STARTER MOTOR QUESTION

[jpvd]

Hi All

I have just taken a duff starter motor off my 2.2 z4 2003 and compared it to the new one i just picked up. The old one is the original starter motor, as it still has the bmw sticker, OE numbers, etc.

The question is the new motor is longer and doesn't have the bracing bars down the side. The mounting hole locations all look correct and the connections are the same, but its just length and slight difference in the top 'cup' (that's what i'm calling the section that goes into the fly wheel housing! )Should I be worried or did they make a change to these motors later on, making them bigger and since mine is from 2003, is it simply the new style and the one have have will be fine? or do i need to take this back?.....

Have attached a photo below and any help would be appreciated....can provide more photos if needed.



Many thanks
Paul

 

[jpvd]

wow..lots of views but not one reply....never mind

for anyone who is interested and for future reference i went ahead and fitted the new starter and it works great - much better than the old one, cars starts on first turn...almost instantly, so definitely an improvement over the old one. Old one did its job though and has been starting the car for 17 years so pretty good...

Cost was as follows:

£40 for starter (after return exchange fee of £25)
£11 for TX socket set from screwfix

if a garage was to do it I reckon you would be looking at £300 all in, but if you have a spare morning, a collection of decent tools, good torch and a bit of patience you can have it done in a couple of hours and save yourself a packet....

pretty straight forward job too, so if anyone needs some advice on swapping it, just let me know...

 

[ph001]

Good man! Love a bit of diy repairs. What were the symptoms of the old dying starter just out of interest?

 

[G600]

wow..lots of views but not one reply....never mind

I guess nobody knew the answer.
I've been thinking about replacing mine (turns over slower than I'd like) bit I'd not found an answer about the length either, glad you got it sorted

 

[mr nurburgring]

Only just seen this post, I would have said it doesn’t matter that the new one is longer, I had the same problem a few years ago and found the same.

 

[Wrighty]

I replaced mine recently also. Fitted a refurbished genuine unit from eBay



Did you access the starter from above through the bonnet or from underneath? I found it quite doable working from above

Wrighty

 

[agrimes1989]

Technically it is the wrong one , there is two listed and the shorter one is the correct length . However if it works it works , contradicts everything iv read though.

 

[Mike6]

My starter motor died in the summer and I got mine from Eurocarparts. Think its called an RDX ,fitted ok and not had a problem since. However something prompt me to look at the reviews as motor was really cheapo and oh dear the failure rate seems to be shocking as its a cheap chinese copy. To date however mine is ok but time will tell.

 

[jpvd]

My starter motor died in the summer and I got mine from Eurocarparts. Think its called an RDX ,fitted ok and not had a problem since. However something prompt me to look at the reviews as motor was really cheapo and oh dear the failure rate seems to be shocking as its a cheap chinese copy. To date however mine is ok but time will tell.

Mine is an RTX, but they are just reconditioned units - mine had the original Bosch sticker so i reckon it will be fine....has a warranty anyway

I accessed it from above - was really straight forward to be honest - you just need the right tools and a blanket to cover the wings so you can lean over without scratching the wing up....just take your time and try not to drop your tools as they are a pain in the ass to get back when they get stuck on the dirt shield below!

Technically it is the wrong one , there is two listed and the shorter one is the correct length . However if it works it works , contradicts everything iv read though.

fitted fine - i just went for it and turned the key waiting for a bang

Good man! Love a bit of diy repairs. What were the symptoms of the old dying starter just out of interest?

well at first i was sure the battery was dying as it was turning really slow and all the lights were fading, etc...so charged it up....then i tried to start again a few hours later and got this really bad noise (sounded like a dinosaur doing an explosive fart after a hot curry :rofl: ) and nothing....just a click and that was that, assumed it was the stater and got one bought...

 

[agrimes1989]

Covered the wings ? I sat on top of the engine when I done mine