Thanks for the post- it helped me even though I wasn't replacing the alternator (not sure what happened to the pictures from the water pump series!).

One thing to note: My '01 X5 3.0i with MANUAL transmission has a hydraulic tensioner for the drive belt, and the bolt on the PULLEY is turned clockwise to relieve tension. I think the fact that mine is a manual may have something to do with the clockwise rotation because other folks have indicated CC. With the hydraulic tensioner, look at which way the thing has to move to compress the piston, and apply torque to make it happen. No impacts, by the way, just leverage. <-- From the BMW tech.

Thanks Again.