I wonder whether the mechanical lifters they might still put in euro models fail like the power lifters.

Back when the cars had both the mechanical ones never failed while the power ones failed at rates that have stayed the same for different reasons. Since the actual lift mechanism was similar there was only one logical answer....maintenance.

The mechanical lifters go lubed when they go so stiff they couldn't move freely. With the electric,the worse that such lack of lube created was a slightly slower window and bent linkages.

It used to be part of yearly service to lube the window channels. It should probably be done as part of detailing as yearly is too little in hot weather, maybe even cold weather.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician