Repair-It

This hasn't failed but it is probably working on it. Here's a classic German car thing. My 3 Cadillacs and I think the Maxima all had cable-based regulators and I've never had a problem with any of them. Enter my German car.

What happens is the window tilts forward a little bit in the track when going up and slows down enough to trick the auto up system to stop working. So you have to either hold the switch or help it a little by pulling up on the front part. I have also had luck lubricating the front track but it only lasts a couple days.

I should preemptively replace this before it just fails. The other windows all work fine. You have to drill out rivets and actually re-rivet the regulator. But this is super well documented all over the internet since this is just a standard W211 thing so I shouldn't have any issues, just need to go through the steps.

Prices are all over the map.
Rockauto prices range from $26.79 on the low end for Ultra-Power to $55.79 in the middle for Uro Parts (think Adam used this in his E46) up to an Aisin for $77.79. Both the Uro Parts and Aisin claim to offer improved designs over factory.

I can get an OEM Mercedes regulator from FCP Euro for $101.65.

I was going to get the OEM but now I wonder if I should try the Uro Parts one. It does have a red heart next to it but then again so does the Ultra-Power. Let me guess, Ultra-Power for used car dealers, Uro Parts for people who actually are keeping the car. Rockauto says lifetime so....I guess I'm sold. $56 ain't bad!

Rockauto had some Uro Parts regulator rivets. Looks like these exact window regulator rivets are used in Mercedes applications from 1992 to 2011 across a wide range of models.

Anyway, Uro Parts regulator and 6 rivets was $70.15 shipped. That's not bad.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 997&jsn=19

Premium Roller Bearing Regulator
Features:
Patent-pending premium ball-bearing pulley design greatly reduces internal cable friction for smooth movement and long life
OE-compatible Plug & Play connector
Self-lubricating for quiet operation and reduced friction
Quality cable sheathing resists compression to maintain proper cable tension
Durability and life cycle tested to meet or exceed OEM
Unique pulley profile improves cable retention during challenging frozen or sticky window operation

Did this today. Took about 2 hours. $70 in parts, as I said. Not bad, I am glad I did it. Now the window won't randomly fail when I need it.

The one I took out had the Mercedes logo and a part number on it so it was at least OEM. I couldn't tell if it was original to the car. Maybe it was. It did seem like someone had been in the door before but it's hard to say if it was the regulator that was replaced. I don't think they are known to last this long. The other windows seem to work normally. This one had a distinct issue when rolling up which is why I preemptively replaced it.