RB, interestingly enough, according to the records from the previous owner, on my 03 3.0, dealer replaced alternator at 79k miles. The replacement unit (Bosch Reman) works just fine at close to 208k miles. Possibly bad batch of alternators on 03 models.

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2012 X5 x35i My new toy
2005 X5 4.4 Her's (Retrofitted Servotronic Steering Rack)
2003 X5 3.0 Mine (Retrofitted Servotronic Steering Rack and Heated Steering Wheel)
2001 M5 Son's car
2000 540i 6sp Sports pkg, supercharged. Son's car (Sold)
2001 530i (Sold)
1999 528i (Sold)
1975 2002 (Sold)