Just to confirm (as I've been out of the E46 loop for years)...

[TD]

Rattling front window probably means I need to replace the window regulator, correct?

[clyde]

Rattling front window probably means I need to replace the window regulator, correct?

Almost certainly.

After rattling starts, you're lucky if you can get a couple down/up cycles before it fails. If you've gone more than that, it could be something else?

[TD]

I found a great DIY video for taking off the door panel (below) but does anyone have a good link to a DIY for the regulator itself?


9UIPUD6H4Ak

[Terri Kennedy]

does anyone have a good link to a DIY for the regulator itself?
Hit me with the exact model and year (or last 7 of VIN) and I'll print the TIS instructions...

[TD]

'06 M3C

PK10503

[ZBB]

I never had a regulator fail on my E46... Although I did have a couple replaced due to rattles and clunks when lowering all the way. If memory serves, the passenger side was replaced twice and driver side once -- in ~4 years and just under 50k miles.

I wonder if the coupes and convertibles, which both have frame-less doors have slightly sturdier regulators. Didn't most of the failures occur on sedans?

[Terri Kennedy]

'06 M3C

PK10503
Here ya go: TIS (pdf) (http://www.tmk.com/transient/td-bmw-regulator.pdf).

Don't mind the 37 pages part - it contains every single step, starting with a fully-assembled door, including airbag cautions, torque values, and so on. But I figure it is better to have all of it handy than to get in the middle of the project and discover I forgot something...

[FC]

Never had an issue with the ZHP in 6y/60K driven daily in all seasons.

[TD]

Here ya go: TIS (pdf) (http://www.tmk.com/transient/td-bmw-regulator.pdf).

Don't mind the 37 pages part - it contains every single step, starting with a fully-assembled door, including airbag cautions, torque values, and so on. But I figure it is better to have all of it handy than to get in the middle of the project and discover I forgot something...
Thanks Terry.

The firewall at work blocks your site, but I'll check it out at home later.

[Terri Kennedy]

The firewall at work blocks your site, but I'll check it out at home later.
Really? I'm surprised that any firewall would allow carmudgeons but block tmk. Weird. :dunno:

[TD]

Really? I'm surprised that any firewall would allow carmudgeons but block tmk. Weird. :dunno:
URL: "http://www.tmk.com/transient/td-bmw-regulator.pdf"

REASON: Your request was denied because of its content categorization: "Social Networking;Society and Lifestyles"

Blame Websense.

[Terri Kennedy]

REASON: Your request was denied because of its content categorization: "Social Networking;Society and Lifestyles"

Blame Websense.
That's just bizarre. Try http://www.ispnetinc.net/td-bmw-regulator.pdf

Let me know if that works, and when you got it so I can delete it from there.

I have an infinite supply of web sites. :D

[TD]

That's just bizarre. Try http://www.ispnetinc.net/td-bmw-regulator.pdf

Let me know if that works, and when you got it so I can delete it from there.

I have an infinite supply of web sites. :D
Got it. Thanks.

[TD]

After doing some Googling, I want to ask again.

It's just a rattle on the passenger side. I get it when the window is up, but no rattle when it's down. There is no odd noise when raising or lowering the window.

There does seem to be a different regulator on the coupes/verts versus the sedans and it seems that the sedans fail more often.

I'm wondering if it might just be this- http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f3/e46-coupe-convertible-front-window-rattle-fix-diy-t53950/

Again, thoughts?

[clyde]

After doing some Googling, I want to ask again.

It's just a rattle on the passenger side. I get it when the window is up, but no rattle when it's down. There is no odd noise when raising or lowering the window.

There does seem to be a different regulator on the coupes/verts versus the sedans and it seems that the sedans fail more often.

I'm wondering if it might just be this- http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f3/e46-coupe-convertible-front-window-rattle-fix-diy-t53950/

Again, thoughts?

I thought the rattle was while the window was in motion. Yeah, this is probably something different where either something is loose, or something got in there and has room to move around when the window is up.

[FC]

Too lazy to read the link, but either way, get the panel off and take a look.

[wdc330i]

I never had one fail on either of my two sedans nor the wagon. The convertible, however, has a suspicious thunk when lowering...