E93 rear window mechanism / cable

[Luckyone]

I had fun getting this out, would have taken for ever without TIS!



Looks like the only option is to get a good used one or a new one from BMW, other parts suppliers don’t seem to have them.

I only really need a new cable, I did fine one searching but it appears to be some Russian website & don’t fancy my chances of getting it at the moment.

I think I may a have a bash at try to get a bike brake cable to fit but getting the ends right will be tricky...

[Luckyone]

I found E46 cables on eBay they have the same ends, worth a try for £5!

Otherwise I found a universal repair kit for £20 with a long cable you cut to length & has what look to be ends about right.

[Luckyone]

E46 cable does fit but is just a bit too long so I had to cut the end off & shorten it a bit. The springs need to fully compress one end without the other getting too lose.



The whole mechanism sits inside a big rubber bag


With the infamous drain plug at the bottom


That plug was blocked when I got the car & the bottom half of the mechanism has been sitting in a load of water, although the cables are supposed to be stainless as it was all rusted where it snapped....