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Thread: Starter Clarification

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Starter Clarification

    Hello all, newbie here. I am picking up a 1980 e21 this evening with a known starter issue. It's "heat soaked" and does not work after its been running for a bit. I am looking to replace it and have read through possible options on this forum. As I am new to the world of BMW, I am making sure I pick up the right part for replacement.

    Will all e30 starters work or only those from an e30 M3? Is there a part number anyone would recommend to make sure I pick the right starter?

    All help is appreciated!

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shake900 View Post
    Hello all, newbie here. I am picking up a 1980 e21 this evening with a known starter issue. It's "heat soaked" and does not work after its been running for a bit. I am looking to replace it and have read through possible options on this forum. As I am new to the world of BMW, I am making sure I pick up the right part for replacement.

    Will all e30 starters work or only those from an e30 M3? Is there a part number anyone would recommend to make sure I pick the right starter?

    All help is appreciated!

    Thanks
    The e30 m3 starter is the one you want. They are cheaper on rockauto.

  3. #3
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    Is this the one?

    http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=273751&jsn=3

    Any other starters that would work? Anything I would need to modify to make this one work?

    Thanks again for the input!

  4. #4
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    I'm 95% sure that is what you need.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shake900 View Post
    Is this the one?

    http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=273751&jsn=3

    Any other starters that would work? Anything I would need to modify to make this one work?

    Thanks again for the input!
    That's the one. SR440X fits same flywheel teeth on the ring gear M10/S14. Lighter, smaller, more torque output from the E30M3.

    Yours most likely needs the love tap on the solenoid. When heat soaked they all eventually stick after wear. A "tap" with a hard device allows them to keep working. Used to carry a tap stick in the car for that on long trips. Hence I find it funny when they had a sticker on my new SR440X solenoid "don't strike with hammer" .
    When the bore and cylinder wears the little piston gets canted and sticks especially with heat. Try a light whack with something metal on the solenoid and bet it works.
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by autox320 View Post
    That's the one. SR440X fits same flywheel teeth on the ring gear M10/S14. Lighter, smaller, more torque output from the E30M3.

    Yours most likely needs the love tap on the solenoid. When heat soaked they all eventually stick after wear. A "tap" with a hard device allows them to keep working. Used to carry a tap stick in the car for that on long trips. Hence I find it funny when they had a sticker on my new SR440X solenoid "don't strike with hammer" .
    When the bore and cylinder wears the little piston gets canted and sticks especially with heat. Try a light whack with something metal on the solenoid and bet it works.
    I ave been going that for the past 15k miles. I don't want to replace anything on my m10 as it will be removed eventually.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Cool

    Any other starters that would work? Yes, the later M30 Starters or The M5 starter

    Details from 2002 Group, except M5 missing.

    https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/to...rter-question/

    "Yes the SR441X starter from a late M30 motor like that in a E32 735i from '88 through '92 and an E34 535i from '89 through '92 WILL work perfectly fine in on a M10 motor. The only thing that is of any issue is that the start signal wire for terminal 50 is a spade connector in the '02 while the SR441X starter uses round eyelet connectors. I feel the best solution is to find a spade connector adapter like that from a coil that has a 6mm post. That's what I use when converting to use one of these starters. I do not like molesting the original '02 wire harness to cut off the spade and crimp on an eyelet....
    I actually prefer the SR441X starter to that from the E30 M3 S14 the SR440X.
    SR441X has 1.7 KW
    SR440X has 1.4 KW"


    I have a new SR441X as backup,, Note the SR441X has a round terminal,,so one would need a M6(1/4") ring terminal to 1/4 inch(6.35mm) male spade terminal adapter,, which is hard to find or does not exist--An M6 ring terminal bare with a bare M6 male spade terminal crimped in tight and then heat shrinked over the crimp will get the job done, neatly.

    $100 on ebay w 1 yr warranty,new, from someone with a lot of positive feedbacks, 19,000 +, 100% Positives.

    Lance mentioned this some time ago here on this forum, this starter upgrade SR441X and others, this got me looking and bingo.

    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 10-21-2017 at 01:28 PM.

  8. #8
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    So, is the SR441X the starter in the M5?

  9. #9
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    e21, e30 m3. e46 330ci
    a word of caution.... do not use a E30M3 for a pre-facelifted car (ignition points), they are not compatible.
    Tom D

    77 e21 - m42
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  10. #10
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    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by Shake900 View Post
    So, is the SR441X the starter in the M5?
    M5 1991-93

    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 10-22-2017 at 09:20 AM.

  11. #11
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    1983 320is S52/2003 VR6T
    I have a starter i just removed if needed

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