Rattling Windows!

[KitKat]

Hi all,
have just joined this site after buying (at last) my first BMW - E46 1999 318i. I had read somewhere that rattling / creaking front windows were a common problem on this model, and this is certainly the case on mine. I love this car more than my wife, but the rattling / creaking is a real irritant. Does anybody know of a solution?Many thanks

[bryan1970]

do your windows rattle whne your driving down the road or like when the doors are open and the windows are up.

[KitKat]

Originally posted by bryan1970@May 20 2005, 05:44 AM
do your windows rattle whne your driving down the road or like when the doors are open and the windows are up.

[snapback]346281[/snapback]

It's when windows are fully up and driving. No problem when partially wound down.
Thanks.

[storme]

i have the same problem with my coupe

there are a few ways of sorting it out

get BMW to re-align the windows takes them an 1hr

re-new the door seals because the coupe door seals wear quickly

or do what i do,,once a week i vasaline them or a similiar rubber lubricant
i have used the bmw lube i have used washing up liquid
i have used vasaline
and ive used holts rubber spray
all work to a point

the dealer option is good for 6 mnths
the other options last a week
the new seal option sounds good but there is a sensor in the seal to tell when the window is up~(i think)
so i didnt try that

if any1 knows how easy it is to change the door seal,,let us know

[bryan1970]

changing the seal is probablly going to be a temporary fix also. it just might last longer. really it is a design flaw. there is a product that the dealer uses you could buy it from them and use that as needed.

but to answer the question replacing the seal isn't that hard. the sensor just un plugs. and i think you can get it to unplug and plug back in w/o taking the A-pillar trim off. however the bottom platic peice that is along the door sill has to come off. that is triky to get off and not break. i think there are 6-7 plastic rivets that hold it on. you can use a screw driver to pop it off. the only thing is the best way to take it off and not break anything is to get the screwdiver near where the plasutc rivets are held on the plastic trim. for a first timer just go real slow and try and find the rivets once you've got one of them out. then the seal just pulls off. there is another smaller platic rivet near the door hidge that holds the seal on there.

then to put it back on you can jsut push it on, which will work but i have found that if you first push it on then tap it with a rubber mallet that works best, it just saves your hande from havening to push real hard to get the seal to seat all the way.