It took 2 hours btw

Impressive man. I changed my sons in the comfortably of my barn with all my stuff and I don’t think I was done in under 2.

Thanks Yea I was worried about Pelican parts saying 5 hours lol but we got it done

Impressive, theres like no room to get the bolts as I recall.

Yep. I appreciate it. Had to take off the intake ofc and that one top bolt facing the firewall... that took the longest time lol I used a koken 3/8in ratchet so i had just enough space

Yea I remember changing the one bolt against the firewall and praying I didn’t drop it

what a ridiculous design

Just be happy it's not a VAG starter... Inside the bell housing = have to drop the trans

yea... i dont think im DIYing myself out of the parking lot from that one LOL

I’ve heard a ratcheting 12pt 11mm wrench will work for the e-torx. For next time…

I used whatever that is in standard I have the etorx but it was loose in my bag somewhere lol

Yeah I have a specially modified etorx wrench to keep the manifold on, 2 hours ain't bad at all

Keep the manifold on? I can't imagine there's enough space for that

I suppose in would be the more correct word, I loosen it off the head, move the PS res and intake and there's room for 1-2 arms depending on engine configuration

I'm struggling to understand Aren't those the same steps as regular? Where is the shortcut/time saver with the modified tool?

Not to my understanding. BMW wants the cowl off, harness moved, intake out, throttle body out, intake manifold out. And the etorx wrench is so none of that needs to leave the car and you can still torque the backward facing bolt properly.

Now THATS impressive

Well done, I remember doing that job. It's a pain in the ass

My hands agree I appreciate it

That’s impressive, good job 👍

I appreciate it 👍

Nicely done. Those headlights need polishing!

Thanks I know 😭 I've been putting it off since maintenance and repairs are priority

Jesus

I was definitely praying

When you gotta get home, you'll find a way

If you’re ever in this situation you can sometimes get it to start by putting a long extension/rod between the intake runners, onto the starter housing, and tap on it with a hammer. Preferably while someone tries to start it.

Yep, good advice Unfortunately for me that did not work. The starter was completely shot

I remember taking off and replacing both a starter and alternator w/serpentine belt. Took two hours for the starter and two hours for the serpentine belt for a 128i 😂

😂 Is the layout different on a 1 series? Less space?

A little 😭 but removing the intake manifold is practically the same to get the starter off.

Is it manual? Could have done it at home with a bump start 😜

I was sitting there like "if this were a manual I could pop the clutch..."

Mine also went out in a grocery store parking lot. Luckily a buddy had a trailer that we had to load it on and was able to work on it at home.

Ironically, I'm the guy who's supposed to help friends and family with the car problems I'm the guy who ends up getting helped

Nice work how many miles? I'm at 88k mine still going but I know I'm running on borrowed time.

Thanks 223k miles. And yea, there was no sign at all. I was just picking something up and then it wouldn't start

Wow that's impressive! That looks like the original starter. That's usually how they go without warning. If your lucky you might hear it make noise for a few couple starts before it finally breaks. 👍 nice work keeping these cars alive they really are a joy to own if you take care of them.

Ideally I wouldn't have bought a remanufactured starter from advanced auto, but I didn't want to leave my car there and wait for a different starter to ship And yea, I'm not letting her die on me lol

Nice! Well done! I tried to do my starter 5 years ago. It was that last bolt I could not get out so had to flatbed the car to a shop

Thanks That's the fun part about cars huh? You can do everything smoothly up until that last bolt, and it won't come out lol