WTF? starter spins first then engages...

[muppet]

This problem has been getting worse so Im putting in an order for a starter today, but just wanted to know if anyone has ever had this problem. I turn the key to start, the starter spins freely and then will engage the flywheel after a few seconds. What would cause the bendix to be delayed like that? weirdness

[Adrian_Visser]

sticky solenoid? that sure aint good for the teeth on your flywheel though i'd fix asap starters are cheap no biggie

[muppet]

i know its bad, but there was very little to no grinding once it finally engages. Ordered a rebuilt from bimmerparts, overnighted. How bad is this on the ix??

[drift]

Mine did that a couple of times, 2 wires on it were loose, tighten up and fixed.

[Collin]

Could the mounting bolts be loose? A little wiggle on the starter will stop it from engaging correctly.