» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 04-02-2005, 09:42 PM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2 | My BMW is not too good Hi. I bought a 1995 BMW 318ti in October 2004. Since I purchased it I have had to get a new drivers side window regulator, ball joint, rotors, brake pads, and caliper. Now, I am faced with having to buy another window regulator with a window because the clips are missing that hold the window in right. So, if I roll the window down and shut the door the window falls out of place. Since the caliper problem I have had constant squeaks and smells. I have paid out so much and these parts are not cheap. Any ideas? | | | 04-02-2005, 09:50 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | Well brakes and rotors are consumables. Any car will need them. Not sure what happened to your caliper. The window sounds like it has broken plastic bushings. Many of use are plagued with it. I replaced my bushings a couple summers OK and have had no problems. The regulator is bent slightly but functional. There is no need to replace the window. Just a few dollars in parts unless the regulator is completely bent. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 04-02-2005, 10:18 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 | if you purchased the regulator at a bmw dealer it should still be under warranty. if you took it to a random mechanic, you're SOL, but it may explain the squeaks and smells. EDIT: typo. | | | 04-02-2005, 11:09 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: cali Posts: 338 | the plastic clips are like 2 dollars i had same prob just fix it and adjust it yourself thats what i did for both pasenger and drive side once __________________ Clean E36 | | | 04-03-2005, 06:58 AM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 368 | Quote: So, if I roll the window down and shut the door the window falls out of place. Any ideas? | Sounds like you may be missing one or both of the rubber/felt pieces that fit in the window guide channels. They fall out if you don't glue them in. Or the rear guide could be bent or broken from the last regulator failure. Also, if the new regulator was installed with the adjustment on the lower diagonal arm mounting bolt slid the wrong way, the window can fall out of the track when lowered. Trust me, I know it's frustrating. We've all either been there or will be eventually. | | | 04-03-2005, 02:13 PM | #6 | Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2 | The smells and the squeaks are coming from under my car or somewhere. The caliper was ruined and the mechanic kept thinking it was the hose. They would tell me it was fixed and I would drive the car with considerable power loss (the caliper was actually stuck, trying to stop the rotor and I was driving against this resistance!!) and my wheel has actually turned a darker color because it got so hot. The mechanic actually lied to me at the end and said he put a new caliper on it. I drove it and it got hot. I took it to another garage and he said the caliper that was on it was old and it was probably just my old one as it didn't appear to have been changed. So, they ordered a new caliper ($299.99 for just the part- after a month of not having my car)My car was fine before all of this. It ran like a dream. Now, I am plagued by burning smells, squeaks from brakes or somewhere. As for the window, it needed the regulator when I first got it. However, the clips or whatever they were were messed up. So, after I have the new regulator installed they tell me that the only way I can get those clips is to get a new regulator with the window kit. I hate to pay that much more money out for something they overlooked in the beginning. It is not my fault they were not thorough in diagnosing the problem initially. I bought this car because it was my "dream car" and now I cannot afford to keep having all this stuff done to it. I am just at my wits end. | | | 04-03-2005, 05:09 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: cary, nc Posts: 2,259 | my car is the same way...something is ALWAYS breaking on it __________________ 1995 318ti Active Pioneer Speakers [] Aluminum Billet door locks [] ACS Pedals/Deadrest [] ACS Shift Knob / E-Brake Handle [] Clear Corners/Tails/Sides [] Sylvania Exterior Lighting [] Custom CAI [] Dinan Engine Chip [] Dinan Transmission Chip [] H&R Race Springs [] Tokico Illumina Shocks [] BMW X-Brace [] Relocated Lighter Mod [] Custom iPod Mod http://www.cardomain.com/id/robcarync | | | 04-03-2005, 10:07 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 120 | BMW does not know how to make windows, i dont know why. i have 2 broken windows right now, the regulator arms are bent on both of them. im to lazy to fix it __________________ 95' black 318i fogged airbox, understeer SSK, euro clear corners, blacked out kidney grill, custom (black) painted side skirts and bumpers, PBR brake pads, zimmerman rotors, | | | 04-03-2005, 10:50 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | I've owner several different cars with similar failures. A small preventative maintenance item seems to help. I use Solder Seal silcone spray. Put the little tube on the spray nozzle and use it to spray the tracks/guides every time you change the oil. Takes about 2 minutes to do and lubricates the two highest friction areas. Window binding seems to cascade into failures in the lift system. What I find is that the german auto companies suck at making rubber. I've owned VW's, Porcshes, audi's and they all had problems with rubber getting hard and brittle, usually in less than 10 years of age. If you have a german car over 10 years old just plan on replacing any rubber parts. Especially bushings, brake lines, and window/sunroof seals. __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 04-04-2005, 01:45 AM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Colyumbia S.C. Posts: 101 | the clips are sold seperatley, the caliper has a list of $99 for a reman. I hate it when shops ream customers just because it is a BMW. That is why I now run my own shop. My last employer charged a lady $124 for a E-box fan that had a dealer list of $62 just because he knew they would have to pay it. | | | 04-04-2005, 03:20 AM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 | Quote: Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead What I find is that the german auto companies suck at making rubber. I've owned VW's, Porcshes, audi's and they all had problems with rubber getting hard and brittle, usually in less than 10 years of age. | um, how long is rubber supposed to last, in your opinion? | | | 04-04-2005, 04:24 AM | #12 | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 | i was going to say, find a new shop! sounds like they are ripping you off and lying to you. ask around to find a decent and reputable shop in your area. if you're willing and able, i would also suggest starting to learn to do some maintenance yourself. the cars are generally quite reliable when maintained properly. i have over 200k miles on my car and most everything has been routine maintenance issues. don't let poor experiences with a repair shop discourage you about the car, get a new shop! __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts 2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | 04-04-2005, 04:52 AM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: cary, nc Posts: 2,259 | my window fell down today it was the one that fell down and i never really fixed it though. i still didtn fix it...i just eased the window up with some help so the window stays up now...but eventually ill have to call the shop and see if i can get them to drill out the rivets and replace the regulator...anyone have an idea for the cost of this project? and my tint is really scratched up too...i need that fixed up too! __________________ 1995 318ti Active Pioneer Speakers [] Aluminum Billet door locks [] ACS Pedals/Deadrest [] ACS Shift Knob / E-Brake Handle [] Clear Corners/Tails/Sides [] Sylvania Exterior Lighting [] Custom CAI [] Dinan Engine Chip [] Dinan Transmission Chip [] H&R Race Springs [] Tokico Illumina Shocks [] BMW X-Brace [] Relocated Lighter Mod [] Custom iPod Mod http://www.cardomain.com/id/robcarync | | | 04-04-2005, 05:21 PM | #14 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 3,244 | Quote: Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead I've owner several different cars with similar failures. A small preventative maintenance item seems to help. I use Solder Seal silcone spray. Put the little tube on the spray nozzle and use it to spray the tracks/guides every time you change the oil. Takes about 2 minutes to do and lubricates the two highest friction areas. | pdx- so you pop off the interior door panels to do this? Mine have not been a problem so far. Is this better than say lithium grease? __________________ My Former Rides 1999 318ti Alpine White, Cali Roof, Dinan goodies 1996 318ti Hellrot California Edition | | | 04-04-2005, 05:40 PM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | Quote: Originally Posted by aceyx um, how long is rubber supposed to last, in your opinion? | I've had German window gaskets die in 1 year. The "cheap" chinese made ones last me > 10. Hmm... I've owned numerous american cars that wer over 40 years old with the original rubber in fine shape(With notable exceptions like the GM sunroof/t-top gaskets..... I've never seen a porsche or VW with gaskets that looked good at 10 years. Most ar cracking or hard unless owned by a total enthusiast who kept them treated. Just my 2 cents. Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |