Amazing what a little research will do.

[Way2slow]

Wife's 2004 VW Beetle Convertible right rear windows regulator broke a couple of weeks ago and was stuck half way between open and closed. Knowing it was probably going to be one mean mother to get out, I've put it off until yesterday.  Being stuck in the middle, it didn't let me down, it was on one major SOB to get out.  Window is supposed to be all the way up to remove and install so you have room or access to fasters holding it together.  Finally got it out, without breaking the window, and fixed it so it would close and stay closed.

When it first broke, I priced a new regulator, over $500 for the cheapest one I could find and they went up from there, so I was just going to take out the cable system and fix the window so it would just stay closed all the time.  I only paid $200 for the car, no way was I going to pay that for a regulator. 

Today I was looking at the cable and motor, the plastic spool attached to the motor to wind it up and down broke, so I was in the process of doing something to repair that one.  Then I decided to see if any parts besides the whole regulator were available.  Found the cable assembly with the spool was available.  The first few I found were oem at $250 plus.  Kept searching in different ways and found some after market in the $100 price range.   After more searches using different methods, I found and ordered one for $18 with free shipping.  pretty big savings from the original $500 plus dollars it started off being.  Don't know what the quality is going to be when it gets here, but for that, I'll take a chance. 

At least this time, it won't be the mother to get out it was the first time.

Nice part about being a convertible and working in the small back seat area. I can lay the top back and have all kinds of room.

[TnRiver46]

Never had power windows, hopefully never will. Some of my friend bust out laughing when they see me roll my window down 

[Guitarfish]

Both my trucks have rollers.  But my work van is all power.

[Way2slow]

Normally, the regulators run between $50 and $150 for aftermarket ones for most common vehicles.  Most are still a pain in the butt to replace when they are stuck in a position not contusive to removing it.  However, when you get into the German made and some other foreign built models, they get very, very proud of their parts.  They have very ridiculous prices on everything about that beetle.  The whole interior is made of that cheap Chinese grade plastic and is very brittle.  But they price it likes it's made of gold.   Over $600 for a glove box door, and over $1,000 for a cheap, plastic door panel.  Needless to say, I keep patching and doing work arounds. 

If you want to make you best friend, your worst enemy, give him one of the new style VW Beetle convertibles.

[J Francho]

Reminds me of the wiper transmission in my truck.  Changing it is a 15 minute job, unless it freezes in mid wipe.  Then you have to cut something.

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Never had power windows, hopefully never will. Some of my friend bust out laughing when they see me roll my window down 

00:16 - this can be you.

 

[PourMyOwn]

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Never had power windows, hopefully never will. Some of my friend bust out laughing when they see me roll my window down 

My 95 F350 is like this, the rest of my fleet is power. I also really like the vent windows, those are fantastic.