so my alternator seized while I was driving...
 

I started hearing this odd sound (my car was running perfectly no issues no warning lights or anything) and I also felt this odd smell. I thought it was the car in front of me but no it was deff my car. I started getting this vibration and right away I pulled over. Turned her off and looked what could it be... Everything looked good but for some reason whenever I turned my car on I would hear this awful loud noise. Towed it to the shop and sure enough alternator seized.. What are the chances.. Especially since I was about to say farewell to her in the next couple of weeks (upgrading to a e70)
I just picked up a used one (I hope it's good) but wondering if any of you guys had any issues with yours and if you went new or used?

I just replaced mine and went with a remmand Bosch unit.

A decent starter alternator shop can replace the bearing. My dad use to do that, but back then mechanics actually fix things instead of just replace everything.

Amen to that. Unfortunately automotive repair has now only become a standardized processes of R&R and as such "fixing things" has become a lost art. I suspect in the end the former makes three times more money and minimizes any possible liability than the latter.

are the symptoms a screeching sound from the engine... which goes away when the rpms increase?

you do know it is a water cooled alternator! 1st time I'd ever heard of such a thing. Yeah, I now have the lifetime guarantee Bosch in my X5

guess I was $900 lucky.