Window Regulator or Clips Replacement?

Hi, so the driver's side window of my 328 keeps making a clicking noise as I roll my window up/down. It sounds like something is hitting the glass and now my window is off balance, making a tiny gap in the top left corner.
When I close my door it sounds like there's a piece that broke off & is in the door. I know in most cases, it just needs a new regulator, but the window still goes up & down fine, just makes the noise from the inside.
When I did the passenger's side regulator last summer, my window would at least get stuck & then would constantly slide down.
So someone told me that my driver's side might just need the regulator clips and not a whole new regulator.
Any opinions so I know if I need to spend about $30 or $130? LOL.

Regulators at bmaparts.com are pretty cheap. $55 a side for sedans. not sure about coupes. You might be able to get by and replace the clips but honestly you don't know what lies behind that door panel. just save yourself some time and buy a new regulator.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Regulators at bmaparts.com are pretty cheap. $55 a side for sedans. not sure about coupes. You might be able to get by and replace the clips but honestly you don't know what lies behind that door panel. just save yourself some time and buy a new regulator.

^^^
This.

I just did mine. Easy install and now they go up and down no problem. My driver side made a clicking sound for about two weeks. Then it died.

Yea, I always dread that noise. My passenger side is doing that as we speak. I've learned to just replace it.

If the regulator is not shot you can fix it with a tie-wrap. Some good DIY's on this site.

Fixing your regulator with a tie wrap is sort of like going to a car crusher and saying "Hi please crush my car"

Yea, mine's been making that sound for about a month now. Just haven't gotten around to fixing it since it's still working lol.
Just ordered the new regulator this morning so just gonna get it done this weekend.
Thanks for the opinions!

Post pictures please of the coupe regulator install. I've never seen this done on a coupe.

Opinions. E46Fanatics offers plenty of them.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Post pictures please of the coupe regulator install. I've never seen this done on a coupe.

Opinions. E46Fanatics offers plenty of them.

Can you also supply the DIY site for regulator replacement? Thanks.

Edit: Never mind. Found it at DIY pg 7.

Need to replace rear window regulators.is it fairly easy DIY? Since there are no air bags to disconnect? I really want to do it myself but afraid I might mess up...
I'm pretty good at putting furniture and electronics together

Yes. Fairly easy. No airbags, no need to disconnect battery etc. You'll find instructions on the site.

In my opinion, trying to fix a broken regulator with a zip-tie is a temporary bandaid that may or may not hold up. Your window regulator is going to fail sooner or later. If you are going to spend the time to take the door apart, do yourself a favor and replace the following parts:

window regulator - duh
vapor barrier sealant. Dealer sold me a 15-foot roll of 3M Window Weld and it works great. 1 roll was enough for both front doors on my sedan. Coupe doors are larger and may require more.
plastic window clip. 2 required for each front window, 1 required for each rear window - 51338218383
bolt for window clip. 1 required PER CLIP - 07147154229
"bushing"/captive nut for window clip. 1 required PER CLIP - 51338242760

Originally Posted by LeMansteve

In my opinion, trying to fix a broken regulator with a zip-tie is a temporary bandaid that may or may not hold up. Your window regulator is going to fail sooner or later. If you are going to spend the time to take the door apart, do yourself a favor and replace the following parts:

window regulator - duh
vapor barrier sealant. Dealer sold me a 15-foot roll of 3M Window Weld and it works great. 1 roll was enough for both front doors on my sedan. Coupe doors are larger and may require more.
plastic window clip. 2 required for each front window, 1 required for each rear window - 51338218383
bolt for window clip. 1 required PER CLIP - 07147154229
"bushing"/captive nut for window clip. 1 required PER CLIP - 51338242760

Steve...all of the P/Ns you provided are included in RealOEM under the window regulators? Thanks.

Originally Posted by E46kitten

Need to replace rear window regulators.is it fairly easy DIY? Since there are no air bags to disconnect? I really want to do it myself but afraid I might mess up...
I'm pretty good at putting furniture and electronics together

I did my rear passenger side about two years ago... I found it rather easy. The one thing I do remember is it being somewhat tedious to get the door panel off and on but by no means difficult.

Originally Posted by das boots

Steve...all of the P/Ns you provided are included in RealOEM under the window regulators? Thanks.

Yes, I got the part numbers from RealOEM.
vehicle trim -> front door -> door window lifting mechanism front

It looks like BMW also offers a "Value Line" kit that includes the regulator and all the required hardware.

Set, mounted parts, power window, front VALUE LINE 2 51102311935
Set, mounted parts, power window, rear VALUE LINE 2 51102311936

Thanks.....will need this info. And come in handy when the time comes. And all regs will soon fail one way or the other.

Originally Posted by das boots

And all regs will soon fail one way or the other.

Within a week of my front driver's side regulator going out, the passenger's side regulator started to make noise. Within a month of replacing both fronts, I started to hear noise from the rear window regulators...

When it rains...it pours. However, you could in all probability do all regulators blindfolded....and all tricks and techniques to boot to make the replacement easier and faster.

If your door panels say SRS on it, then YES, you DO need to remove the airbag after disconnecting the battery terminal.

You just unbolt it and hang it out of the way (try not to unplug it)

Don't all E46s have side airbags? certainly an 03 325

Originally Posted by E46Mango

If your door panels say SRS on it, then YES, you DO need to remove the airbag after disconnecting the battery terminal.

You just unbolt it and hang it out of the way (try not to unplug it)

Don't all E46s have side airbags? certainly an 03 325

I think rear airbags were optional.