Window Regulators: Go Cheap or OEM?

[vtraudt]

I'd like to know more about this...no sense in replacing the entire regulator if you can get just the failing component. I've got the same exact problem in my car. Front passenger window squeeks and strains getting up and as soon as temps drop below freezing, I cant get it up without manually "helping" it up. Comes off track sometimes when it comes to that...

Typical sign that one of your clips is broken. Glass is now pushed only on one side. Tilts slightly and binds in its tracks. If you continue, good chance the other clip breaks, too, glass drops down. You can 'help' the glass up by clamping the glass between both hands (one outside, one inside) on one or the other end (the one with the one broken clip).

Replace both clips. They age, become brittle and break. I only sell in pairs.

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/RegulatorFix-S.../dp/B00BT1GNIW

Website: http://regulatorfix.com/product_info.php?products_id=75

Tutorial DIY on website: http://regulatorfix.com/tutorials.php

Contact: info@regulatorfix.com

[daytonatrbo]

Typical sign that one of your clips is broken. Glass is now pushed only on one side. Tilts slightly and binds in its tracks. If you continue, good chance the other clip breaks, too, glass drops down. You can 'help' the glass up by clamping the glass between both hands (one outside, one inside) on one or the other end (the one with the one broken clip).

Replace both clips. They age, become brittle and break. I only sell in pairs.

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/RegulatorFix-S.../dp/B00BT1GNIW

Website: http://regulatorfix.com/product_info.php?products_id=75

Tutorial DIY on website: http://regulatorfix.com/tutorials.php

Contact: info@regulatorfix.com

I see you've updated your design. I bought some back in 2013 from your ebay store that were the yellowish nylon looking stuff.



Happy to say I've had your old clips in my driver's door for almost 2 years without any issues. I bought enough to do the passenger door, but its still hanging in there on the (afaik) original parts.

Actually, it looks like you are still selling that style on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-series...item2c64a7fcdb

[vtraudt]

I see you've updated your design. I bought some back in 2013 from your ebay store that were the yellowish nylon looking stuff.



Happy to say I've had your old clips in my driver's door for almost 2 years without any issues. I bought enough to do the passenger door, but its still hanging in there on the (afaik) original parts.

Actually, it looks like you are still selling that style on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-series...item2c64a7fcdb

Yes and no. We have 2 different styles, but consider them interchangeable. the 'yellowish nylon' is a stiffer (similar to ABS) material, but does not have the excellent wear characteristics of POM. The 'white' plastic is POM. For very elaborate shapes (some BMW clips), the ABS provides better stiffness. For the E46, we have no issues with either material. But recently, we have stocked the POM for the E46 (white, but also yellow; colors may vary, same material; have some cute PINK Passat rear clips!).

[407Rotorhead]

I guess my only issue with this is that this is a very common problem, so I don't think OEM has the corner on these parts.

[vtraudt]

I guess my only issue with this is that this is a very common problem, so I don't think OEM has the corner on these parts.

Very true. Applies to ALL OEM/makes. And is a common practice (to NOT stock/offer individual components of a system but only the entire subsystem). I started RegulatorFix out of the refusal to pay $250 (1998 Audi A4 front window clip broke) if only a $10 plastic part failed. But I do not go as far as blaming the OEM for this practice. The part lasts 10 years or so. The subsystem costs $250.

BTW this practice applies to all ways of life. Pretty sure six sigma black belts and lean manufacturing guys can explain WHY the OEMs (in all industries where mass manufacturing is common) HAVE to do it this way. No one changes a chip on a motherboard; you get a complete motherboard. Ditto on TVs, where the entire electronics are combined onto 3-4 boards. A 10 cent transistor/diode/capacitor goes, you need to buy the whole board. Or find a crafty 'regulatorfix' who know which part common fails, and gets it for you to solder in.

[davintosh]

Very true. Applies to ALL OEM/makes. And is a common practice (to NOT stock/offer individual components of a system but only the entire subsystem). I started RegulatorFix out of the refusal to pay $250 (1998 Audi A4 front window clip broke) if only a $10 plastic part failed. But I do not go as far as blaming the OEM for this practice. The part lasts 10 years or so. The subsystem costs $250.

BTW this practice applies to all ways of life. Pretty sure six sigma black belts and lean manufacturing guys can explain WHY the OEMs (in all industries where mass manufacturing is common) HAVE to do it this way. No one changes a chip on a motherboard; you get a complete motherboard. Ditto on TVs, where the entire electronics are combined onto 3-4 boards. A 10 cent transistor/diode/capacitor goes, you need to buy the whole board. Or find a crafty 'regulatorfix' who know which part common fails, and gets it for you to solder in.

Well said. I hate the whole cheaper to replace it than to fix it mentality these days. Kudos to you for the service you provide.

Now I made myself feel guilty for not buying your wares.

[vtraudt]

Now I made myself feel guilty for not buying your wares.

There is always a next time (remember your door lock!, and rear window clips, and door panel fasteners): www.RegulatorFix.com

[daytonatrbo]

There is always a next time (remember your door lock!, and rear window clips, and door panel fasteners): www.RegulatorFix.com

Careful, man. If you aren't a "supporting vendor" you can get in trouble for publishing your ads and site on the board.

You should look into it. We need more good vendors on the board

[vtraudt]

Careful, man. If you aren't a "supporting vendor" you can get in trouble for publishing your ads and site on the board.

You should look into it. We need more good vendors on the board

You are right; understood. I will refrain from further "ads".

Unfortunately, the 'business' volume of providing hard to get inexpensive repair solutions does not allow to bear the cost of advertisement (of any kind). I am likely already in trouble for not paying myself the legal minimum wage (another cost factor the the 'business' can't bear).

But there is hope for the end user: I recently spotted on ebay a seller (China) who is offering one my clips for $2.99 shipped (yes, from China). I pay $2.32 for the stamp, $0.12 for the envelope. Add another $0.20 for printer ink, packaging tape. So without time or paypal/Amazon/ebay fees AND WITHOUT THE COST OF THE PRODUCT, my cost are $2.64. Not complaining, this is a global economy. Just an explanation why neither the volume nor the margins can justify advertisement. Word of mouth works, though. And trying to stay ahead of the game by keeping informed (thank goodness for car forums like Bimmerforum, Audizine, etc.) and constantly finding/adding helpful products (recently: X3 and X5 transfer case actuator gear), including little helpful things (fasteners, other darn plastic pieces, etc.).

[SilverSaloon69]

Careful, man. If you aren't a "supporting vendor" you can get in trouble for publishing your ads and site on the board.

You should look into it. We need more good vendors on the board

I agree. All of this is very helpful. I checked out his site and it's good stuff.

[vtraudt]

I agree. All of this is very helpful. I checked out his site and it's good stuff.

Thanks.
I wish I
a) could devote more time to it
b) knew more about the website stuff; son put up what is shown, but site got wiped out by hosting company without backup, and we only had old status to upload. Lots of mistakes, products missing, prices not correct, etc.
c) would find a US manufacturer willing to make existing parts (and new parts I can't get for me) at fairly low quantities instead of having to rely on my manufacturers in Europe. Those I contacted (who advertise 'low quantity' and 'prototyping' gave me the cold shoulder right away). Pretty sure those crafty folks in China would show more interest in working with me?

[Codeman]

Does your X5/X3 transfer case actuator gear also fit the E46 Xi? I think they have a few parts in common, like the trans case bushing.

[daytonatrbo]

Does your X5/X3 transfer case actuator gear also fit the E46 Xi? I think they have a few parts in common, like the trans case bushing.

There's nothing to actuate in the xi transfer case.

Its a fixed gear design with a fixed torque split based on a planetary gear set.

I've read that the 05 models actually got xDrive, but I've yet to see that to be the case.

[vtraudt]

Does your X5/X3 transfer case actuator gear also fit the E46 Xi? I think they have a few parts in common, like the trans case bushing.

I don't think so. But here are some photos of what the X3 and X5 guys are dealing with regarding their transfer case: the worm gear only moving a few degrees back/forth wear out the mating gear in this area. The fiberglass reinforce or carbon fiber CFRP gear (shown) fixes the problem.

[hmgold20]

My left rear window was a couple inches open (a friend opened it the other night when it was 20 degrees outside) and when i went to close it the window came down instead of up and won't close. I had to take it to BMW to fix it because it's going to snow tomorrow and I can't have an open window. I spent 540 bucks on them installing a new window regulator!

My question is: is this common in a 2006 325i with about 60K miles on it or was opening it in the below freezing weather what did it?

Thanks!

[vtraudt]

I spent 540 bucks on them installing a new window regulator!

My question is: is this common in a 2006 325i with about 60K miles on it or was opening it in the below freezing weather what did it?

Thanks!

Pretty common actually (9 year old car and plastic clips). What likely 'did you in' is the combination of age (plastic becomes brittle) and temperature. When you activated your power windows, those 2 factors may have let to the clips breaking (and not connected to the cables anymore) and dropping down.