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  #1  
Old 11-24-2018, 10:35 PM
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Alternator: Bosch and Valeo are interchangeable...

FWIW...

The friend's 2004 X3 M54 engine has 155K.
The factory was Bosch, replaced the alternator simply b/c at that mileage, anything can happen to the alternator. He needs the car to go to work and drives long distance often...

Replaced with Valeo (made in Poland), perfect fit.


Couple things:

1. Bosch and Valeo are interchangeable.

2. Don't swap Pulleys (the pulleys are NOT interchangeable), use the pulley that come with the alternator.

3. The electrical connector from the car shows only 1 pin. The Bosch alternator has 2 pins, Valeo has 1 pin. But it does not matter, it works perfectly with either Bosch or Valeo.

4. The Valeo installation is MUCH easier, the Valeo does not have the bottom bolt tightness issue. Recall that the Bosch bottom attachment is very difficult to align simply because it is a tight fit. The Valeo just slides right in, very easy.

Check the price, if Valeo is cheaper, then use Valeo.
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Last edited by cn90; 11-25-2018 at 12:56 AM.
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  #2  
Old 11-25-2018, 04:44 PM
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Saying that the Valeo alternator is a better fit because you don't know to tap the bushing back on the Bosch is a bit ridiculous. I would not say extra pin does not matter unless you know exactly the purpose of it.
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Old 11-25-2018, 05:16 PM
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80tech,

You sound a bit arrogant...

I know exactly how to tap the bushing back on the Bosch.

The average person reading this thread will have a difficult time installing the Bosch.
I have the 1998 528i, same issue with Bosch bottom bolt.
Bosch for some stupid reasons, decided to make the bottom bolt attachment super tight!

Bosch is fine as long as the installer knows the trick.

Valeo is easy like 1-2-3.
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2006 E53 X5 3.0 6sp MT

Last edited by cn90; 11-25-2018 at 05:26 PM.
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  #4  
Old 11-25-2018, 05:32 PM
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I know the exact purpose of the extra pin. The thing is...the factory connector has shows "2 pins" physically, but when you look closely, there is only 1 metal connector, the other one has plastic slot without any metal connector.

Anyway car runs fine with Valeo.
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  #5  
Old 11-27-2018, 12:32 AM
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The extra pin is for remote voltage sensing and not used on the E83 but is used on the E53 with the Bosch Alternator for closer control of battery charging voltage.
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  #6  
Old 12-02-2018, 01:24 AM
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On the issue of bottom bolt being a "sliding nut"...

Some people thread the bolt in completely and gently tap it out 1-2 mm, this is enough for installation.

In the photo below, it is tapped all the way out just to show it, but you don't have to tap all the way out, just 1-2mm is good enough.


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