Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles

Disassembly of Side Door Panel and Window Regulator

Model: BMW Serie 3 E46 - Years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Part: Door trim panel

See other generations:
Video tutorial

If the model is equipped with an airbag, disconnect the battery. Remove the cover at the top of the handle and those underneath to access the screws.

Remove the three Torx screws. Remove the trim and the screws behind it. Now you can pry the panel off by popping the clips behind it. Before detaching the panel, remove the lock actuator cable and the speaker wires.

Remove the mirror memory and the airbag, placing it face up. Carefully pry off the backing panel. To disconnect the glass, raise it to the correct level to access the nut. Secure the glass and disconnect the window regulator.

At this point, you can remove the motor and reassemble everything.


Updated on 2 February 2026 by ScegliAuto


Related tutorials

BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) Let's see how to remove the window regulator from a BMW 3 Series. Disconnect the electrical connectors before removing any parts. Remove the trim abo…
BMW Serie 3 (2012-2019 / F31, F30) In this video tutorial, you will learn how to remove the door panel of a BMW 3 Series. First, open the door and grab a plastic trim tool; then, detac…
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) Today's instructions will show us how to reset the window regulator motor of the BMW Series 3. First, let's get inside the vehicle and start by turni…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Open the Bonnet on the Mitsubishi L200?

In this tutorial, you will see how to open the bonnet on the Mitsubishi L200, a very simple operation that follows the standard procedure. First, open the vehicle and go to the driver's side, then locate the lever at the lower outer area, just in front of the pedals, and pull it. Next, position yourself in front of the bonnet, locate the second lever above the Mitsubishi logo, and push it to the right, releasing the latch. At this point, you can fully lift the bonnet and secure it with the prop rod.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos