electrical and ignition Will this work? Starter motor ID required

[Simeon]

Just bought this for $99 AUD including post. Taking a bet really.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400981387487

*CLEARANCE STOCK* BMW 318I 325I M50B20 STARTER MOTOR 12V 9TH M10 M44 M20B25

Is this going to work? I note that it is 'brand new' so I don't have massive hopes for the quality.

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[jmr_1602]

Looks like it will work. When I replaced mine I opted for the lighter e30 M3 Bosch unit. Turned my old one in as a core and spent maybe $140 USD total.

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[TobyB]

You may find that the pinion depth is a bit shallow.  I used an M42 motor, and the pinion teeth only engage about 1/2 of the flywheel.

 

That was a sample of 1, mind you.

 

t

[Simeon]

Here's what I got. Looks pretty good for $100AUD delivered. Not quite at the point of using it but will do a detailed comparison with my current starter.

[JohnH]

Those are all M20/M40 derivatives so wont be much use to you, other than for parts.

 

Why dont you rebuild your own starter. All the parts are still available from  http://www.woodauto.com/Unit.aspx?Man=BOSCH&Ref=0001108042 here in the UK. 

 

There was a really good "How to rebuild a Starter Motor" article in the April 2014 issue of Car Mechanics showing all the steps required.

[Simeon]

To be honest, I don't need a new starter beyond a vague desire to go for a more modern one which is smaller / lighter and maybe cranks a bit faster. I saw it on eBay and bought it on an impulse for a good price.

If I can't use it then it will go back on eBay at some point. eBay is an addiction of mine, it's not the first bargain I have bought only to sell again later on.

It doesn't seem to help that Bosch use a completely different part numbering system over here so it is hard to find a cross reference without referring to models (which may or may not have been sold here). It's often easier to just take it and get it rebuilt by a specialist.

[Guest_anonymous]

There is a thread or two which lists the models and year ranges that the 440x and 441x starters were used on. My 441x came out of a 7series

[eastsidebimmer]

I'm using a starter from a M30 big 6. It has no problem spinning up the M10!

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[Simeon]

The description does say that it fits an M10 ( though I would not trust that with my life!) - would there be that much change in ring gear and flywheel for later generations (E30?) of the M10? Anybody got a known good starter to hand that they could measure / take photos with a ruler alongside?

If I get chance this weekend, I may even pull my starter and give it a go - mainly for the sake of curiosity. Bragging rights go to the winners who predict the correct result!

[JohnH]

I'm using a starter from a M30 big 6. It has no problem spinning up the M10!

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So am I, and I agree with you, nothing beats an M30B28/B25/B34 starter motor! All 1.4 kilo watts of it.

[Guest_anonymous]

Here you go:

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/121703-starter-motors/

[Simeon]

Thank you dar_on_

[AceAndrew]

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1998298-M20-starter-into-M10&p=26435078#post26435078

[Simeon]

Spot on Andrew. That seems pretty conclusive then. Thanks a lot all, I guess that will sit on the shelf until I get around to a periodic eBay clean up.

[TobyB]

...you could always try it.  The M42 WORKS, it just doesn't engage as far as it really should.  I was just going to mill it down a little, and use it until it dies...

 

t