regulator or door carrier????
 

when the drivers door glass is all the way down, it "feels" like the back of the glass is hitting something in the door latch and binding. window won't come up. door carrier/latch feels tight, and works fine. if I "giggle" things and work the glass, the regulator pulls it up and down just fine. window is OK as long as you don't power it down that last 1-2 inches.

so....does this sound like the regulator is getting ready to go?

Yeah, sounds like the plastic clip is having a hard time staying on the track and staying in line and binding. Just open er up and have a look. Only take a few minutes to pull the panel off.

update. Just like he said it would, I ordered a new regulator, pulled the panel apart, and as soon as I started fidling with it, the rear bracket fell off in my hand. wasn't on the rail, or the cable, barely hanging onto the glass, even that bracket was broken. All is new now, and runs perfectly.

thanks guys.....

Hi guys,

I am working with someone to manufacture or 3D print the part that fails most often on BMW window regulators. I think it is show in this diagram. (closest to item 3)

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i DOOR WINDOW LIFTING MECHANISM FRONT

If this part were available, would you have been willing to purchase it instead of the whole new regulator?

I'm curious.

i THINK you can buy that part in plastic only and not have replace the whole thing, currently it is made of plastic and a metal plate, I installed on wifes e46 and had a 50% success rate...you could always try and hope for the best, i also tried zip tie diys got fed up and just replaced with aftermarket MEYLE regulators and they are fine on an e46 so sure would be so for an x5....

Cool
 

I didn't even think to look for after-market window regulators. I just looked here and I found a few.
Oembimmerparts BMW & Mini Parts

I looked and I didn't find any place to buy just the part that broke.

Does anyone have an idea of where to find such a thing?