[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

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.

Yeah I bought a slim, tiltable wrench to break it loose and then hand spun it off. The two front are torqued properly, the back one was done by matching feel

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Old school... love it!

I wish I still had an alternator/starter place, but the old man died and his knowledge and business went with him.

[F30lolz]

Yeah last April my starter gave up the ghost and I paid about $700 parts/labor for it.

[Montegowagon]

$75 I think for the starter on Amazon

[mainbearing]

A genuine BMW starter costs $490.92 at Silver Springs BMW (Tischer). Looks like BMW had a number of revisions after the original crap 12417521116 was discontinued. I guess they knew they had problems with the starter and was struggling to solve it. The latest for naturally aspirated engines is 12-41-7-610-343.

A new Bosch SR-0492-N can be bought for about $140. I used a TYC $75 that cranks fast and strong and has lifetime warranty from Rock Auto. TYC is a 1.2Kw starter, I think the original factory was 1.1Kw. I still see some 1.1Kw out there, avoid those!

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=4152&jsn=422

I also replaced both DISA valves, intake manifold gaskets (6 large o-rings) and the CCV plastic 3-way vent hose. I would say 3-4 hours of labor on first try. Therefore $700 using an aftermarket starter (without counting the DISAs which add at least another $250 depending on brand) would be about right.

For the rear facing long aluminum bolt, I used a pivot ratchet and a e-torx socket. No problems. I did have to guesstimate the initial torque (to be followed by an angle turn) because my torque wrench did not pivot like that and was hitting the firewall.



My notes on the starter and related parts: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=24

[vilord]

this thread started in 2013. i'm sure they're still wondering if 1300 is a good price

[Bulldog37]

I had mine go as well. Local shop wanted $900 to do it. Did it myself for the cost of the new starter and replacement hardware ($200). But this is a character building experience. No clue why the one bolt comes in from the rear with almost ZERO access to it. Plus the Aluminum bolts tend to round over pretty quickly. Ended up drilling the rear one out. PITA. But as this is a project car from my son and I, all lessons learned are good lessons for him.

[vilord]

I did the starter on my 2009 in a grocery store parking lot a couple months ago. Fortunately it was a relatively warm day and it wasn't raining *or* snowing.
I was complaining, at the time, about how annoying it was the starter being buried so deep under things, though it took less than 2 hours start to finish.

On my truck, on the other hand, which also needed a new starter *ON THE SAME DAY* #$%#%^@#%, the starter is directly visible from the right side wheel well, super easy to touch or bash with something heavy to jostle the brushes back to life for one or two final starts (which got me home).
I figured it's right there, should be easy, right?
14 hours and many bashed knuckles and cut up arms later, with the exhaust laying on the ground and the truck suspended in the air by the transmission from a floor jack underneath, I had the new starter installed. Definitely was thanking the German engineering on my wagon after that one.