Preventative replacement of alternator?

esevx5 · #1 11-30-2025, 03:11 PM

I found a new aftermarket alternator (for $80) that i was thinking of preventative replacing on my e70 N52 X5 with 211k miles

Or just getting it to have as a spare in case mine ever fails

Mine seems to still chug along well but is this something that fails out of the blue?

josiahg52 · #2 11-30-2025, 08:42 PM

I don't think so, I plan to at 200k, but I'm going to use a Bosch remanufactured or a BMW one. Rather do it once and using one of those will increase that odd.

andrewwynn · #3 12-01-2025, 12:10 AM

They will always wear out the slip rings and brushes.

Having a spare is not a bad idea.

–awr–

Using Tapatalk VIP on iPhone

josiahg52 · #4 12-01-2025, 07:18 AM

Who makes that $80 aftermarket alternator?

Bdc101 · #5 12-01-2025, 07:23 PM

I wouldn't ever buy Bosch again. I did that on my E53 and it lasted around 17k miles before it failed.

I was actually just thinking of this for my E70 though. I'm big on preventative maintenance and I think mine is original at around 146k miles. What would you guys go with if you were going to replace it? I am actually going to do belts soon so I could do this at the same time.

80stech · #6 12-01-2025, 07:36 PM

The Bosch rebuilt should be good but the new Bosch that I once ordered was chinesium. That market changes pretty fast and it's hard to keep up with what is good any more!

Bdc101 · #7 12-03-2025, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80stech

The Bosch rebuilt should be good but the new Bosch that I once ordered was chinesium. That market changes pretty fast and it's hard to keep up with what is good any more!

Mine was a Bosch rebuilt unit that failed prematurely, not a new one. Bosch "rebuilt" units are done by some chinese third party under license. The second time I replace it, it was easy to spend a few extra bucks for a Valeo.

80stech · #8 12-03-2025, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Mine was a Bosch rebuilt unit that failed prematurely, not a new one. Bosch "rebuilt" units are done by some chinese third party under license. The second time I replace it, it was easy to spend a few extra bucks for a Valeo.

Yep, the way things change these days with companies it's a crap shoot!

When I bought a Bosch rebuilt it was more expensive than the new Bosch but turned out to be good.

Henn28 · #9 12-01-2025, 09:01 PM

I put a Bosch rebuilt alternator in when I did the motor swap a few years and around 20k ago. So far so good.

I have the original alternator that came out of the x5 during the swap and there is a shop in town that claims to be able to rebuild the Bosh water cooled units. BMW states otherwise. Obviously they can be rebuilt, so is this just BMW steering business to a Bosch company?

I’ve decided to swap my original 4.4 over to the air cooled alternator as part of the rebuild, but maybe I’ll have it rebuilt as a spare.

getty150 · #10 12-02-2025, 01:56 AM

I have a lot of spare this and that. Some oem or aftermarket.
Its a great feeling to need a part especially on a Saturday and to know you have that needed part on the shelf at home. Less stresses if you ask me! No waiting for even express delivery.

Sent from my TMAF035G using Tapatalk