Expert: Sean Halliday - 4/10/2008

Question
Sean Iam having problems with my starter.When I turn the key its makes this very erratic noise and it does not fire up. with constant turning of the key, it finally cranks. do you think its starter or some other source and if it is the starter how hard would it be to replace it on my own. the car is a manual shift.

Answer
If you go to Google and type in "how to remove the starter on a bmw 318ti"it will have pictures and exact steps and tools to do this.You will need to remove the intake manifold and possibly the cross member.Its fairly difficult and depending on your know how,on a 1-10,,its about a 6.The site is bmw forums.org.If you search this you will find all you need.Finally,patience and take maybe a saturday to do this as it may take a while.Bmw,shop manual allows 2 hours for this but thats a ridiculous time as i have never removed one in anywhere near that.Good luck.