My windows are still rattling.

[Pete Teoh]

I just took my car to the dealer for the 3rd time to have window rattles fixed. Both front windows make an annoying rattle at low speeds and on braking. The problem is still not fixed.

The SA said that while trying to fix the rattle, they discovered that failure is imminent on the window regulators. So, the car is going in again to get that replaced.

:banghead:

[Pete Teoh]

:banana: Looks like they managed to stop the rattle this time. I'm cautiously optimistic that it won't return. :eeps:

[tommyd]

:banana: Looks like they managed to stop the rattle this time. I'm cautiously optimistic that it won't return. :eeps:

congrats! i go in on wednesday to fix mine... :thumbup:

[Pete Teoh]

congrats! i go in on wednesday to fix mine... :thumbup:
Thanks. They even added some rubber grommet thingies to my armrest to prevent rattles from that area. :thumbup: My only complaint is that the horizontal window trim was reinstalled a little unevenly. They're ordering me new parts and will replace them.

[Maverick]

Thanks. They even added some rubber grommet thingies to my armrest to prevent rattles from that area. :thumbup: My only complaint is that the horizontal window trim was reinstalled a little unevenly. They're ordering me new parts and will replace them.

Did they tell you what the problem was? I have same thing.

[Pete Teoh]

Did they tell you what the problem was? I have same thing.
This is what the report said:


LUBED WITH RUBBER CARE AND CHECKED FOR PROPER FIT OF DOOR TRIM PIECES. OK. ISOLATED NOISE WITH WINDOW UP AND COMING FROM TOP REAR OF WINDOW SEAL.
LUBED ALL DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR WEATHERSEALS. REMOVED TOP PORTION OF OUTER WEATHER SEAL AND RAISE 1MM WITH RUBBER BUTYL, TO HELP SECURE AND ISOLATE RUBBING WITH BODY TRIM. TEST DROVE. IMPROVED. REMOVED SEAL AGAIN AND INSTALLED ALONG ENTIRE TOP. TEST DROVE AGAIN, NOISE ABSENT.
- ALSO PERFORMED THIS PROCEDURE ON PASS DOOR.

[DesertTopazBlau]

Fome other forums I have visited seem to show that there is a trend here. For some years there have been failures in the window regulators. The rattle, and/or a click when closing the window, indicates an impending failure.

As I understand it, dealers will replace the regulator(s) under warranty, but this problem seems to have existed for years (I seem to recall an E46 owner claiming he had the problem on his '99 model.)

To the best of my knowledge there has been no recall issued on that part, though by whay I've heard there should be. I started to investigate it when I experienced the same noises, less than a year after delivery. It struck me as a very common problem in E46s, and some mention was made for other models (I do not know if the same part# is used in other models.

Does anyone have any idea what percentage of failures would be necessary for BMW AG to issue a recall?

MJM

[bmw325]

Fome other forums I have visited seem to show that there is a trend here. For some years there have been failures in the window regulators. The rattle, and/or a click when closing the window, indicates an impending failure.

As I understand it, dealers will replace the regulator(s) under warranty, but this problem seems to have existed for years (I seem to recall an E46 owner claiming he had the problem on his '99 model.)

To the best of my knowledge there has been no recall issued on that part, though by whay I've heard there should be. I started to investigate it when I experienced the same noises, less than a year after delivery. It struck me as a very common problem in E46s, and some mention was made for other models (I do not know if the same part# is used in other models.

Does anyone have any idea what percentage of failures would be necessary for BMW AG to issue a recall?

MJM

They actually did redesign the window regulators at some point in 2000 I think--apparently the original design was bare galvanized metal which had a rough surface which caused problems. So, they coated it w/ plastic. But, apparently that wasn't the only problem since the failures have continued into the later model years.

[E90Alan]

One would think BMW could figure out this window regulator problem by now. My 2000 328i had six of them replaced in the two and a half years I owned the car (would not wanna be stuck with that car out of warranty).

After reading some messages here that newer models had fixed the problem, I bought a 2003 330i. Much better, but two weeks ago (almost one year old) my first window regulator went out. I hope this is not a sign of things to come!

Dealer says they have much more trouble with these in hot climates (I live in Southern California desert).

This does sort of cause one to lose faith. :(

[LA525iT]

The driver window on my 3 month old E39 Touring rattles on low speed bumps. I was going to mention to the dealer but I figure they were going to blame the tint for throwing off the window thickness.

Has anyone with tint gotten this problem fixed over the dealer's complaint (or lack thereof)?