[Bighorns]

So it seems that the life-span of the rear window actuators on the E90 is 5 years, given my experience. We bought our '06 325i a little over 2 1/2 years ago, and thank God we got the extended warranty, because the passengers side rear broke in January, and just 2 weeks ago the drivers side rear broke. I hope the front ones are built a little better!

[username604]

General question here, what causes them to fail? Time or use?

[mike3000fl]

06 330i, right rear broke this year.

[ItsmeX5]

rear right broke as well 06 330...not an expensive fix really its like 95$ from tischer bmw and straight forward diy

[axis]

My passenger rear just broke about a week ago. 08/06 build 330i.

[fenixxishot]

I would say use is main cause of failure. They are typically just a small electric motor and the more they are used the more likely they will fail. But this thread makes me wonder if a dif motor is used for the fronts bc usually fronts are used substantial more than rears.

Please don't feel great about spending 2k plus on an extended warranty for a 100 diy lol.

[Bighorns]

Originally Posted by fenixxishot

I would say use is main cause of failure. They are typically just a small electric motor and the more they are used the more likely they will fail. But this thread makes me wonder if a dif motor is used for the fronts bc usually fronts are used substantial more than rears.

Please don't feel great about spending 2k plus on an extended warranty for a 100 diy lol.

3 brake jobs, several services, the 2 windows, and an intermittent trunk latch problem make me feel ok about it. I will surely learn to do all of this myself once the warranty is up.

[Bighorns]

Originally Posted by persianamir

rear right broke as well 06 330...not an expensive fix really its like 95$ from tischer bmw and straight forward diy

Good to know for future reference. The stealership gets $300 just for the parts.

[fenixxishot]

Extended service is dif than extended warranty. Extended service is typically a break even unless you do the work yourself. I was comparing ur two window regs to the cost of ext warranty if u add the truck latch problem ur still pretty far away from ur warranty cost. I'm not trying to bash u not having to worry about potential prob is def worth something.

Originally Posted by Bighorns

3 brake jobs, several services, the 2 windows, and an intermittent trunk latch problem make me feel ok about it. I will surely learn to do all of this myself once the warranty is up.

[axis]

Originally Posted by fenixxishot

I would say use is main cause of failure. They are typically just a small electric motor and the more they are used the more likely they will fail. But this thread makes me wonder if a dif motor is used for the fronts bc usually fronts are used substantial more than rears.

Please don't feel great about spending 2k plus on an extended warranty for a 100 diy lol.

The actuator is what the motor turns to raise and lower the window. They are separate parts. The motor is actually pretty beefy looking. It is normally the actuator that breaks, not the motor.

Also, I bought my car used, so I can't speak for the previous owners.. but I rarely ever roll my windows down. The windows are tinted and I don't have the scratching a lot of people complain about so I would like to think the previous owners didn't roll them down much either so I really don't know if the breakage is from a lot of use or not. The way the cable end connects to the plastic piece that breaks, it has a spring that is putting constant pressure on the plastic so I'm thinking it is more a combination of age and the plastic piece getting weak over time.

[dmorga1]

I wonder if tint increases the resistance to roll up/down. It definitely adds some drag/thickness. Maybe the bigger issue is most tint shops open up your doors to get the tint all the way down the glass (at least I've seen a lot that remove panels), so who knows what that does to fit and operation?

Did anyone notice them straining or moving slower over time? Mine seem great, and I have an early build '06 330i. I rarely roll down any window but driver's, so I hope I don't fall into this camp.

[Express]

i honestly think the last time i used my windows was when i got pulled over...

[WayneDoodle]

06 330i right rear went out a few weeks ago. I use my driver's side window everyday to get on post and it has not went out in five years.

[username604]

seems to me like it's happening with age...

[JunkStory]

Originally Posted by dmorga1

I wonder if tint increases the resistance to roll up/down. It definitely adds some drag/thickness. Maybe the bigger issue is most tint shops open up your doors to get the tint all the way down the glass (at least I've seen a lot that remove panels), so who knows what that does to fit and operation?

+1 I would definitely think so.

[John 070]

Why wouldn't they be for the life of the car?

[ABerry]

actually the most likely cause of failure is not using them... talk to any reputable mechanic.. you should always use your windows at least on occassion

[alpineweissM3]

The e46 had weak window regulators as well.

Come on BMW!!

[achien]

luck. poor QC by BMW

Originally Posted by davidkneiber

General question here, what causes them to fail? Time or use?

[apc3libras]

Originally Posted by ABerry

actually the most likely cause of failure is not using them... talk to any reputable mechanic.. you should always use your windows at least on occassion

I have heard this from both the BMW dealer and indy shops as well.

[mike-y]

My left rear regulator broke earlier this year (also a 2006), and it's the window I use the least.

Really, the only part that broke on the regulator was the plastic saddle that the window sits in that the cables pull up and down. why BMW makes this part out of plastic is beyond me, but once that breaks, there is a good chance that your cables will get jammed up inside the pulley mechanism.

The motor itself was fine, I just popped in a new regulator assembly. Took longer to remove and reinstall the door panel than it does to actually replace the regulator!

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by mike3000fl

06 330i, right rear broke this year.

Originally Posted by persianamir

rear right broke as well 06 330...not an expensive fix really its like 95$ from tischer bmw and straight forward diy

Originally Posted by axis

My passenger rear just broke about a week ago. 08/06 build 330i.

Damn it.....