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      11-09-2022, 12:19 PM   #1
Ascanio
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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?
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      11-09-2022, 03:28 PM   #2
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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."
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      11-09-2022, 03:35 PM   #3
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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).
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      11-09-2022, 06:25 PM   #4
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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.
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      11-09-2022, 06:48 PM   #5
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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
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      11-10-2022, 02:08 AM   #6
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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.
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      11-10-2022, 06:32 AM   #7
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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?
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      11-10-2022, 10:08 AM   #8
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Quote:
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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.
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      11-10-2022, 10:12 AM   #9
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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.
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      11-11-2022, 10:09 AM   #10
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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.
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      11-11-2022, 10:11 AM   #11
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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
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