BMW 330I window problem

[slybry]

Here I am in Florida staying at a friends house while he is away on business. We are here for 2 weeks and he insisted we use his car. It is a 2001 BMW 330I so how could I resist.

2nd day I am in a parking lot waiting for my wife and I roll down all the windows to cool off. When I rolled them up the rear passenger side window made a horrible crashing noise and would not come up. I managed to pull it up manually and luckily it stays up. The window does not seem to be broken even though the it sounded like glass breaking.

What luck. I borrow a car and now I have to explain that something broke. I would like to fix it but this is no small repair. I sure being a BMW I am looking at $500 for this.

My intention was to completely detail the car for him while he was away but I was not planning on shelling out $500 for something that is not my fault.

Window stays up but creeps down a bit as we drive over bumps. Car is not secure as anyone can just push window down manually.

I know there is not much advice that can be given but just wanted to pass along this story.

As far and the car is concerned. It did not blow me away immediatly. Bu it grows on you. The power is amazing but the ergonomics suck. Maybe I will post a mini review later on my likes and dislikes. One dislike will definately be the windows. Ha Ha Ha

[airbalancer]

try searching
http://www.bimmerfest.com/
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/

[articsteve]

I would like to fix it but this is no small repair. I sure being a BMW I am looking at $500 for this.

I would like to fix it but this is no small repair

Your not kidding.  Just getting the interior door trim off is a major effort.

I sure being a BMW I am looking at $500 for this.

Definitely.  $500 in USD     BMW install the most retarded window assemblies.  Lots to do with this extra pressure that is applied to the window just after the window closes (makes contact with frame).  Just a few days ago I got rid of my beloved 525.  One rear window stuck closed, the other working intermittently, driver's window  very slow and the front passenger already replaced.  Big relays under the rear seat; a real nightmare cost wise.

[tpl]

try  www.bimrs.org   for an independent bmw shop where you are at there are 5 in Florida

[initial_D]

Bimmer window motors gets blown out more often most people would like. All 3 Bimmers I have / had required some of the window lift motors replaced, even on a newer E46 (under warranty, thankfully).

The up/down switches for the window requires regular cleaning, the contacts for the power gets dirt buildup in them very easily. At lease for the 3-series.

[barrie1]

I would suspect the actuator in them to get weak after it gets covered in dirt and or the lift mechanism doing the same. This will put a lot of stress on the electric motors which of course will cause premature wear on them. Sure glad my Caddie parts are a lot cheaper then that to fix as of the 3 I own now they all work well in this respect in all 4 doors of each. 

[initial_D]

Nothing is built like a Caddie, that is for sure. They last forever. 

[barrie1]

Don't know if I would say forever but they can last a long time for sure. mine all have so far.