How To Replace A BMW E38 E39 Front Window Regulator For Under $30

[@gregsisk1043]

Awesome video! Just replaced the driver's window regulator and this video was incredibly helpful. My window was stuck on the closed position so the hardest part was getting the older one out. Once I did. It worked just like you demonstrated.

[@TheKeenMechanic]

Hi Nathan. As I own both E38 and E39 the knowledge learnt from this video will be put to good use.😉

[@NathansBMWWorkshop]

Thanks man

[@alkalineph9446]

Yeah I agree! They wanted $400 to do this job

[@myles5158]

@@NathansBMWWorkshop Nathan I have a question about my 2004 BMW 325i e46, I purchased a meyle window regulator for the right front and it doesn’t seem to fit the same as the oem one. The spot where the motor is bolted on to the regulator , the part where the bolts go on is different. There’s nothing for the motor to grip on to… so freakin weird.

[@jarhead9690]

Spray lubricant on the weatherstripping where the window touches. It will help the window move faster & less wear ‘n tear.

[@TheKeenMechanic]

I agree. I normally use motorcycle racing chain lube which sticks very well and stays in the cables to protect from moisture and lubricate

[@patrickboyle7883]

Great video! Thanks for explaining how to take the window out. I replaced my regulator yesterday in just over an hour. Cost: $36. And the adhesive on the vapor barrier was sticky enough to just put it back in place.

[@dion52t]

I'm glad to see you're feeling better man

[@wskeens]

Can you tell me which one you ordered off eBay ?

[@brianrowland9993]

Great low key but meaningful instructional video from Nathan that unlike other KZbin videos covers the challenges in doing the job professionally. Looks like a relatively easy job but I know it will take me at least 3 times as long to complete . But there's always great satisfaction in doing these jobs yourself and save a heap. It would be good to know which brands of regulator are worth buying - there's a lot of Chinese crap out there which is a waste of time and money. I will go for a German OEM because the car is worth it.

[@williamwoodard4412]

You really did a nice job with this. I have done all of them on my E39 over the last few years and the only thing I would say is the cheap regulators have tended to give problems. I upgraded to one that cost about $90 from URO Parts and the build quality is head and shoulders above the cheap ones. I have already replaced 2 over the last few years of the cheap ones.

[@cfoote2667]

Agreed DO NOT go super cheap on regulators, they will break when you least expect it!

[@yessiryousir]

I have had to do this 3 times on 2 different e39's and is probably the thing I hate most, not hard but time consuming and annoying, Nice video Nathan!

[@wes2473]

Def about to do this myself this WKnd the dealership quote was 900 bucks LMFAO

[@stevehlife4933]

Thanks for the video the info was spot on now have a working window again 30 min job and most of that was finding tool's. My cable had snapped and then pulled the window of it's mounts to but all done now for around 30 English pounds 😊

[@HollywoodHornet]

Holy crap, I finally got a notification you put out a video. Not that it matters to me cuz I check daily to see if you put a new video out. While you were in there, you should've shown what that exterior door handle looked like from the inside. Guess I'll repair my door handle when the spring weather hits.

[@NathansBMWWorkshop]

Well I will be doing 2 x5 door handles coming up, glad you got notified

[@Ps51bx]

Nathan thank you for the video, well done. My passenger front window does not slide up or down. Could it be something else and not the regulator?

[@bigmedge]

If you don’t hear a click when you press the window switch, it’s the window motor that’s faulty and not the regulator

[@devinguzman1527]

Dealership wanted to charge $800 to do it so this was helpful

[@josemedeiros007]

Great video and tutorial Nathan. I just replaced by Drivers side front and rear regulator that I bought the front from RockAuto, and the rear using your Amazon link in another video, both installed with out any problems. Can you add the Amazon or Ebay links to the front window regulator in your video description? Also RockAuto sells URO window regulator's with bearing's, do you think they are an improvement in the design and will last longer?

[@renosgarage7451]

2 window regulators broke the day I got the car, a third broke yesterday. I'm down to 1 working window and I've had the car 6 months

[@SixSpeedSeven]

its a 20+ year old car. what did you expect?

[@goclunker]

@@SixSpeedSevenworking windows

[@tombelieves]

I've replaced ALL of the regulators on my 1999 E39, and they all failed within one year. No longer want to use the cheap ones. Went up to the $80 version.

[@josemedeiros007]

Where they the URO brand with bearings? How are they holding up?

[@mikey_likes_it_]

Awesome vid. Thanks Nathan.

[@1995abdeen]

I have a e39 RHD. My right hand front driver side is not working. Will the front right hand side of a left hand drive e39 work?

[@curlzwalk]

Thanks man, really appreciate you!

[@michaelgonzalez9795]

About to put this video to work on my e39 thanks Nathan

[@michaelcoyle1062]

You are the MAN, Nathan. Keep it up! Thanks to you; I’ll save some $$$

[@brandonquintero5425]

What kind of glue do you recommend for gluing the panels back in place

[@nathanroberts8626]

Double sided tape works well

[@Funckinnutcase]

Just heat up the butyl tape they used originally, with a heat gun, and it'll restick.

[@thechronic555]

Not sure why he says glue. Butyl rope is sticky tar. You can buy it as a rope. It def does work.

[@MrRoundel]

Hey Nathan, thanks for the instructive videos. On this one, I have a question that I hope you can answer relatively quickly. Do the upper regulator bolts on the right and left pass through the upper pulleys? On the part I have the bolt will not pass through the pulley on the upper right side, as the outer section of the pulley hub is undersized by 1mm. I don't want to drill it out, but might end up doing so. So, any help on the bolts passing through the pulleys? Many thanks. Cheers.

[@northwestquest8806]

How do you get the window to lower down if your winow already dosent work before you start??? Bought my 740 with the front driver side "not working" and was told it just needs a new regulator. But im not sure how id go about replacement if the window is stuck rolled up...

[@chrisdub6363]

What kind of glue do you use to get these inside panel (liner) glued back in place so it doesn't leak water inside the car?

[@Check_This_Out188]

What if you motor died and window is all the way up. how to lower the window down so you could remove the torques to pull out the window?

[@josemedeiros007]

Cut the cables on the old window regulator that will allow you to lower it manually, that also happened on my rear window regulator, but the window motor was fine, it was my switch.

[@merijn1975]

Great job! Thanks for sharing.

[@robertrice1019]

Use liquid wrench silicone spray on the window tracks

[@seanl2863]

Hi, wonderful video tutorials but this task is above my confidence (rolls up & down but halfways only) so do you recommend to take it to the people who replaces windshields or to my regular mechanic? Thank you

[@BOA-ROMANIA]

Hi Ryan.. Short question.. I unplugged tge airbag whit the battery unplugged.. And it shows the sign on when i drive... What should I do

[@BOA-ROMANIA]

I unplugged because I thought I can't work with airbag attached

[@Funckinnutcase]

@GermanCarGuy I can't believe how many of these videos tell you to unplug and remove the airbag, when it's completely unnecessary. The worst part of KZbin DIY videos are the clowns that have no idea what they're doing.

[@sarognoraha4005]

great video mate, i just had to change the regulator on my E39 03 , though would be nightmare, but after looking at your instructions made my life very easy, only 60 AD $ and 3 hours on my time job was done, god bless , you the only youtube man(:

[@mariongreen9065]

I think my regulator probably out but it makes the noise it seems like it's not catching.

[@bigdeej_]

My window only goes up a 75% of the way what did I do wrong?

[@SharleneWhite-o2s]

The window has to be aligned exactly.I secured the window clamps with the window exactly aligned near the top of its travel through the access apertures. Great video.

[@JohnEIbuh]

Hi, I have a BMW e39 523i 1996 model which came with manual window regulator at rear.which I converted to electrical, but the auto electrician could not get the connections to regulate the rear windows from the rear doors. it only get regulated from the master regulator in front by the driver. Please help make a video showing how to make the connections. Also please help me get the English version of the owner manual, the manual that came with my car is written in German which i don't understand. Thanks. Looking forward to you please.

[@tjames4025]

Help, just replaced regulator, rolled up window fine, now won't come down. Appears seated right.

[@mohammedabdulhafeez8897]

Thank you for much

[@ogclassicjones332]

WOuld you post the part number please?

[@kevinvandevelde9789]

Ya make look easy Nathan just like Dean Does.

[@GodspeedSuperbeast]

You talk a LOT

[@NYyankeeboi]

Good luck finding one of those for under 50 dollars today.

[@mousaabdulateef9205]

جميل جدا فيديو مفيد ورائع

[@hairynames9704]

I hope you get your health back in order. Everything else is unimportant.

[@mikeymagic117]

I only open my window a couple of inches. I've heard and read too many stories about them failing.

[@kribar96]

Tbh ive never seen it fall on a bmw but ive seen with my own eyes on wv's and japanese cars of the same era

[@mikeymagic117]

@@kribar96 I try to prevent wear and tear from occuring. I don't even use the brakes in my car. I stop it with my feet.

[@BMWDoctor]

@@kribar96 that i agree they fail a HELL of alot on vw and audi but bmw its not somethinf really heard of here in the uk

[@TheKeenMechanic]

@@BMWDoctor I agree mate. I had to do it on every VAG car I have owned.VW passat twice, audi a3 and others. Never on any of my e39 and e38 bmw's but in all fairness I haven't had them for that long. Will see what happens in the future😄

[@mikeb2496]

Good idea from the guy who needs 2 regulators.....e36.

[@lomps]

Easy Peasey...yeah right

[@petnatcar]

$75 for a Chinese regulator or $350 from BMW ?