[e90will]

Hey guys,

For those of you who have replaced your original starter or alternator, how many miles you had on your cars?

I'm at 170K with the original ones and deciding if I need to replace them before taking it for a long trip. Trying to prevent from being stranded.


TIA!

[e90will]

Bump

Anyone? I'm sure at least one of you have got these replaced

[Efthreeoh]

I'm at 288K on the orginals, if that helps any.

[PichaDis11]

I woke up that day and decided to give her a well needed wash before winter hits fuller. Starter died in the driveway. This describes the randomness of how these things could die. I was so upset that I kinda forgot to even record the mileage it happened at but my guess it was about 95k around there. Still on the original Alternator though.

Seeing that you and @Efthreeoh both have a 325 of the same year, I'm now thinking that was the good batch starters. lol

[fun2drive]

Not my E93 but my M3/4 was at 274K miles on the original alternator which was still fine. I rebuilt it. My starter was toast and did replace that so it is a good product. How many times a day do you start the engine counts a lot.
Starter is a PITA to replace...

[humbertob]

I replaced the starter on my son's 2007 E92 with only 70k miles, just died in the driveway

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Starter tends to be an unexpected failure, though it's rare in the grand scheme of things. It's an item that will just crap out unexpectedly. If you hear grinding shortly after start (YouTube starter grinding noise for a reference, text sucks at describing sound), it may mean your starter is starting to stick and you'd want to use that as a warning sign to replace it.

My advice is, if it's still working, don't worry about it.

[lookalikehuuh]

Having just had both rebuilt... both in the last month... i can say they are quality units. Both of mine were the original units from late 2006 330i.

Alternator-At around 145k miles. Mine was actually ok but i was getting a TERRIBLE rattling noise from it. Turns out one of the bearings had a crack. Electrically it was still perfect. Guy who rebuilds alternators said it was "top" quality stuff.

Starter- At around 152k miles. Zero warning. I started my car, drove to work. Noticed a closer parking spot, tried to start car... i got a half crank and then nothing... had to be towed home. Next day took it out and had it rebuilt. Brushes were toast and there was a burn mark on a copper rotor part inside. Anyway rebuilder said they are of "good" quality starters.

That being said if you truly have the original starter it prob wouldn't be a bad idea to have it replaced with a quality unit (not from Autozone, Oreilly, etc.) or rebuilt. The alternator i wouldn't worry too much about.

[e90will]

Thanks guys! That's good to know. It speaks a lot about the quality of these parts.

Other non-bmw cars I had in the past, I had to replace the alternator at least once before 100K.

[e90will]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I'm at 288K on the orginals, if that helps any.

That's pretty damn good!! 288k on original ones? We hope our cars can last that long, lol

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by e90will

That's pretty damn good!! 288k on original ones? We hope our cars can last that long, lol

I'm hoping to hit 300K. Then I plan on a starter, alt, new tensioner and idler pulleys, and PCV. And I need a clutch sometime soon. Oh, and new engine mounts.

[Stuttgartter]

In the process of replaceing mine at 112k. Died in the driveway no notice, just died.

[Spun Crankhub]

I think both of those are NOT known for failure, and of course you will hear anecdotal experience of them going out, but I would not worry.

[hondarayblue]

My starter started failing at 48k. I had a new one installed under warranty.

[3s4u2]

In my case I and on my 2nd started they seem to be good for 100K miles in my case. Just replace the alternator around 238K Miles. Still have the original water pump and have one on the shelf for when the day comes.