happy wanderer
Day Dreaming ...
Do you happen to have the years involved with the different starters? My old 98 Saturn has the bad design but after 188K no problems. It's my 03 R1150RT that has me a bit worried. How common is the magnet problem?
Sorry PAS, no idea where and when BMW used the D6RA-55 Valeo part. I do know for sure that my '96 RT had one in it and in '95 and '96 they were failing frequently. It is very easy to check though. If the part number label is not visible pulling the starter from an oilhead is very easy once you figure out the right angle to wiggle it out of there. No matter which one you have it's also a good idea to pull it every year or so and clean out the bendix gear, nose bushing etc. and lightly lube it. While you are in there with the starter out of the way you can also measure clutch wear and spline wear.