[Meeni]

I have an e90 330i (N52) with some decent mileage.

Starting became weaker and weaker, so I went ahead and installed a new battery.

Upon first start on the new battery, the car made some clacking noise from the starter area. No start.

Trying to start the car again results in no crank, and instantly draining a fully charged, new and known good battery.

I have not started diagnosing more at the moment, suspect melted starter, but it's deep in the engine's bowel. Anything I should look for before I dig in?

[F31B48]

When you say it drains the battery instantly, do you mean it doesn't crank the engine? Or are you measuring the battery voltage and it is flat? (10 volts or less)