Alternator / generator: $800 or $700

[fast4d]

got the battery light at 110k miles. battery is 3 months old and reads 12v with engine off. with engine off voltage drops to 11volts so a new alternator it is.


A remanufactured bosch unit with a BMW sticker costs $800 at the dealer. my wife wanted her car back ASAP so we bought it there.

mail order for a bosch unit would have been about $700. I think we'll have an easier time with the dealer if we had to warranty it.

the biggest PITA in the job is I have to drain the coolant. otherwise it's just bolt on.

[DocMike]

Originally Posted by fast4d

got the battery light at 110k miles. battery is 3 months old and reads 12v with engine off. with engine off voltage drops to 11volts so a new alternator it is.


A remanufactured bosch unit with a BMW sticker costs $800 at the dealer. my wife wanted her car back ASAP so we bought it there.

mail order for a bosch unit would have been about $700. I think we'll have an easier time with the dealer if we had to warranty it.

the biggest PITA in the job is I have to drain the coolant. otherwise it's just bolt on.

Mine was rebuilt for $200

[fast4d]

you mean you took yours to a rebuilder and had them do it? I've had that done before and it didn't last long for me. since it's such as PITA to r/r the alternator and it's my wife's car I didn't want to chance it.

[DocMike]

Originally Posted by fast4d

you mean you took yours to a rebuilder and had them do it? I've had that done before and it didn't last long for me. since it's such as PITA to r/r the alternator and it's my wife's car I didn't want to chance it.

Yes I had no idea the alternator was bad, and when I took it to the shop I was informed it was bad. The guy working on my car does a lot of e39 stuff and said the rebuild was fine on the units, so..... I just decided to rebuild. If I need a new one later I will buy it

[jayjay_dee]

Is alternator covered by LuxuryCare from WD?

[fast4d]

well the battery light is now coming on and off sparatically. the voltage is fine at 13.9x volts with engine on. wife being paranoid so its at the dealer. they question the battery since it was driven about 100 miles with the batt light on.

[EOD Guy]

I paid $135, friend from ORileys Auto parts, BOSH rebuild w a life time warrenty.

[fast4d]

wow. it's good to have connections.

[tonycajjo]

i got one for $400, somtimes just the berings go and you can have them replaced for cheap. (rebuild) but if the magnets and such inside are bad, then you need a new one.

it is a bolt on, but you need to remove alot to get at it. its also a tight fit sneaking it in and out. check your belts now, its a good time to replacement them if necessary.