BMW 6 Window Heater Failure: Causes and Repair Costs

I had a similar issue with my 2014 BMW 5 Series 530d last winter. The window heating problems were actually battery-related, not the heating elements themselves. The battery was severely discharged and couldn't provide enough power to run the heating elements properly. At the garage, they found that my alternator wasn't charging the battery correctly, which led to the discharge. Had to get the alternator replaced and install a new battery. It was quite a serious repair since the alternator is crucial for the car's electrical system. The symptoms were exactly like yours, both front and rear heating barely working or completely dead. After the repair, all window heating functions went back to normal. Don't let them just replace the heating elements without checking the charging system first. If I were you, I'd get a second opinion from another BMW specialist. These electrical issues can be tricky to diagnose if you're not familiar with the system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's really helpful to know about the alternator-battery connection, makes total sense why both windows would be affected. I'm definitely going to get that charging system checked out before jumping to any conclusions about the heating elements. Would you mind telling me how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also curious if you've had any other electrical problems since getting it fixed?

Hey there! Glad to give you an update on my situation. I actually just got my car back from the mechanic last week. You'll be happy to know that the rear window heating is working perfectly now! They found exactly what I suspected, it was indeed a battery issue. The total bill came to 290 € for replacing the heavily discharged battery. Much cheaper than I initially feared when the problems started. Since the repair, everything's working like a charm. No more electrical problems at all, all the heating elements are functioning perfectly, and I haven't noticed any other issues. It's such a relief to have it sorted before the cold weather really kicks in. Just to give you peace of mind, if your symptoms are similar to what I experienced, it's likely to be battery-related rather than a problem with the heating elements themselves. Getting the charging system checked was definitely the right first step. A good battery is crucial for all those electrical components to work properly in these BMWs. Let me know how you get on with yours!

Just wanted to close the loop on my BMW window heating saga! Finally got my car back from another mechanic I trust. You were spot on about the battery and charging system. Turns out my alternator was on its last legs, causing the battery to drain faster than normal. Got hit with a bigger bill than yours, around 850 for the alternator replacement and new battery, but at least everything's working perfectly now. Worth every penny to have it done right. The first mechanic wanted to replace all the heating elements without even checking the electrical system! Really glad I asked here and got that second opinion. Been driving for a week now and all the windows are heating up perfectly. The car feels more responsive overall too, guess that old alternator was affecting more than just the windows. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. Would've wasted a lot more money if I'd gone with that first diagnosis!