E30M3StarterInstall

From John Clarke Mills Project Wiki

I just installed the 1980's E30 M3 starter and wow!  I would highly recommend this starter over any other.  Since I raised my compression ratio it has been very hard to get the thing started and I couldnt figure out why.  Turns out the stock 02 starter is not that torquey.  I think the price is the same as any starter, but even if it wasnt, I'd still buy this starter.   I barely even flick the key and the thing leaps to life.  It is shocking.

You can get it from any of the BMW shops in town in under 1 day.  The part number is 12.41.1.312.130 and its $171, or $155 with the return of your old starter.  There is also a support bracket that is on back order which I will be installing in a week or so.  Its not critical but it just takes some of the load off of the starter housing.  It costs $10.00 and the part number is 12.41.1.308.480.

The install wasnt that hard, although it was a little bit tricky. I have a carbureted 02 with the stock manifold so I had to move a few things out the way including the lower water hose, the lower water temp sensor (left over from smog), the dipstick tube, and some miscellaneous wiring. After that, it was just a wiggle and a hard shake to get it out. The new starter is much smaller and lighter so its a piece of cake to get in.