Starter Seems Louder?

[peter540]

Hi, everyone. '03 540i/6, 145k miles, literally overhauled in all aspects. I've owned the car since 2007 and 38k miles. It seems to me that the starter is getting louder. Maybe in all these years I didn't notice it was as loud as it is, but it somehow sounds different. It's not missing, and the car turns over and starts without issue. I'm just wondering if starters get louder before they ultimately fail. If so, I'll start planning to proactively replace it.

Thoughts from the gallery?

Thanks, as always.

--Peter

[SW530]

Sometimes yes. You sure you're not in a garage echo chamber with the windows down so you can hear it better? I hate drive-thru's.. ever little thing in the engine bounces off the outer wall you're up against and makes you think you're engine is ready to blow any minute..

[peter540]

Sometimes yes. You sure you're not in a garage echo chamber with the windows down so you can hear it better? I hate drive-thru's.. ever little thing in the engine bounces off the outer wall you're up against and makes you think you're engine is ready to blow any minute..

It may just be me being a princess-and-the-automotive-pea self, worrying about something that isn't a problem...

--P

[BMW540san]

I would suggest to do a quick research and get good quality one and just have it ready on shelf.
I had to replace mine on my 98 540 but it's been long time ago and can't remember the exact age / miles when it failed.

[kallekula]

I wouldn’t worry to much about it. When it fails, new reman starter with core is the way to go.
just my 2cents…

[philly98540]

Since you've owned your 540 forever, your perception is likely correct and something has changed in the starter. Will it fail soon or in five years? Who knows... If your lucky you may be be able to pop start it when it fails and then swap it once home. The starters in these cars are very good as you hardly hear of them failing. I likely just jinxed mine LOL.

[JimLev]

About 7-8 years ago mine was making a weird noise like the bendix solenoid wasn’t releasing as soon as the key was released from the crank position.
I took it out, cleaned and lubed it. It’s been fine since. Hope I didn’t jink myself.

[peter540]

I would suggest to do a quick research and get good quality one and just have it ready on shelf.
I had to replace mine on my 98 540 but it's been long time ago and can't remember the exact age / miles when it failed.

Thanks, Z! I hope all's well. What's the latest with your unruly V10?


--P

- - - Updated - - -

Since you've owned your 540 forever, your perception is likely correct and something has changed in the starter. Will it fail soon or in five years? Who knows... If your lucky you may be be able to pop start it when it fails and then swap it once home. The starters in these cars are very good as you hardly hear of them failing. I likely just jinxed mine LOL.

Well, I HAVE owned it forever. I'll keep paying attention to it. Thanks, and NO JINX FOR YOU!

--P

- - - Updated - - -

About 7-8 years ago mine was making a weird noise like the bendix solenoid wasn’t releasing as soon as the key was released from the crank position.
I took it out, cleaned and lubed it. It’s been fine since. Hope I didn’t jink myself.

Thanks, Jim. Years ago, when I'd just bought the car, the starter was replaced under warranty (that says something about how long I've had the car!) because it had the same problem.

NO JINX FOR YOU, EITHER! :-)

--P