2009 Audi S5: Creaky Window

misaligned window regulator gear
Audi's infamous window regulators have not improved in 20 years

Well, uh, at least that temperature gauge aligns.

In my experience with Audi's that means the window is about to break completely. Over the four years I owned my A6 I replaced all four power window regulators (the driver's twice). This makes me sound like some hater. I really am not, I loved driving the A6 a ton, but even I can't pretend that it was in any way reliable.

Kiss the window regulator and/or window motor good-bye, Ed! Bimmers go through 'em like water, too.

^^is that a weak point for frameless windows, or do all windows eventually break down on Audi and BMW cars? I've seen the behavior of frameless windows in the Mustang, and the Mini Cooper - the rattles, the weight and the re-sealing after each closure - it just suggest to me to avoid frameless windows.

I replaced both rear regulators in my B5 S4. Just a dumb little plastic piece that breaks...

Fascinating video, btw!

I've had no trouble with either of my two vehicles' frameless window designs. BMW has that cool feature that automatically snugs the glass against the seal when the door is closed, and my older Mazda doesn't seem to have anything fancy about its design, but it continues to work and seal well even after 16 years.

Meanwhile an IL Nissan is completely broken.....again.....

For this price, the IS-F is coming off as an attractive deal. This problem is just one too many for this particular Audi.

The IS-F is many things, but never attractive.

"The IS-F is many things, but never attractive. "

haha agreed.

more and more problems with the S5....not too impressed.

Dang unreliable American cars. Oh, wait..

On a serious note, BMWs definitely have had some regulator issues in the past, as have some American cars I've owned and others have owned and Infinitis my friends have owned. I'm pretty much convinced nobody knows how to make a reliable window regulator at this point.

I guess the germans still can't figure out how to build window regulators. Maybe they should spend a few $$ less on building the perfect suspension and spend it on getting some of these basic parts right. The e46 BMWs were notorious for window regulator failures too.

I guess the germans still can't figure out how to build window regulators. Maybe they should spend a few $$ less on building the perfect suspension and spend it on getting some of these basic parts right. The e46 BMWs were notorious for window regulator failures too.

I'm with those who say that window is about to completely break. I have had three regulators replaced in my 05 S4 so far. :(

I have never heard of or witnessed rampant power window issues with American or Japanese cars.

1487- It's just VW/Audi (BMW's issues are new to me). Porsche and Mercedes have never had issues like this, there other electronic systems have been hit or miss, but they have always done the basics exceptionally well.

jederino, it is not a frameless windows design issue, I had a frameless windows car for 20 years, zero component broke on the windows. It was a Toyota though, so that could be why it lasted so long.

Some defense for german cars, Honda's windows breaks most of the times too, just not as quick as Audi does, 5500 miles, yukes!

" I'm pretty much convinced nobody knows how to make a reliable window regulator at this point."

GM does, at least on their trucks. My 11 year old Suburban with 182k miles, has never had any window regulator or window motor problems - all 4 still work perfectly. The frameless windows on my '02 Z06 also work perfectly, and never had any issues, but I don't really count it as it's only 7 years old and has 47k miles.

I'll go along with 1487 and say that the super reliable CTS from GM is the better choice.

Happened twice back in the day on my Trans Am that was 2 years old. I think that the large heavy coupe sized pieces of window glass probably strain the power window parts alot quicker than normal.

Every model and manufacturer has their weak spots. For Audi, it's window hardware and ignition coils. /shrug

+1 on audisport that big coupe windows might not be helping at all. As a former New Beetle owner, I heard this sound several times, and it always ended with that window jamming in a certain position. Had to replace both windows (at different times).

I'll never forget my visit to the dealer the time the first one failed. They heard it, told me it was a $140 USD fix and that it would take 2 weeks or more to get the part. Half shocked I said no thanks, hopped into my car, went to a specialty autoglass shop, got charged 30 bucks and had my car ready in 3 hours.