New Alternator

[slowlanemcvane]

So my wife's alternator died on her X a few weeks ago. I was out of town for a few weeks with the Army, so it was no big deal to let her use my truck (2005 Excursion Diesel, funny to watch her get into and out of my big truck, given that she's 5'4" tops)

So the day after I got home, I stripped the alternator out of the car and started pricing out replacement alternators to use. Unfortunately her car has the 220 amp alternator that comes with the towing package and with the 4-zone climate control-equipped cars. Pricing was almost impossible, since only dealerships and ECS Tuning seemed to carry the 220A alternator. My local stealership wanted $950 plus tax for the alternator, ECS wanted $700 plus a core, plus tax, plus shipping, which would have made it cheaper than the dealership, but still wouldn't get the car up and running anywhere close to same day.

So I took the alternator to Autozone, along with her battery to have them tested. They hooked the alternator up to their machine, and sure enough, it failed miserably. The battery was fine, just completely depleted, so I would have to hook it up to my charger when I got home. The guy at the Autozone happened to be the manager, and he was pretty sharp, he only listed the 180 amp alternator for the 2007 X5. But he knew enough about BMWs from his time with the company to know that he might be able to find it on a later model year, so he looked it up on a 2008 X5, and a 230 amp Valeo (OEM brand!) alternator was listed as available. Cost? $249.99, plus a $35 core, plus tax, so out the door for $305 for a limited lifetime warranty Valeo alternator wrapped up in Duralast packaging. So basically, I got an OEM replacement for right around 30% of what I would have paid at the dealer, who was going to be my next stop.

Moral of the story? Don't overlook Autozone, and if the part isn't being listed as available for your model year, ask the clerk to look at surrounding model years from the same chassis before you run to the dealership.

[ard]

^ Well if Valeo REALLY does make the OE part, then a new Valeo is OEM...and a rebuilt Valeo is a rebuilt OEM....and a core rebuilt by unknown is an aftermarket.

One comment to the OP- ECS tuning buys OE parts from a BMW dealership.

Lots of Internet vendors source OE parts from various dealers.

Plus lots of BMW dealers run internet storefronts.

But to my knowledge there is NO vendor for OE parts that is not also a BMW dealership.

[ard]

Originally Posted by trader4

I disagree that there are no vendors for OEM parts except a BMW dealership. There are lots of vendors selling OEM parts, ie made by
the same manufacturer that supplies BMW, that don't go through a dealership.

We agree.

If you read what I wrote, I am one of the few people who distinguish OE from OEM.

OE=BMW

OEM= the *M*anufacturer that made it for BMW.


OT but many parts are made by someone that once made parts for a BMW- like Bosch, Mann, Miele...but they dont actually make THE part that you are seeking. So you have an OEM, but then didnt make the OE part. So the part itself is more accurately called "aftermarket by an OEM".

It has become a useless term due to manipulation by the market...IMO

[Bill K]

The first time an alternator goes bad, it's usually just the regulator. Did you check for a new regulator?

[Proflyer]

^ correct Bill K! An alternator can't really GO bad. It's just magnents and copper coil. A 'rebuilt' alternator generally just gets a new regulator, thus them wanting the core. Dismantling an alternator though to replace the regulator isn't necessarily a garage bench type of job for most. Starters are the same way FYI and really just an alternator in reverse.

Either way, if it fits and the regulator is the same output, you should be just fine. Good job OP.

Also, while everyone wants to hack at autozone (duralast, whatever), realize that there are just a small handful of manufacturers for parts like this. The regulator you got on your OE alternator is likely made by the same folks that make them for several other auto manufacturers. It's an electrical part, they go bad, replace what goes bad and move along. Their warranty is generally very good. If you plan on keeping the car for a long time, paying a few extra $ for the lifetime warranty at an autozone isn't ever a bad idea. They're all over the place and I've had to use that in a pinch while out of town more than once in my life. Plus, they'll generally deliver to an indy shop so you can get back on the road pretty quick for just the labor.

[ard]

^^ Plus a few bearings.

But agree, regulator is usually the issue.

[Chris mac]

If it is just the regulator is it as easy as take old one off and install new one?
No taking alternator apart?

[Zulu95]

When I did the one in the 3.0L it was a couple of screws and a good cleaning of the rings where the brushes contact.