Coupe FL Vs Pre-FL Actuator and Handle

[Faradzz]

Hi Guys

After two days running around the scrappers, removing the actuator, window and regulator from my door.

THE FACELIFT AND THE PRE-FACELIFT HAVE A DIFFERENT ACTUATOR!!!!!! AND HANDLE

Facelift

The facelift actuator has a swivel up handle which is connected by a small wire to the actual actuator unit.

so when you pull on the exterior handle, it swivels on a hinge at the bottom of the handle. pulls the wire and thus unlocking your door

this is the main actuator you find on the web.. well the only one you see on the web... great if you have a facelift. the part is readily availible on ebay for around £50

your interior handle is connected by a long-ish cable with a small hook on the end which sits on an arm of the actuator. so when you pull your interior handle it works the same way as your exterior handle.

The DIY for changing the actuator is 3/10 for difficulty.

Remove the doorcard, Airbag (Disconnect Power 1st). Unbolt the bottom arm on the window rail,

Remove actuator screws (side of door 3 x torx). When the actuator drops wiggle it through the window rail gap you have made (it will just about fit)

but be careful when disconnecting the exterior handle, you DON't want to snap the cable.

The Facelift actuator looks like

Pre Facelift

The pre-facelift e46 coupes have a pull out rather then swivel out handle.

the handle and the actuator are different on these cars

the interior handle is connected by the EXACT SAME wire. but this is unfortunately where the similarities end.

the handle DOES NOT HAVE A CABLE connecting it to the actuator.

the handle has a metal rod. which pushes against the actuator releasing the catch for the door.

and the handle and actuator are of lower quality then the facelift models when it comes to opening the door

the pivot on the actuator arm is weaker then the facelift models. and it is indeed the pivot which is the difference between the two actuators

(i know this because i have a pre-facelift and accidently bought a facelift actuator and when comparing the mechanism. the FL one was of higher quality)

this is why usually the Pre-FL doors on a coupe require more of a pull to open them.

this is shown on the picture below for a PRE-FL car

Door Handle Adjustment

There is a video on youtube of a guy from the forums who puts a torx into door door of his m3 and tightens the screw to make his door easier to open.

this is reality is very hard. and its incredibly easy to mess up the pivot point on the actuator

More so with the Pre-FL models/

this is because its not the tightness of the screw that makes to door easier to open. its the position of the "grip" point which the screw holds together.

again this is best shown with pictures

This actuator is "slack" i.e it needs adjustment. typical signs of the slackness in the pivot are more movement needed to open the door. or maybe even the door not opening at all

Some Pictures of a slack pivot

As you can see no amount of tightness of this screw will make a sticky door handle better. best this to do is adjust the actuator pivot "grip" point so that the handle requires less force to open the door

Your actuator SHOULD be tight and look like this

i hope this helps someone out there

it was a complete royal pain trying to figure it out

(Deleted this bit as your not allowed to sell unless your a subscriber and have 50 posts - thanks moderating team)

cheers

Edited August 1, 2011 by simonlpearce

[simonlpearce]

Moved to DIY, as it seemed more like a guide to me.

[Blackboy]

Hi just read your artical and found it very interesting thanks was wondering if by any chance you know how to get the door open on my coupe as the actuator has gone and need to open the door to change it.

The BMW dealer says pin that goes into the actuator from the barrel is broken.

I have managed to get the door card off but can't figure out how to get the door open to change the actuator!

Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[Stan 24v]

Excellent work dude!