Removing starter

[ellisjay2]

Is it true that to remove the starter on an m42 it is necessary to remove the intake manifold, or the transmission to gain access, I read this in a manual?

[hornhospital]

No. You may have to remove the dipstick tube to get at the upper starter motor bolt, but it will come out with everything else in place. It's TIGHT, and a puzzle to get it rotated around to drop down through the engine bay, but it will come out. Getting the bolts out (and back in) is the "fun" part.
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'95 318is, Boston Green, beige leather, auto, 191K miles

[Jeron]

You dont have to remove the intake manifold or the tranny.

You should remove the intake tubing to the manifold. If the bolts don't thread into the starter itself (the starter housing isn't threaded) then you will have to hold the nuts while turning the bolts. This is not an easy job and may require several socket extensions.