Any aftermarket front window regulator a worth it?

[BARRY]

Last year had my front replaced with a Chinese made part from Amazon. Worked great but failed after a year. The quality of the part was nothing to scoff at, but I did seem to realize my front window doesn't smoothly slide up without drag like it should.

Should I dish out for a Audi genuine part or do any of you have any steps on how to possibly align or recondition the window tracks or the sort? Without a regulator the window has a slight drag which I don't feel should be there.

[Audishiit]

I went thru 2 driver side regulators until I read and it’s something about the 2 screws that mounts the glass need to be directly in the middle or else it will create uneven pressure on the regulator that’s already cheaply made

[shurur9]

I am going to tell on myself for the sake of the team.

I have replaced 5 (yes FIVE) drivers side window regulators with cheapo shit from amazon/ebay.
All of them eventually bound up in the main spool and failed....you know that crunching sound.

I have a feeling that the cheap ones are using cables that have smaller diameters than OEM on spools that are OEM; so there is too much slop.
It may also be that the aftermarket metal guides are thinner metal and create flex...
As far as the two screws not mounting center....I can't see how they can ever not be centered.

Anyway, I am using a used OEM regulator from Wolf now....we will see...time will tell.

[flasheverything]

I know these are strange times right now, but go to a junk yard and or someone parting out for oem regulator. Ive myself sold and installed multiple part out window regulators


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Kevin C]

As far as new goes I got a Vaico from ECS four years ago and its been perfect.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vaico-pa...e0839461c~vai/

[Protection]

I am going to tell on myself for the sake of the team.

I have replaced 5 (yes FIVE) drivers side window regulators with cheapo shit from amazon/ebay.
All of them eventually bound up in the main spool and failed....you know that crunching sound.

I have replaced two with aftermarket units and had the exact same thing, binding and fraying at the spool. One didn’t even last 6 months. I will only use OEM now. I won’t even waste my time installing an aftermarket if the person brings it to me. The replacement OEM in my wife’s B6 has been in for 5 years and is still working fine. She also has to put the window down 5 days a week to get into her parking garage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Turbo510]

I replaced a front regulator with a URO item several years ago, and have had no problems. But that's the seldom-used passenger side, so I don't know how it would do with years of daily operation. $54 at autohausaz, but for $4 more, the perhaps better VDO brand.

[Fast4esT]

I've only ever replaced mine with used OEM regulator, never had any trouble. id buy used

[BARRY]

thanks for the input guys.

went with a VDO brand replacement from FCP Euro...lifetime warranty on all their parts even brake rotors. i've been purchasing from them for my 2007 Mercedes E63 for quite some time now. It just makes sense and their prices are always great.

we'll see how long this lasts as they label the VDO brand as OEM.

Subtotal $71.52
Shipping $0.00
Tax $6.62
Total $78.14

[JDCinATL]

I have done 3 so far with URO from Rockauto with no issues yet. Drivers side has been over 3 years now.

[Blockis]

I also went with URO about a year ago, no issues. If I were to buy today, would definitely just go with FCP Euro, their warranty is nice.

[APC123]

Go OEM

[Gosser]

Go OEM

x2

[rollerton]

Same exact situation. I'm on #4 front window regulator from Amazon. The last one didn't even make it 2 days. Luckily I've only paid for the the first one, I keep swapping broken ones for a new one.
I'm getting tired of it though. The current one as of now makes a 'thud' noise as it starts to spin...so yeah. Won't even be a surprise.



And the damn heater hose/ coolant flange leak. Fuck. And the crappy PCV valves. Last one I got didn't last 40 miles.

[Turbo510]

I'm on #4 front window regulator from Amazon. The last one didn't even make it 2 days....And the crappy PCV valves. Last one I got didn't last 40 miles.

Chinese parts

[EuroxS4]

I have never had any luck with aftermarket regulators. I always get the oem ones they tend to last the longest.

[seanf86]

2 years so far on a HD VDO regulator off rockauto. I've been extremely lucky, I own 3 B6 and have only had to change 1 regulator.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I'm a big fan of the URO Premium window regulators, they come with a lifetime warranty and a slightly "beefier" build than most. I've been running them on a few cars now for several years with zero issues.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B6_S4...dow/Regulator/

-James