads I read where one guy had 12 go out. What's the difference between these two situations? Did the guy that had 12 go out get 12 bad actuators or is there a difference between the way he treats his window switches than the people that have had none go out? My wife drives mine now and I know she doesn't use any special care to the way she rolls up/down her windows and this is the 3rd one to go out.

Conversly, my lexus hasn't had any go out and she drove that car for about 150K now.

In summation, is it the actuator destined to fail or is it our button technique that helps them fail?

I've replace a couple now. It seems that both cases the cable wore out the plastic pully wheel until failure. My guess it might have something to do with how hard the system is working when operating your windows. I.e. I would have to imagine it works harder with dirty windows, ice or anything that would affect the ease of movement up and down as well as any debrise (dirt and grime) build up on the actuator cable, which could become an abrasive on the wheel. Just my $.02.

I wouldn't think it should really matter. I mean, unless the kids are pulling on them, they shouldn't be breaking from normal use. I know this cable type of system isn't just a BMW problem as I've had to replace them in MDX's as well. I know they went to this system because scissor lift style is old and takes up too much space now what we have airbags and electronics stored in the doors, but damn.

You might be onto something with the whole "kid" thing...we have a Ford Exploder which we bought a couple years ago when we moved from downtown Chicago which I convinced my wife to get to use and destroy vs. an X5...It blew its left rear actuator about a week ago; the same side my youngest sat when the one in the X5 blew. Coincidence?

Anyway I had to disassemble to door to get the window back up and I have to admit, replacing one in the X5 is MUCH easier than the Ford. Luckily its under warranty, but I think I will let my wife drive around a little longer with the silver Duct tape (lol).

Excellent points, both of you. The dirt thing makes perfect sense and the kid thing has merit as well.

Do you think that if the plastic wheel was metal that it would make a big difference in failure rate? I have notices several parts on my X that scared me because they were made of plastic when I really thought they should have been metal (i.e. idler pulleys).

Regarding the kids, abstinance is the only fix I can think of . . . too late.

My X is silver which matches the duct tape perfectly . . . lol.

My friends 95 750iL has double thick glass and his regulators havent failed. I think it just comes down to they're being cheaply made and it's a hit or miss if they last a while or not.

James,
Mine worked fine, again this morning, driving over and back from
the ball chasing club...I must admit, your post was ringing in my
ears, as I pushed the window button. :rofl:

8 1/2 yrs, orig regulators. My kids are adults; maybe there is
something to the back seat rug rat hypothesis.
GL,mD

None replaced. 2006 X5 4.4i... 87k miles....James, I'll send you the bill when it goes tomorrow morning.