[CSBM5]

We've had the E90 330i since new, and the rear windows (actually any windows) have hardly ever been rolled down. The right rear broke on it last year. It wasn't being rolled down but just dropped about 1/2" while driving along. Our E91 had both rears break within less than one year of each other (2016, 2017), but having purchased that 3 years ago, I have no idea how much they were used.

The last two regulators we replaced, I bought off Amazon for less than $30 shipped. My wife and I are regulator replacement experts at this point. I compared the Amazon sourced regulator with the BMW factory part, and I could not find any difference. So far they've held up fine, but since they're so easy to replace I wouldn't consider paying the 5x+ higher fee for the dealer part even if they failed every few years.

[LittleBlue]

Both of my rear went out 3 months apart just last year! sounding really loud, scared the you know what out of me.
Replaced both with OEM, and was done in less than an hour each door.

[phillycx]

Originally Posted by gde061

After pulling doors apart for the repair, I now have turned into that grumpy dad who yells at the kids -- stop playing with the windows or you'll break them. It's like we've gone backwards in time. My wife thinks I'm being an ass, but I tell her: you want to spend the weekend taking the door apart and putting it back together? Which might be why I can't talk to her about car stuff and I like to come on forums like this for a laugh or two and maybe learn something! Honestly, I ask how many men would prefer to listen to the wife jabber on about her new purse and who she saw at the hair-dresser than read about engine tear downs and cars blowing up?!

Indeed. 🍻

[2007Frank328i]

Both of my rear OEM regulators went out, cables twisted up. I replaced both with aftermarket regulators for about $20 each. The left cable wrapped up after a couple years followed by the right one a week later. I just installed what looks to be an "upgraded" design with cable shields to keep the cable aligned. Price was $20.29 each from discount body parts dot com. Much easier to install than the first ones were.

[mainbearing]

Both rear windows' regulators broke. The original junk have plastic spool housing. I used an aftermarket with plastic that did not last long. The new Aisin regulators on there now (both sides) have metal housing for the center spools.

No telling how long these are going to last, but given Aisin is Toyota, maybe forever?




https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...php?p=27601842

[Mike K]

Thanks alot for the info! Gotta a link where you sourced these Aisin regulators?

[mainbearing]

See post 17 here https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=17

You can use Aisin's catalog to find the proper part for your car. It may be different from the results returned in that post.

https://www.aisinaftermarket.com/

Originally Posted by Mike K

Thanks alot for the info! Gotta a link where you sourced these Aisin regulators?

[Mike K]

Thanks again. Looks like for my 2011 e91 328i the Aisin rear window regulators are RPB 13 & RPB 14 respectively..

[mousefarmer]

I've replaced both the front and rear drivers side on BMW e90 330i 2006 and the rear one on drivers side on 2007 328i.

[BMW325]

Hi All,

Recently got a BMW 325i e90 2006
And I believe my right rear window regulator has gone
It’s make some sounds and just wouldn’t go up but could
Go down but obviously it’s stuck down now I can hear it
Trying to come up just no movement should I just replace the
Whole thing as in windows regulator with motor ? And
Is there anywhere you can get this as a full metal replacement
To stop from happening again and one last thing should
I just get and aftermarket or does it need to be genuine.
Thanks in advance cheers

[lordnikon]

Originally Posted by BMW325

Hi All,

Recently got a BMW 325i e90 2006
And I believe my right rear window regulator has gone
It’s make some sounds and just wouldn’t go up but could
Go down but obviously it’s stuck down now I can hear it
Trying to come up just no movement should I just replace the
Whole thing as in windows regulator with motor ? And
Is there anywhere you can get this as a full metal replacement
To stop from happening again and one last thing should
I just get and aftermarket or does it need to be genuine.
Thanks in advance cheers

You can transfer the motor to the new regulator. You don't have to use Genuine. Aisin seems to be pretty good alternative, better than dorman garbage.

[BMW325]

Yeah I could do that although alot of people have been saying if you change the regulator you should change the motor as well

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by BMW325

Yeah I could do that although alot of people have been saying if you change the regulator you should change the motor as well

Never heard of the motors failing, if it’s fine don’t replace it

[Bmw1939]

They get stuck at the top of the window when not used for a while. When the motor engages they snap.

[ny325]

Curious what the average cost is to have it repaired.

[BMW325]

Yeah it’s a massive pain I’m
Just hoping I can at least get the window up this arvo so I can drive the car until I get the regulator! The average price is $320-$500 but I can get the part for around $80 so it’s a no brainer do it myself I reckon

[GoRomeo]

E90 Both of my rear ones broke about the same year I think. Originals lasted me about 12 yrs. Bought some on Ebay and replaced them myself.

Front original ones are still working after 18 yrs. Knock on wood 🪵 of course. ☝️😊

[crashoverride]

The motor almost never needs to be replaced. The rears almost always fail. The front seem to last longer and occasionally fail. Kids using the window are not the cause of pre-mature failure.
The plastic clip is most often the cause of failure. Less often is the windings and cable guide.
It's not a fun project. It is relatively easy. Once you figure out how to fish things in and out and avoid the black tar. But you can save two hundred dollars plus by doing it yourself.
Wedging a piece of wood under window etc can temporarily hold the window up while you wait for the part.

[mainbearing]

The design of the BMW regulator is weak and possibly the mounting positions in the doors are wrong, causing increased stress on the plastic parts.

I use Aisin (Toyota) regulators now, which are improved design. Note the differences in the two pictures on the Aisin sheet below.



https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2047700

[Bmw1939]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

The design of the BMW regulator is weak and possibly the mounting positions in the doors are wrong, causing increased stress on the plastic parts.

I use Aisin (Toyota) regulators now, which are improved design. Note the differences in the two pictures on the Aisin sheet below.



https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2047700

I like this! My wifes old Toyota regulators were great.

[StradaRedlands]

FWIW I was determined to do this job as cheaply as possible, and bought this rebuild kit. Works fine: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rch_asin_title

[Bims328i]

The ones that stay in the sun the most. Mainly in this regard with doors. Extreme heat cycles will play a role in accelerated deterioration of inter door components. The plastic will be more prone to becoming brittle and cracking resulting in a broken regulator.

Also using the two rear windows less means they will be more prone to sticking at which point the sticking of rubber to glass might exceed the torque specs for older plastic assemblies which can break because the glass is almost glue stuck to the rubber weather stripping it contacts with. So after months of not rolling down rear windows you finally do however the glass is basically glued to the gasket there and when you try to roll it down the torque goes through the roof and breaks some weak part.

Pretty simple. The regulators on mine have been good for a long time. Never put silicone down in the tracks or anything. Sometimes when detailing I will help the rear windows down with some pressure so because the glass likes to get stuck to the rubber sealing after sitting for so long.