Here's the DIY from the homepage and it has links for similar DIYs at the bottom.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...nt-bmw-x5.html

Not sure if you can get just that piece but hopefully if you have to get a kit try and get one with that piece in metal instead of plastic - if its available that is.

Thanks TwinsPoppa.

That's the DIY link I followed ;-) Extremely helpful!!!

Will see what I can get from the local store here tomorrow. Am hoping not having to get the whole regular, which cost over US$100 according to other posts :dunno:

The drivers windows on both of my x5's are making the loud snapping noise as well. I have been tossing back and forth on replacing the window regulator as well. Some times they make the noise and other times they dont. I figure one day it will eventually fail but I think I will open the door panel up and have a look and decide if I can do the copper wire solution or just replace the window regulator. It seems like the loud snapping noise is a tell tale that the window regulator is failing.

The window regulator fail when the cable reel or carrier clips are broken.Window motor
mostly doesn't fail.
It is better and cheaper to use my DIY now instead of waiting for it completely fail.

I decided to get a brand new regulator since it was exactly half price from the original (about US$83 instead of US$170).

The installation of the new regulator went pretty straight forward, and this is what had been broken:
Attachment 40287

and this is from the new regulator (white plastic instead of black):
Attachment 40288

This is the regulator for the Left-front door, and has 2 of these clips. I also suspect that the non-broken clip should be identical to the "flip" side for the right-front door, which is good because I also suspect that one is broken too since it's showing the exact symptoms. So I'm going to give the other door a go one this side is done.

The only problem now is that the plastic clips holding the window to the regulator (part 7 here) are also broken, which explains the big BANG noise when the windows slides in/out of place while it goes up and down, so I'm going to have to order the clips tomorrow.

FIXED!!!
 

Got the clips and all is good. Windows is held firmly and now open and close without any problem!

Since this was the first window regulator job for me, I had not idea what the clip looks like originally. So I was trying to get the windows hold without any success and then realized it must have been broken.

Here's the broken clip on the right:
Attachment 40330

and the new one on the left:
Attachment 40329

Also, I looks like the reason for these parts to fail so frequently, might have to do with slamming the door closed while the window is at full open. When the window is at down position, the carrier clips vibrates further distance when the door is being closed, causing the plastic part of the clips to break.

As always, thanks for the great help from this forum!

I think this is the exact repair i need to do to my front left drivers window. Where did you get the regulator and clips from. Was the install pretty easy?? What was the process?? Thanks

I got the parts from a local store. The installation was not too difficult, I just followed the great write up from here. An extra pair of hands would be helpful when securing the window to the clips, because the window is pretty heavy and it needs to be lifted when placing the clips and screws.

You might also want to try mrbmwx5's cooper wire trick first before buying the actual regulator.

Good luck. I'll do the right / driver side next!

I love this place! I have this same issue and will be finally fixing it today!

Copper wire does the trick. No need to spend 110 on the whole replacement.