So, everymorning when I get into my car and turn on my ignition. My starter seems to make a loud crank noise as if I'm still holding down the button to start the ignition after my engine has already ignited on. Anyone have any problems with this? Should I bring this back to the dealership and have it checked?

 

If it was an American vehicle, I would say that the bendix gear is defective. Needs to be fixed. The bendix moves the starter gear into and out of the flywheel. Sometimes they go bad, and they can also grind up the flywheel.

 

It's an auto so no flywheel I'm assuming

 

Not a flywheel, but more of a ring gear. Still has teeth that can be worn down...Of topic a lil, does anyone have a problem with the starter cranking longer than 5 seconds before the engine starts. Sometimes she starts right off, other times, it takes a bit longer...

 

Starter is bad - just had mine replaced before the warrenty expired. Not sure on the cost but I think it would have been around $600

 

no, you could pull your starter and try to lubricate the bendix gear/drive. it engages by pushing out to start your engine and pulling back in when your vehcile starts. should be out just long enough to use battery power to crank the engine until the fuel/air/spark mixture can ignite and sustain. it would seem the gear is hanging up and not pulling out fast enough, which could be dangerous as some may know a timely pull out is key to avoiding a future unintended problems take that how you want to you sick bastards.

you could try to lubricate this gear/drive. bmw wont do it for you though. hope you have tools and a knack for fixing things.