Starter packed in

kis · Post by **kis** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 8:44 pm

Evening all,

Think the starter has packed in as the car won’t start. Going to call AA in the morning to see if they can get me going... if the starter is the cause (battery charged) then where’s the best place to source a replacement?

I’m contemplating getting a cheap used one on eBay?

Obviously not going BMW, what are the alternative reputed brands if I get new?

Thanks, Kis

keving1 · Post by **keving1** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 8:49 pm

Mine packed in a few weeks ago, bought one from Euro car parts £150 plus £107 surcharge which was returnable.

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 8:50 pm

Hi mate

Sad times

Have you tried giving it a sharp tap with a big hammer/bar?

It may allow you to restart and will tell you it’s that in the wrong

I did a write up a few months back- not a biggie

Replacement from Euro Car Parts was about £70 with £25 ish back when you took the old one back

Stuart

keving1 · Post by **keving1** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 8:52 pm

Mine packed in a few weeks ago, bought one from Euro car parts £150 plus £107 surcharge which was returnable.

BMW no longer manufacture new ones only refurbished and I was told it would take weeks to come through.

Same starter motor in the E85/86 and 89 six cylinder models 3 litre engines

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:53 pm

My original '03 starter motor died at the end of June and I fitted a £67 RTX remanufactured item from EuroCarParts. So far it cranks like a good'un and if it only lasts a year or two it's no biggy at that price

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enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:13 am

patriot66 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:53 pm My original '03 starter motor died at the end of June and I fitted a £67 RTX remanufactured item from EuroCarParts. So far it cranks like a good'un and if it only lasts a year or two it's no biggy at that price 20210630_154615.jpg

I bought the same one a few months back and fully agree. It's easy to change in about 20 minutes (on my M54) so happy if it lasts 2 or 3 years.
Obviously if the car was a daily it would get a lot more action and may not last as long.

colb · Post by **colb** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:11 am

Replaced mine when it failed with a RTX unit from Carparts4less the web only site of Europarts, paide just over £50 for it from them, always cheaper than Europarts.
https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/starter-motor

Zedebee · Post by **Zedebee** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 1:47 pm

Same as colb, I paid about £50 plus £25 exchange from carparts4less. Been on my son’s car (regularly used) for over a year now with no trouble. Straight swap in terms of fitment.

parabolica · Post by **parabolica** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:48 pm

Hi OP,

3.0? If so I have one you can have for nothing but postage.

My OG starter gave up start of the year and I replaced it; my dad, being a tinkerer, stripped down the old one, replaced the bushes and put it all back together and it’s running good again. Bench-tested only hence happy to let it go for nowt.

skelters · Post by **skelters** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 7:40 pm

Get a price from here....

https://www.westlancsautoelectrics.co.uk/

Mine was £96.80.

kis · Post by **kis** » Tue Sep 14, 2021 5:34 pm

Thanks for the replies.

I tried the hammer method, but it didn't work.

AA out this morning and confirmed it was the starter. He gave it a tap as well, but it's not budging. Did offer to fit a new one... for just under £250 but didn't take them up on that!

I'll give it a go myself if I get time, otherwise will have to get a mobile mechanic out. bigwinn is it a intake manifold off job? Or is there more room in the Zed to allow you to leave it on?

parabolica yes it is. I'll take you up on that. Will PM you.

skelters if the one I'm getting from here isn't any good... will give them a call. I saw they offer 18 months warranty compared to the more usual 12 months. Not that it really makes a difference. It'll probably fail after the warranty even if its for 5 years.

Thanks again all.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:00 pm

kis wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 5:34 pm I'll give it a go myself if I get time, otherwise will have to get a mobile mechanic out. bigwinn is it a intake manifold off job? Or is there more room in the Zed to allow you to leave it on?

Is it an M54 engine?
If so, I've changed one on the 2.5 with just the sound generator removed for access.
Looking at my 2.2 it looks like there's slightly more room for some reason. (Even allowing for there being no sound generator on that.)
I'd think a 3.0 should be doable if you have small hands.
It's one of those jobs where its actually easiest to close your eyes and visualise what your hands are doing.
Definitely disconnect the battery first.

ZedsDeadbabyZedzdead · Post by **ZedsDeadbabyZedzdead** » Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:05 pm

Good luck

Zedebee · Post by **Zedebee** » Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:39 pm

I have done this on an e85 2.5i. It’s fiddly but no need to remove the manifold. That would make it into a much bigger job, with potential for unexpected extra cost. As Enuff said, you just need to remove the sound generator . . . and have the right spanners!

Brouse · Post by **Brouse** » Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:55 pm

Another vote for West Lancs Auto, got it within 24 hrs!

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com