- Check what you have in the car. Bosch and Valeo can be interchanged but best is to stick with what you have now.

- Stay away from local store alternator, it is all Chinese stuff.

- Bosch is AL0703N ("N" is new). About $200 online (FCPEuro, ebay etc.)

- Valeo is 12317551253, about $300 online or ebay etc.

If you want to be adventurous, then rebuild it with new bearings and VR, info on bimmerfest E39 forum.

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1998 E39 528i 5sp MT
2006 E53 X5 3.0 6sp MT