Parts/BMW E36/E46
BMW E36/E46 · Buyer's guide

E46 RWD Non-M Six-Cylinder Starter Motors: September 2002 Mounting Split

US/LHD E46 RWD non-M gasoline six-cylinder cars: 1999-2000 323i/328i sedans; 2000 323Ci Coupe/Convertible and 328Ci Coupe with M52TU; 2001-2005 325i/330i sedan and 325i Touring where offered; 2001-2006 325Ci/330Ci Coupe/Convertible with M54, plus the cataloged later M56 325 branch. xi/AWD, M3/S54, four-cylinder, diesel, E36, E9x, swaps and non-US/RHD applications are excluded.

Current seller options

WHERE TO BUY

Open an exact listing, then confirm fitment, stock, price, and shipping with the seller before ordering.

Seller links checked . Prices and availability can change.

What you need to know

Resolve by VIN and exact build month first, then compare the installed starter. The checked OE catalog labels transmission as neutral, so no manual-versus-automatic starter split is asserted. Seller observations distinguish early 12412354709 as the non-threaded-hole branch and later 12412354693 as the threaded-hole branch; confirm threaded versus through holes, nose and flange geometry, solenoid/terminal layout, connector clocking, included bolts/nuts and core identity before ordering. Load-test the battery and check cable, ground and control-circuit voltage before condemning the starter. Disconnect battery negative before B+ service and follow current BMW repair instructions.

OEM numbers

BMW exchange starter 12412354709, 1.4 kW, cataloged through 09/2002BMW exchange starter 12412354693, 1.4 kW, cataloged from 09/2002. Checked catalog hardware is Torx bolt 07129904681, M10x65-8.8-ZNS3, quantity two. Bosch solenoid 12411427080 is replaced by 12417515393. Bosch SR0448X and other new/reman equivalents belong only to the exact application their manufacturer listsdo not transfer a cross-reference to the other production branch without explicit VIN/application support.

Supersession

No 12412354709-to-12412354693 supersession is asserted; BMW presents separate through/from-09/2002 branches. BMW's official 12412354709 page lists predecessors 12411466102, 12411712937, 12411715238, 12411735524, 12411738602, 12411738604, 12411740375, 12411740378, 12411740379 and 12412344247. Solenoid 12411427080 -> 12417515393 is a separate checked chain.

Fitment

Resolve by VIN and exact build month first, then compare the installed starter. The checked OE catalog labels transmission as neutral, so no manual-versus-automatic starter split is asserted. Seller observations distinguish early 12412354709 as the non-threaded-hole branch and later 12412354693 as the threaded-hole branch; confirm threaded versus through holes, nose and flange geometry, solenoid/terminal layout, connector clocking, included bolts/nuts and core identity before ordering. Load-test the battery and check cable, ground and control-circuit voltage before condemning the starter. Disconnect battery negative before B+ service and follow current BMW repair instructions.

Aftermarket options

Checked paths include Genuine BMW exchange/reman, Bosch SR0448X/later-family offerings, SEG Automotive and vehicle-specific rebuilt/used units. Require explicit early/later family, VIN/build month, threaded-hole form, connector/terminal layout, nose/clocking, core and warranty confirmation. A no-crank symptom or broad E46 title is not fitment proof.

Before you buy

US/LHD E46 RWD non-M gasoline six-cylinder only. Confirm VIN/build month and installed number; do not assume 12412354709 and 12412354693 interchange. Verify threaded versus through mounting holes, nose/clocking, solenoid terminals, connector and included hardware/core. Before condemning the starter, load-test the battery and check cable/ground voltage drop and the control/interlock circuit. Disconnect battery negative before B+ work, support the starter and use current BMW repair information. Seller price, stock, core and included-component states are dated observations.

Research and fitment sources