What SHOULD a 535i starter sound like?

[nirvana19]

I know this is sort of a strange request, but does anyone have a video or something showing what the starter should sound like. When my car was in for inspection (at a BMW indy shop) the mechanic said that my starter was loud and would need replacing. It is pretty loud, but I don't recall what the other 535s I test drove sounded like on startup.

My car also makes thats really loud high pitched squealing for a second or two. PO said it was the starter and he googled it years ago and found it was common for the car (honest guy, still friends with him). I've never seen ANY mention of it on this board though

[borderchris]

Well, my '89 535i with 193,000 has the original in it, and, while quite reliable, is quite a clanger when starting. Kind of a metallic, clanging sound. Anyway, my indy advised me that this is normal flywheel to starter tooth wear, and unless you replace the flywheel too, it's a waste of money.

Chris

[borderchris]

Oh... and, technically, the starter should be very quiet- most other early 90's 5's I listen to sound more "japanese" (kind of quick and electronic as opposed to big and metallic). Some healthy 535i's I've heard start on the first turn, and with basically no crank sound. Oh well...

[myles]

Mine sounds very much like a newer BMW. I had the starter replaced cause the old one was shagged. And a new battery a year or so later made it sound even better.

[Derek A.]

Mine is quiet. No Messerschmidt style starter sound happening. Start was replaced a few years ago and the flywheel is an e28 unit.

[wjbell]

Funny, I just happen to have one.. from an idle post I was asking about a while back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akFcRBpXUYA

[e34m30SF]

Yup...that's what my starter sounds like. Same with my previous 89 535i. I've heard some 735i's that sound exactly the same, due to it being the same engine.

[Torque]

Mine sounds that way too. My m20 525 sounded pretty similar too.

[nirvana19]

Eh mine doesn't sound quite like that, its a bit more.. metallic and slow (nearing time for a new battery) Exhaust is new, but my engine has fairly noisy valves (clack clack clack clack clack) and sounds like a truck. I think its time for a major engine tune-up.

And I've still never been able to figure out what that damn whoosh my car makes is. I posted months ago and there were a couple suggestions, but I'm not sure that anyone acutally knows what I'm talking about. I'll post a video later

[///Sniper535]

My car sounds like the one in the vid. Is that the way it should sound?