[mweisdorfer]

Very DIY able for under $200.00. You just need a Bosch rebuilt starter & the special craftsman ratchet, which is about $25.00

There is a diy on this forum.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1058915

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bosch-pa...FQKnaQoduI8KsA

[terryd5150]

I did a DIY for about $200 on my N52.

I used a Duralast starter from Autozone; replaced in the driveway - took about three hours IIRC.

I don't remember needing any special tools; however, that may be model-specific.

[azzurribaggio]

$883.59 ($443 parts/$400 labor) Northern California prices.

Mine started having trouble starting about a few weeks before it died. I actually thought it was my battery but even a jump from my other car couldn't start it.

At 73,492 miles it seemed to die alot sooner than what I read on here.

[nissubaru]

Originally Posted by fatboym3

Dude ,I owe you Dinner,you may have saved me $600.00 bucks.I spoke to chuck at SWB and he Quoted me $650 out the door,That is exactly HALF of what DESERT BMW quoted me for this repair. Sad to say it but once a car is out of warranty the dealer becomes Irrelevant to the BMW owner( at least the ones that value their hard earned dollars) .Thank you E90 forum ,Information is power !

I liked to do all my own maintenance and work before I got my BMW, but now that I own one I'm so glad that I don't rely on dealerships or Indies for anything other than inspections, alignments and tire installs.

Even if you don't do your own wrenching, you can still save a ton of money by sourcing your own parts. Example: water pump and thermostat kit with the bolts and a jug of coolant from oembimmerparts was like $480, from my local dealer it was something like $1000. Alternator, $800 from dealer or $325 from fcpeuro (price matched). Idk exact pricing on oil filter housing gasket but that shit cost me $9, but I think it's something like $600 if you have the dealer do the work.

However, if it's still under warranty for that item then I'm not touching anything.

[bmwchickie]

I am paying $760 for mine...it can be labor intensive...sometimes you can save money by buying the part yourself if you find a good deal

[ryan stewart]

Old thread but a bump so I will add my voice to the "its labor intensive but EASY" chorus. Did mine on a Friday evening before cleaning up and meeting friends for dinner. Just got to take off a bunch of parts to get to it really (and having a thing angled head socket helps).

[ricx]

Originally Posted by bmwchickie

I am paying $760 for mine...it can be labor intensive...sometimes you can save money by buying the part yourself if you find a good deal

There's a lot of brittle plastic parts in the way of getting to the starter, like as in the PVC system, some people have it replaced while doing this job as a preventive measure because they get clogged, but more importantly because they get broken as they're getting moved out the way. Don't be alarmed if you get an oops from your mechanic.

[raptorman5174]

Ridiculous, went to advanced auto and bought a starter $150

Local indi installed it for me, charged me like $400

Total $550 or so, i did have the gaskets.

car starts with authority every time I hit the button. O and the starter has a lifetime warranty.

[riczon.335i]

paid $200ish FCP, my own labor and beer.

[eljay]

I am planning to replace my intake manifold soon (3SIM upgrade). My 2009 E91 has 85k miles on it. I just replaced the battery due to some longer cranking, which has helped a lot, but somehow I feel I still don't have a quick crank.

So, now I am wondering whether I should replace the starter as preventive maintenance while I have the manifold out or is that not necessary unless I have some sure starter symptoms?
i.e. is 85k (no records showing prior replacement) nearing the time they tend to go out?

[ricx]

it could quit today or it could last till the end. i have 111k on a 09 original starter but others quit at 75k. naturally parts degrade over time, if a snappy starter means that much then replace it. if a couple hundred bucks is worth piece of mind replace it. the other side is, your starter could last till the end. I have a meter that gives the voltage drop of the starter and time . If the trend starts to go south then i can make an informed decision if i want to preemptive replace it. those aren't the only elements of a healthy starter but it is measurable and predictive.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by eljay

I am planning to replace my intake manifold soon (3SIM upgrade). My 2009 E91 has 85k miles on it. I just replaced the battery due to some longer cranking, which has helped a lot, but somehow I feel I still don't have a quick crank.

So, now I am wondering whether I should replace the starter as preventive maintenance while I have the manifold out or is that not necessary unless I have some sure starter symptoms?
i.e. is 85k (no records showing prior replacement) nearing the time they tend to go out?

Remanufactured starter from BMW is $185. I replaced mine at 385,000 or so. It was still starting fine, but compared to the new starter, it was definitely slower at cranking the engine. It's a tough call at only 85,000 because of the surgery required to remove it.

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by ricx

There's a lot of brittle plastic parts in the way of getting to the starter, like as in the PVC system, some people have it replaced while doing this job as a preventive measure because they get clogged, but more importantly because they get broken as they're getting moved out the way. Don't be alarmed if you get an oops from your mechanic.

I went ahead and, based on comments on this forum, just bought all of those parts and replaced them. Even with that and using a new (not rebuilt) starter I think I spent maybe $400 and about 4 hours of my life.

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by eljay

I am planning to replace my intake manifold soon (3SIM upgrade). My 2009 E91 has 85k miles on it. I just replaced the battery due to some longer cranking, which has helped a lot, but somehow I feel I still don't have a quick crank.

So, now I am wondering whether I should replace the starter as preventive maintenance while I have the manifold out or is that not necessary unless I have some sure starter symptoms?
i.e. is 85k (no records showing prior replacement) nearing the time they tend to go out?

Mine acted like a dying battery before the starter just decided one day it was no longer interested in doing its job. After replacing it I could tell just how bad it was, the new starter was like a .5 second start.

Id do it with the intake manifold out because, honestly, that is the job. Once you have that out then its a few minutes to unhook the electrical, remove 3 bolts, swap starters, put 3 new bolts in, hook the wires back up.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by ryan stewart

I went ahead and, based on comments on this forum, just bought all of those parts and replaced them. Even with that and using a new (not rebuilt) starter I think I spent maybe $400 and about 4 hours of my life.

So maybe not really worth it then to diy if you value you time and labor and must buy tools? Most shops would do it for hoe much you spent on parts and tools, no?

[freakystyly]

Mine went in the middle of winter a few years back. With no indoor place to work, it was a no brainer to indy it. If it was a nice summer day I would have done some research on a DIY.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by ryan stewart

Mine acted like a dying battery before the starter just decided one day it was no longer interested in doing its job. After replacing it I could tell just how bad it was, the new starter was like a .5 second start.

Id do it with the intake manifold out because, honestly, that is the job. Once you have that out then its a few minutes to unhook the electrical, remove 3 bolts, swap starters, put 3 new bolts in, hook the wires back up.

Thank you.
I'll just do it while I have access and not have to think about it again.
Is there a preference to Valeo or Bosch starters?
I've always liked Valeo parts.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by eljay

Thank you.
I'll just do it while I have access and not have to think about it again.
Is there a preference to Valeo or Bosch starters?
I've always liked Valeo parts.

Valeo and Bosch are both original equipment manufacturers for BMW. Wouldn't really worry about it.

[nsjames]

did mine in a hotel parking lot after it failed 2 states from home.

not a difficult job.
follow the pelican guide and pull the manifold.

failed with 0 warning at about 135K. literally worked fine half a dozen times that day driving across the country. Stopped at a rest area, dead. not even a click.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by ryan stewart

Mine acted like a dying battery before the starter just decided one day it was no longer interested in doing its job. After replacing it I could tell just how bad it was, the new starter was like a .5 second start.

Id do it with the intake manifold out because, honestly, that is the job. Once you have that out then its a few minutes to unhook the electrical, remove 3 bolts, swap starters, put 3 new bolts in, hook the wires back up.

Just a word of caution though, the upper bell housing bolt can get tricky to remove. It's aluminum Torx head, a lot of noobs mung up the head and get stuck on that bolt. Make sure you have the correct tools.

[phillycx]

I recently had mine done. Starter replaced 2/4/20 $681 127,620 miles

[lookalikehuuh]

Had mine Rebuilt locally in San Diego, I think it cost me about $80 plus DIY with a 2 year warranty. Has been on the car for like 4 years now and going strong!