ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Today's Posts


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Engine, Exhaust, Drivetrain Modifications
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-09-2022, 12:19 PM   #1
Ascanio
Private
13
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Savannah, GA

iTrader: (0)

M Roadster starter motor, Valeo or Bosch?

Hi! On FCPEuro they have a Valeo remanufactured starter for 700+ dollars, and a Bosch remanufactured for 200. They both are stated to fit.
Any reason why I should spend the extra 500 dolla?
Appreciate 0
      11-09-2022, 03:28 PM   #2
grannyknot
Captain
grannyknot's Avatar
1009
Rep
804
Posts

Drives: 2008 Z4M coupe
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: toronto

iTrader: (0)

They have both a Valeo and a Bosch rebuilt for $200 each and a BMW rebuilt for $700.
The $500 extra is so you can say, "Genuine BMW."
__________________
2008 E86 M coupe
Appreciate 0
      11-09-2022, 03:35 PM   #3
Ascanio
Private
13
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Savannah, GA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by grannyknot View Post
They have both a Valeo and a Bosch rebuilt for $200 each and a BMW rebuilt for $700.
The $500 extra is so you can say, "Genuine BMW."
It’s like when I got the coil packs. Genuine BMW 70 online (167 dollars each at a ritz BMW dealership in Savannah, just to illustrate what a ripoff that place is), while the coils sporting just the Bosch brand, same part, 30 dollars (or 137 dollars less than at the dealer).
Appreciate 0
      11-09-2022, 06:25 PM   #4
pokeybritches
Colonel
pokeybritches's Avatar
United_States
494
Rep
2,784
Posts

Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 BMW Z4M  [10.00]
2006 BMW Z4M  [8.50]
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i  [9.00]
Valeo is the manufacturer of the "OEM" starter. I would stick with Valeo if possible... not because it's better, but the ECU is very sensitive to electrical changes. The programming is over-engineered to model the alternator's output and response, and any deviations in hardware *could* cause odd behavior. I will caveat that I have not tested the Bosch alternator. I can confirm that cheaper Autozone alternatives WILL cause issues.
__________________


VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
Appreciate 0
      11-09-2022, 06:48 PM   #5
Ascanio
Private
13
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Savannah, GA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks! Good to know! Yes Valeo and Bosch are both OE suppliers and respectable, and I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that some models or MY have one and others have the other
Appreciate 0
      11-10-2022, 02:08 AM   #6
Westersund
Captain
Westersund's Avatar
Sweden
665
Rep
969
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hallstahammar

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
Valeo is the manufacturer of the "OEM" starter. I would stick with Valeo if possible... not because it's better, but the ECU is very sensitive to electrical changes. The programming is over-engineered to model the alternator's output and response, and any deviations in hardware *could* cause odd behavior. I will caveat that I have not tested the Bosch alternator. I can confirm that cheaper Autozone alternatives WILL cause issues.
I can confirm that the OE one is a Valeo as I have changed mine a few years ago, still have it laying around since the starter wasn't the problem.
__________________
BMW M2 LCI -18 | BMW 520DA Touring M-Sport -12
| BMW Z4 M Coupe -06 | BMW M3 -02 | BMW Z3 Coupe -99 | BMW 740i/6 -96 | BMW M5 3.8 -92 | BMW M535i -87
Appreciate 0
      11-10-2022, 06:32 AM   #7
Ascanio
Private
13
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Savannah, GA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Westersund View Post
I can confirm that the OE one is a Valeo as I have changed mine a few years ago, still have it laying around since the starter wasn't the problem.
What symptoms did the car have? And what was the problem?
Appreciate 0
      11-10-2022, 10:08 AM   #8
Westersund
Captain
Westersund's Avatar
Sweden
665
Rep
969
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hallstahammar

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ascanio View Post
What symptoms did the car have? And what was the problem?
Problems to start, especially when it was cold and wet (autum) or when the car hadn't been driven for a couple of weeks. When it didn't start it didn't engage the starter enough on the flywheel and grind the gears. Turned out that the brand new battery was a 63 amp one, got one for a regular Z4 and not a Z4 M.
__________________
BMW M2 LCI -18 | BMW 520DA Touring M-Sport -12
| BMW Z4 M Coupe -06 | BMW M3 -02 | BMW Z3 Coupe -99 | BMW 740i/6 -96 | BMW M5 3.8 -92 | BMW M535i -87
Appreciate 0
      11-10-2022, 10:12 AM   #9
Ascanio
Private
13
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Savannah, GA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Westersund View Post
Problems to start, especially when it was cold and wet (autum) or when the car hadn't been driven for a couple of weeks. When it didn't start it didn't engage the starter enough on the flywheel and grind the gears. Turned out that the brand new battery was a 63 amp one, got one for a regular Z4 and not a Z4 M.
I put a DieHard H7 battery. It does have SOMETIMES extremely slow cranking on a cold engine, even 5 hours after a drive, so slow that it will fail to start. Will try 4-6 times. Then all of a sudden fast cranking and engine starting fine.

A German mechanic inspected it, held the car for a couple days, told me the starter motor is going bust.
Then told me the part is 1500 dollars, refused to install one I would provide.
Appreciate 0
      11-11-2022, 10:09 AM   #10
Westersund
Captain
Westersund's Avatar
Sweden
665
Rep
969
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hallstahammar

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ascanio View Post
I put a DieHard H7 battery. It does have SOMETIMES extremely slow cranking on a cold engine, even 5 hours after a drive, so slow that it will fail to start. Will try 4-6 times. Then all of a sudden fast cranking and engine starting fine.

A German mechanic inspected it, held the car for a couple days, told me the starter motor is going bust.
Then told me the part is 1500 dollars, refused to install one I would provide.
Have you changed the ignition switch? When I had starting problems I did it in this order:

1. Ignition switch
2. Starter
3. Battery

If I only knew the hack that works only with batteries gave me the wrong one.
__________________
BMW M2 LCI -18 | BMW 520DA Touring M-Sport -12
| BMW Z4 M Coupe -06 | BMW M3 -02 | BMW Z3 Coupe -99 | BMW 740i/6 -96 | BMW M5 3.8 -92 | BMW M535i -87
Appreciate 0
      11-11-2022, 10:11 AM   #11
Ascanio
Private
13
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Savannah, GA

iTrader: (0)

I do have a replacement ignition switch in my drawer. Have forgotten about that!!!
Yup will have to get to it and replace it to see if it helps
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:51 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST