Starter Motor Failure - now replaced

[Lance]

Only posting this as it may help someone in the future.

Moved the Z4 off the drive this morning and noticed it was a bit lazy turning over, a bit like when a battery is dying, except mine is a new battery and a premium branded one at that. About half an hour later I went to put it back on the drive and noticed again it was lazy to turn over. Switched off and turned the music off to hear it properly turning over and now nothing, loads of power, roof opens and closes and all other electrics are working, but not turning over at all.

I suspect it's the starter motor but call the RAC, just in case it needs to be towed to the Indy I use. They turn up within half hour, give the starter a tap and we have life! I leave it running and drive to my Indy, 3 hours and £129 pound later I have a new starter motor that now turns over very quickly.

The starter is easily accessed and I could have changed it myself, however I had a heavy schedule today and all weekend, so Indy was the easiest option.

Mines a 53 plate 2.5.

 

[olsonn]

I had a similar problem myself on a very hot day. Called the AA who came out and did the old hammer trick which got it started. The thing was, I was the 3rd car that morning he had been out to with the same problem, he thought it might have been something to do with the heat

 

[adam04]

Mine went a few weeks ago, seen a few people lately on here with starter motor issues. Must have been built to last 15 years!

 

[Mighty1]

Strange that 15 yearsthing my 2003 2.5 auto in Maldives blue had same problem about a fortnight after turning 15 in June
Starting motor grinding sound then nothing called out breakdown via insurance taken to garage 150 quid Bosch starter motor fitted sounds totally different when starting now not sluggish on start
Geot

 

[bz4kev]

Very strange all these starter motors failing mine went very recently also maybe it’s the heat or something more bmw sinister :rofl: