E70 N52 alternator nightmare
 

I've been trying to replace the alternator on my wife's 2010 X5 E70 with the 3.0 N52k motor. The vehicle has 4 zone climate control (i think) but does not have adaptive drive. There are 4 separate temp controls in the cabin so to me that would say 4 zone... it's got 4 heated seats as well.

Anyway my problem is finding the correct alternator. Went to rock auto and they have many different choices. I got a Remy remanufactured unit (remy 12891) because it had the 6 groove pulley vs the 7 groove on the remy 12942. I looked at the photos again and it appears the 12942 has the fixed pulley bolt hole in the right place. But the wrong number of grooves in the pulley. It's like each one I try is wrong on their site... or their information is wrong about the 7 groove model. They're all 180A that I am seeing on the site.

I've had issues with the last three orders in a row from rock auto and I'm really not liking that they don't have *any* customer service whatsoever. The descriptions on the parts at rock auto are so vague and there's a multitude of choices for this damn thing it's like they don't give AF and want to make some extra dough from restock fees. Anyone know where to get the right alternator without paying near-dealer prices?

I attached a photo of the old and new side to side so you can see the difference in fixed pulley locations.
I'm getting desperate enough to just try the "7 pulley" model because I don't see anything wrong with having an extra groove as long as I line it up properly when I install it. lol
If I thought it were possible, I'd rebuild this one. But the oil filter housing gasket leaked all over the alternator and IDK if I can get it all cleaned out. The bearings are so shot I think I can move the pulley back and forth through the housing about 1/8". Anyway has anyone else seen the same problem? Am I mis-identifying this one as a 180A when it's a 230A?

Also I wanted to add, I have the same issue at pelicanparts trying to find the alternator with the right bolt hole for the fixed pulley.

Might have found it locally?? If the images are accurate?
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/u...22/2010/bmw/x5

To start with, put your VIN number into REALOEM and determine the correct part number based on your options. We all have our favorite mailorder suppliers, but I use ECS, and have generally gotten very few foul ups over many, many orders. If you plug that part number into ECS's web site, it will give you the valid options, (if there are any).

But it's really crazy how many different alternators these cars use depending on options. I was also surprised to see mine was not a Bosch part.

yeah already did that... there's one more choice off screen. lol

After I took the time to take off the old one and realized the new one is wrong... I cleaned the old one off enough to get a BMW P/N (I think) that doesn't show up on realoem anywhere. It says Bosch on the back of the old alternator. The P/N on the back of the old one is 0121715018 ... that's none of the choices on realoem. If the numbers to the right of the "generator" and "rmfd generator" is correct... it matches absolutely zero of the choices there. :(

Alternator

https://www.ozautoelectrics.com/bosc...lternator.html


Rebuild parts if you want to fix it :

https://www.woodauto.com/bom/34843/BOSCH-0121715018

Also this $80 part is probably all you need if its just not charging.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-BOS...daGcn2&vxp=mtr

Amazon rebuild kit for it.

https://www.amazon.com/2008-2013-MOD.../dp/B075XGVRBB

Definitely not a BMW part number, that's a Bosch number. However, that is a 180A alternator.

Thanks for all the info!
The main reason I am replacing it is because a bearing is dying. But as I stated before also I'm wary to rebuild because of the oil that leaked on it. Maybe if I tried to rebuild I could hose it down with a couple cans of electronics cleaner to clean it up? :dunno:
The rebuild kit sounds like a great option... I'm not afraid to do that kind of thing usually. Might do that on my work truck. :D