When did BMW Change to Air Cooled Alternator?
 

I have a 2006 4.4i. I was surprised to learn that it has an air cooled alternator.

Does anyone know when they switched from the water cooled on the older 4.4i X5?

all new generation v8 X5 engines are air cooled. do you need one?

12 31 7 540 994, Alternator $317.37

Thanks, but no, I had it replaced... But I was under the impression (from the repair manual) that all v8s had water cooled.

Had I known beforehand I would have saved a few hundred bucks and done it myself.