Window Regilators

[das boots]

Hello to all....

Front Left Window lower down all the way smoothly. But yet when raising, window has this weird sound almost similar to something cracking on some point and a little binding with the felt lining? It's been a while since I did apply silicone lube to the felt lining. Never replaced the window regulators. Still original parts with now at 165+ miles. Would like to also confirm that the problem is the window regulator beginning to go south. Would replacing both front regulators the same time ok even though the right side is working fine? But for how long?

[fredo]

I'm pretty sure a new window regulator will solve this. My 2005 SG ZHP with 128k miles had similar symptoms and got 3 new regulators in the past year: FR, RR, RL.

But I don't know if it's the first time they have been replaced.

[John in VA]

I would purchase both regulators (price will probably only go up!) but not replace the right one until you hear the crackling/experience failure, unless it's a job you enjoy!

[fredo]

Price is going up, indeed. I bought the FR (51-33-7-020-660) regulator for $149.33 at thebmwminipartstore.com on Jan-2024.

Now it goes for $154.30

Use promo code ROUNDEL at checkout for a 10% discount. :thumbsup

[das boots]

Does it matter if purchased from bmwpartstore or from FCP Euro? I know original is original ($154) and FCP ($99) is by Lemforder although manufactured in Taiwan?

Edit: Ordered the Original Parts from part store.

[fredo]

Genuine is your best bet. This is the most recent review for Lemforder FR regulator in FCP Euro:

"Was working well for two weeks and then failed. I'm gonna get the Genuine one."

[John in VA]

Last I checked FCP Euro only sold original BMW regulators - with their lifetime replacement warranty I'd consider purchasing from them.
Although they all fail, if yours lasted 20+ years I'd go with original. Many report results with Amazon ones but, while it's not a hard job, it's not something I want to do every few years!

[das boots]

Got the funding for the window regulators. Will there be anything else I need for the process like getting new fasteners or door clips for the door panels? I know BMW has a lot of plastic clips/fasteners all over. I noticed there are clips in RealOEM. But there's Green and White and Grey with different quantities. 51418101204 (Green), 51418224768(White) & 51418224781 (Grey). Thanks.

[John in VA]

You might break some clips or have some of them or the small gaskets missing - it's nice to have them on hand.
Butyl caulk strips to reattach the foam vapor barrier - make sure the seal at the bottom is good. I detach the barrier from the top & sides to keep the bottom sealed so the floorboards don't get flooded!
Heat gun to soften the caulk for a better seal.

[das boots]

I realize that the vapor barrier also needs to be addressed. Sealing all over the plastic barrier. The narrow and can be molded. I can get those at HD.

Do anybody remember what is the color of the clips used for the door panel? Anything else needed, please let me know.

[John in VA]

#6 - White ones around the perimeter of the panel.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BD53-USA-09-2005-E46-BMW-330Ci&diagId=51_3729

[Fried_Chicken]

I just bought a whole bunch of window regulators off eBay for like $20/each. One was broken before installed, but the rest are working well.
Buying from FCP with their lifetime shit is probably not a bad idea.

The clips you can get at the BMW dealership, they're like $1 each. I just did the speaker in my passenger side door and needed 5 of them. I got an additional 15 from the dealership on the way. So far I see no reason to think the bavsound speaker kit is any better than stock, but it's cheaper than replacing all the stock speakers ��*♂️

[das boots]

Just placed my order with clips. Off to HD later for the 3M Butyl sealant tape.

[das boots]

Went to HD try to locate this Butyl caulk strips. They do not carry those or whatever is closest. All they have are weatherstrips for home windows or for the A/C.

Where do I get those pliable butyl caulking strips? Amazon has some but unfortunately, not familiar what they are selling. I am leaning towards the second item below.

https://www.amazon.com/Sealant-PROMOTOR-Sealants-Installing-Windshield/dp/B07CTQ67X9/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=18YY2EXJPCF99&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0n4sdGn_7tfCqmxkuhJZYVxyju3Qr08yz gOZ31LgV9_Fpii6GJYf6OmG3L2nxu61BVpRIh2wR3d-5KH2a4ua_qDtRU_NtC61o5D0bwvtjI4tc1dwZMfabGwTgiAZzw zdV59Zm_YuZ4zhpln4XaaKQKx0FzZnY2o_k-GmHiy0L_M2aSFI3TUvdqwsASBWtLSCmXMPT7Bv498KpdYFSprC K00DspgANFeo_ulcs9W5D6c.QF8oRTN90Mgt1bGUZc2VJjZoVA S4IS1zEZQ_1wGovzo&dib_tag=se&keywords=pliable%2Bcaulking%2Bsealant&qid=1726255671&sprefix=pliable%2Bcaulking%2Bsealant%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1


https://www.amazon.com/Butyl-Sealant-Tape-Automotive-Installing/dp/B09KBKB9S2/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?crid=11ELHHMFBY19F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xi-3tTBZiGIu2HhTQriGrdr2uVSaF_D0W--_VpY-WtN5fJE2SoJ0SSy6r-PT8S4dW0h4CQ8VhK1pJL5MGBZr8uBR0sa1haIv3sXUE6Y4XGXU XeYp8Bc-rXfVQjZXrZ42ZilIo8yaphkQ6TINFa2TGCCO3JgqXCJSPNryIS WgxD_FrhBYC4bM0Af7_M8ijomOZimXD4JYGwB6TjNImrej6yW2 jV2xY3e8p0HkURbW73I.SGKpVYntEWZ5f9jrjTLBoenAxomlbY sc2_xFVnaNScc&dib_tag=se&keywords=flexible+caulking+sealant&qid=1726255825&sprefix=pliable+caulking+sealant%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-7-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1

Also do I have to replace the vapor barrier/liner? Where do I get those? RealOEM does not show any liner.


Thanks.

[John in VA]

Home Depot has this - it will probably work:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gibraltar-Building-Products-50-ft-Butyl-Sealant-Tape-Roof-Accessory-in-Gray-99415/205945574

The Amazon link you provided is similar to what I have used. Advance Auto, Autozone, NAPA, etc., sell it in a roll for window installation. 3M Windo-Weld ribbon sealer 08612

If your vapor barriers are not torn/ripped up you can reuse them.
#12 Water/Sound Door Insulator Shield - Front Left - BMW (51-48-7-114-713); Front right - (51-48-7-114-714)
#9 Sound insulating door rear left: 51-48-8-196-127; Sound insulating door rear right: 51-48-8-196-128

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partgrp?id=EV53-USA-12-2004-E46-BMW-330i&mg=51&sg=70

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/vapor-barrier-diy.1169049/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOdpV3qLEq0&ab_channel=TheNewMechanic

[das boots]

Home Depot has this - it will probably work:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gibraltar-Building-Products-50-ft-Butyl-Sealant-Tape-Roof-Accessory-in-Gray-99415/205945574

The Amazon link you provided is similar to what I have used. Advance Auto, Autozone, NAPA, etc., sell it in a roll for window installation. 3M Windo-Weld ribbon sealer 08612

If your vapor barriers are not torn/ripped up you can reuse them.
#12 Water/Sound Door Insulator Shield - Front Left - BMW (51-48-7-114-713); Front right - (51-48-7-114-714)
#9 Sound insulating door rear left: 51-48-8-196-127; Sound insulating door rear right: 51-48-8-196-128

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partgrp?id=EV53-USA-12-2004-E46-BMW-330i&mg=51&sg=70

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/vapor-barrier-diy.1169049/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOdpV3qLEq0&ab_channel=TheNewMechanic

Thanks. Orders already placed for the regulators and clips. Have to be very careful removing the vapor barriers.

[John in VA]

Thanks. Orders already placed for the regulators and clips. Have to be very careful removing the vapor barriers.

I loosen/remove the top & side sections, trying to leave the best seal possible at the bottom as that is where the water comes in to flood the carpet! Chances are that someone has already been in the door in the past 20 years - if so, don't worry about it as you'll have a chance to seal everything well.

Use a heat gun to soften the caulk before using a razor blade to release the vapor barrier. When reattaching, heat the butyl up before pressing the barrier back into place.

[das boots]

I loosen/remove the top & side sections, trying to leave the best seal possible at the bottom as that is where the water comes in to flood the carpet! Chances are that someone has already been in the door in the past 20 years - if so, don't worry about it as you'll have a chance to seal everything well.

Use a heat gun to soften the caulk before using a razor blade to release the vapor barrier. When reattaching, heat the butyl up before pressing the barrier back into place.

Nobody has opened up the door panels. First time to have window regulators problem. Surprised it lasted this long. Thanks for heads up. Start from top and work to bottom. Preparation is the key.

[BMWCurves]

I just bought a whole bunch of window regulators off eBay for like $20/each. One was broken before installed, but the rest are working well.
Buying from FCP with their lifetime shit is probably not a bad idea.

The clips you can get at the BMW dealership, they're like $1 each. I just did the speaker in my passenger side door and needed 5 of them. I got an additional 15 from the dealership on the way. So far I see no reason to think the bavsound speaker kit is any better than stock, but it's cheaper than replacing all the stock speakers ��*♂️

I remember ZHPizza saying it took a while for them to break in.

[Will]

Not to derail the window regulator / door panel / vapor barrier discussion, but


I remember ZHPizza saying it took a while for them to break in.

That's my experience as well. I replaced the speakers in the ZHP with Bavsound and did a side by side comparison to the e46m3 with HK sound. I used an app to adjust volume to be approximate in dB and then played the same songs back to back between the two cars/systems.
The Bavsound was more clear and bright (instruments and voices were more separated and clear), whereas the stock HK more muddy but had mid-bass punch.

[das boots]

Finally able to replace the two Front window regulators. Had to disconnect battery. A precaution for the side air bag inflator. Slowly peeled the vapor barrier. Still looks good. No tears. The Driver regulator side looks like there is a clamp that holds to the cable is loose on the crimp. While the Passenger side still looks good. Either way, I always replace/replace in pairs. Took longer than anticipated. Specially with a bad back. Next time, I'll have this brought in to mechanic. Used half of the Butyl sealant that I purchased from Amazon.

Anybody want a front passenger regulator? Still works. Free. Just pay for shipping. Driver side, kaput.