Starter in 2008 X3

My X3 has been a little sluggish starting. Yesterday, it stopped starting at all! New starter needed - to the tune of about $1400. Only 92,000 miles. Anybody else had this problem? I hoped the high dollar repairs were done at 85,000 miles when I had to have the transfer case replaced ($4000). Do I have a lemon or is this normal on these cars? I've had it since it was brand new. All BMW scheduled maintenance done (plus oil changes in-between those high-mileage maintenance visits).

Originally Posted by hobo

My X3 has been a little sluggish starting. Yesterday, it stopped starting at all! New starter needed - to the tune of about $1400. Only 92,000 miles. Anybody else had this problem? I hoped the high dollar repairs were done at 85,000 miles when I had to have the transfer case replaced ($4000). Do I have a lemon or is this normal on these cars? I've had it since it was brand new. All BMW scheduled maintenance done (plus oil changes in-between those high-mileage maintenance visits).

One of the reasons I am getting rid of my 08 X3 is the high cost of repairs and being left stranded waiting for a flatbed. Curious though. I keep getting offers from BMW dealer and BMWNA to extend my warranty. Maybe you should consider that as they are only $2500.00 max and would have covered both your latest problems.

Good Luck

i didn't know bmw still sold warranties to cars out of warranty

I'll look into the extended warranty - how long does that $2500 one cover?

My starter is sounding weak as well.
07 with 93000.

Any warranty the late in the game is not going to be a BMW warranty.

Originally Posted by hobo

My X3 has been a little sluggish starting. Yesterday, it stopped starting at all! New starter needed - to the tune of about $1400. Only 92,000 miles. Anybody else had this problem? I hoped the high dollar repairs were done at 85,000 miles when I had to have the transfer case replaced ($4000). Do I have a lemon or is this normal on these cars? I've had it since it was brand new. All BMW scheduled maintenance done (plus oil changes in-between those high-mileage maintenance visits).

Did the dealer replace the starter? How come so expensive? The starter on my MDX cost me less than $400

Originally Posted by murderland

i didn't know bmw still sold warranties to cars out of warranty

Neither did I. I think they dont know it as well. I keep throwing them out as I am down to about 30 days before I get rid of it.

Sorry about this, but like I said it's one of the reasons I wont keep the car out of warranty.

Yep - dealer replaced the starter. Actually ended up being a little less - $1199 (plus the tow). I didn't know how sluggish it had gotten starting up until today when I started it with the new starter in there. Wow!

Originally Posted by codog2

Did the dealer replace the starter? How come so expensive? The starter on my MDX cost me less than $400

Packaging.

There are some mechanical servicing advantages to that V6 East West layout compared to the inline 6 North South orientation.

The MDX starter motor will likely be easily accessible from above once the battery tray is removed.

I'd guess 1.5 hrs. flat-rate for R&R and $200 for the Denso starter.

For the X3, it's got to be close to the firewall and the front differential and only accessible from below after removing a few other pieces and structural members possibly.

More like 3.5 hrs. I'd say and we know about the cost of German electrical components.

Geez that's surprising. I always assumed German cars had stout starters. My X3 has more much mileage and I have been manually Stop-Starting the vehicle at redlights (excess of 30sec stop) for over 3 years when conditions are appropriate.

i haven't had any problems with my starter *knock on wood* i'm at 116k miles.

from the TIS, it sounds like the starter is pretty easy to replace from under the car??? o.O

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/06/06/79

although i don't know what a Pressure accumulator is to remove and couldn't find an article corresponding to it

Originally Posted by murderland

i haven't had any problems with my starter *knock on wood* i'm at 116k miles.

from the TIS, it sounds like the starter is pretty easy to replace from under the car??? o.O

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/06/06/79

although i don't know what a Pressure accumulator is to remove and couldn't find an article corresponding to it

that is for the X5, albiet it may be very similar.

Originally Posted by SonicBoom

that is for the X5, albiet it may be very similar.

the page redirects from the e83 article tree to that specific article

Originally Posted by murderland

although i don't know what a Pressure accumulator is to remove and couldn't find an article corresponding to it

It may be the vacuum tank for the infamous tail pipe flapper:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...06&postcount=4

Sounds like 4hrs. or so is the dealer time for this job, and a new starter might be $450, while a reman. one is about 1/2 that.

160,000 miles, still the original starter on a 2005 X3 here.

Only electrical gremlin I still haven't traced is my mysterious trio of lights if I've been idling too long. Thankfully, it doesn't happen often.

Originally Posted by Wongway

160,000 miles, still the original starter on a 2005 X3 here.

Only 65K miles (104K km.) and don't expect my starter to die any time soon.

Based on experience related here, I expect these things to go before the starter motor:

- washer pumps

- valve cover gasket

- expansion tank

- intake boot

- front struts

- front suspension bushings

- engine cooling fan

- blower motor

- actuator for transfer case

(Listed in approx. order of likelihood)

Having escaped premature failure of rear springs, differentials, transfer case, A/C, MAF sensor and window regulator up until now, I expect them, like the starter motor, to be good for a while yet.

Haven't even had the A-pillar trim separation problem.

Originally Posted by SonicBoom

that is for the X5, albiet it may be very similar.

For the facelift X3's (N52) the book says to go from the top requiring intake removal. Looks pretty straightforward once you get it out of the way.

Hmm... my starter has been kind of sluggish lately. I wonder if I'll soon experience your issue. I am on the extended warranty until Nov '12. I should bring this up next time I'm at the dealership.