Is this a hard maintenance to do?

[tmihaylov]

Hey Guys,

So I had the lovely experience last Monday to be greeted by this sight :(. Picture are attached at the bottom. Since you guys are more experienced, do you think I should do the work myself or fork over the 500$ deposit to my insurance and let them have the car for a week to fix. I quoted parts from the dealer to be 300$ but im just a little scared of the work, not sure if I have the knowledge to do it all. It's the middle member that was bent that's scaring me. I haven't found anything related to it on the forums as well as in the bentley manual on how to replace it. I plan on replacing everything because the guys picked at it with a screwdriver and tore up the rubber under it. Then finally decided to just break the window. All for a lousy 30$ 6 year old ipod. Anyone have experience with replacing the support between the small and main window on the rear door? DIY's hopefully :)?

:(

[jamesdc4]

This window regulator repair/replacement DIY on an E38 shows how the trim piece is removed.
Window regulator REAR >99 with airbag and double glazing (http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/351445/)
(http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/351445/)Teaser pics:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/homerraas/original/image00109.jpg

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/homerraas/original/image00107.jpg

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/homerraas/original/image00110.jpg

[Jgordon0505]

I would probably have somebody professionally fix that. It's one thing when a window is broken, but with the middle part bent like that I'd be afraid the glass may not sit correctly if you try and repair it.

EDIT: Actually the DIY looks pretty good, so it looks like it is doable.

[jmai86]

DIY may be simple and do-able, but I personally would have it done "professionally" if it's gonna be insurance-paid.

Too many times in the past have I taken apart something, and then have it "not-quite-oem" anymore afterward, even if it's a simple job. Little creaks, little misaligned edges, etc etc are things that just happen when something is taken apart from its factory install, even if its put back precisely and carefully... sure you could adjust things and whatnot, but why, when you could have someone else do it? If they mess up or don't do it exactly right, you can make em redo it until its right (usually).

When I was driving older cars, these little things didint really matter, but now that I drive a fairly newer car, I'm always hesitant about body-related diy work.
(Engine and suspension work I'll ALWAYS do myself lol).

Now if insurance WASN'T gonna pay for it, that's a whole nother story. I'd diy in that case (but would whine and b*tch about it).
:)

[tmihaylov]

Thanks James! I was looking for something just like this. Makes it fairly straightforward now but i would have never figured the trim would slide right up :| Anyway, to clarify, Jmai i completely agree with you regarding bodywork and having somebody do it but insurance will not cover it all. I pay 500 deductible, and they cover the rest. I got the whole job quoted by dealer for 800$ but i still pay 500. Looking at the job, it doesn't look too difficult and i could end up saving 200$ on this and have my car back as soon as parts come in rather than wait for a body shop for a whole week. That and I also prefer to do my own work because i know exactly how my car is handled during the repair.

[Xeniczone]

I would actually see if you can somehow avoid the insurance company and just pay it yourself, but I agree have this professionally done. The last thing you want to do is buy a new glass have a hard time getting it in there and drop it. Tempered glass is strong on the surface, but on the edges, it doesn't take much to make it shatter.

If you go through the insurance company they will keep the claim on record and your rates will go up. So if the job costs 600 dollars at a body shop, and your deductible is 500, I would just pay the 600 and avoid making my rates go up. Even if you have "accident forgiveness" where your given something like 1 free claim for year without harming your rates. I would save that for something like running your car fire hydrant because you thought it was your mother-in-law. :D

[fudman]

If you go through the insurance company they will keep the claim on record and your rates will go up.

This usually only applies to accidents that are covered under collision or liability. This (theft) would be covered under comprehensive, which should not cause an increase in your rates.

[Skwisgaar]

This usually only applies to accidents that are covered under collision or liability. This (theft) would be covered under comprehensive, which should not cause an increase in your rates.

This.

If it's only $200 more to have the job done professionally, I'd cough it up.

[Iwantoneofthose]

if you do decide to do it yourself, i might be able to help as i'm in the same sh#thole city as you are

[99 IS Coupe]

This usually only applies to accidents that are covered under collision or liability. This (theft) would be covered under comprehensive, which should not cause an increase in your rates.

+1.

Had some person who hit my Volvo 850 turbo in a parking lot one evening, didn't notice it until the next morning. Sent photos to insurance agent, no-fault claim was filed. Something reminds me that I did pay the 250 deductable, but it wound up at a bodyshop being a $950 job. So I came out well all things considered.

Body work can get costly & complicated, but that DIY dosen't look bad if you can enlist a friend to help out. Buy them pizza and you ought to be able to do it fairly easliy. :redspot

[tmihaylov]

Thanks for all the replies guys! Much appreciated!!

Iwantoneofthose - this happened in Davis, CA as I go to school there but santa clara's not so bad ;) Just a little quiet.

As far as the repair, car's at the dealer. I'll just let them take care of it and fork over my deductible. Insurance came by and commented to replace everything associated with the window including the rubber mating surfaces and what nots. I won't argue, if they write it off and agree to pay for it, i don't mind having peace of mind that it was done correctly. And worse case scenario, if it comes back not to my standard, i'll just go harass the dealer to fix it right! Unfortunately, got another week and a half till they finish it. Again, thanks you all that replied! :)