Window regulators and central locking BMW Serie 3 E46: problems, symptoms and price

Faults with window regulators and central locking

Documented on this model, from most to least important.

- Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectrical systemCentral locking and immobiliser failure due to worn relaysThe central locking can become intermittent or stop responding to the remote, and the immobiliser can fail sporadically when starting; gebrauchtwagenberater.de attributes both faults to wear in the relays of the control modules, and fiches-auto.fr records numerous testimonies of unreliable locking.
- Low severityFrequency: Very frequentElectrical systemBreakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanismIt is one of the most frequently cited non-engine faults of the E46: a small plastic tab in the window regulator mechanism breaks with use and the window stops going up or drops on its own, on any of the four doors. fiches-auto.fr records more than 80 testimonies of this fault.Repair (garage): €150–€250Appears at around 140,000 km

Symptoms these faults cause

Window/lock failure

How much the repair costs

Depending on the fault, at an independent garage it ranges from €150^[2] (breakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanism) to €250^[2] (breakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanism), including VAT. If the fault is caught in time, the repair is usually much cheaper.

Parts for the BMW Serie 3 E46 for faults with window regulators and central locking

The same search across several shops so you can compare prices. The part number varies with the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Electric window regulator mechanism (with plastic tabs)
- Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. More information

Frequently asked questions

What faults with window regulators and central locking does the BMW Serie 3 E46 have?

In the BMW Serie 3 E46 there are 2 documented faults with window regulators and central locking: central locking and immobiliser failure due to worn relays (rest of the car) and breakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanism (rest of the car). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and how to check for it.

Window regulators and central locking of the BMW Serie 3 E46: how much does the repair cost?

Depending on the fault, at an independent garage it ranges from €150 (breakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanism) to €250 (breakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanism), including VAT.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

BMW 3er E46: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité BMW Série 3 (1998-2005)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French