We have a winner!
List is $584 - can you believe he tried to tell me parts dept said its $685? Luckily I had my homework done - Service Advisor apologized and said he wouldn't charge over list, he probably almost spit his coffee out when I asked him point blank just now on why they would price gouge me 15% over list price?
I think he said $937 installed is my total - so I think 2 hours of labor to R&R the alternator which is fine.
The additional "needs" are great though that he said the tech noted:
-Battery won't hold a charge (YOU THINK?) - I told him I'm sure it would once the alternator works, if it doesn't, I just bough this Bosch from Pep Boys in December and will swap it out (4 year warranty) - just for giggles, "how much is BMW battery?" - $387
-"Both front door handles are sticking/inoperable, recommend door carriers" I told him the passenger carrier is sitting on my shelf, and the drivers door is perfectly fine, but if some magic way it broke over the weekend while sitting in their parking lot,
I'll get in through the rear doors and do that one as well next weekend -
I'm sure the biggest money maker for techs is the 1 hour of labor (2 hours book time I'm sure) for the door carrier or window regulator. Especially considering how much they were trying to mark the parts up for me.
Hey StephenVA, you seem to be a pretty knowledgeable charging system guy - what do you think the chance is that the Bosch AGM that I bought back in December is fried from driving it with the alternator dying on Saturday?