starter issues. What is the best upgrade?

[Guest]

my car was sounding as if the battery was almost dead when trying to start. Starter ran kinda slow and barely started the car. I replaced battery and starter didnt sound much better.

I therefore think I need a new starter but have heard that a better starter, either new or from a different year/model BMW is a bolt in replacement.

can anyone help on this with either a part#, advice, and a general how to/difficulty scale?

Thanks

mcel in md

76 2002

[bcthomas122279]

Use the s-14 m3 starter. It may be what they give you as a direct replacement now as they are phasing out the original starters.

[InkaSteve]

This is a little off your original question, but make sure that you carefully check out all the battery wires and grounds before investing in a new starter.

I replaced a starter, which is a pain, and later found that it was poor connections in the wiring. Do a search, there are good suggestions to R & R the starter. Of course, when the cheap rebuilt starter I used, failed. I had a perfectly good one in the trunk to replace it.

Here is a thread link to check out http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,282924/highlight,starter/ There is another useful link within that thread.

Good luck

[RandyMolson]

This is a little off your original question, but make sure that you carefully check out all the battery wires and grounds before investing in a new starter.

I replaced a starter, which is a pain, and later found that it was poor connections in the wiring.

I agree with InkaSteve. From what you describe, it sounds like corroded wiring/connections is more likely than a bad starter.

[tjones02]

(nt)

[Ray-2002tii]

About 2 years ago my tii had similar starter issues. New battery but slow starter. The starter was original but still cranked...s..l..o..w. I did a search a found the best alternative was a starter from a mid-80's 535. It has higher cranking power than the stock original and is exactly the same size and same terminals. Cost was close to to same as well. The starter from an M3 works and is a little smaller and lighter but this is because it is a reduction gear starter instead if a direct drive. The consenses on reduction gear starters is that the work fine, but have a shorter life due to the smaller, faster turning motor they use.