E70 220A Alternator
 

So my alternator bearings are shot, the alternator is purring like a fat cat :rofl: X5 has 136k miles on it now
My options are

1. New Valeo for $420 CAD
2. Reman Valeo for $325 CAD + 125 core charge from CANADIAN AUTO ELECTRIC | Auto Electric Parts | Auto Electric Service Toronto Ontario
3. Chinese special reman from rockauto for $207


For me it comes down to 1 or 3. There isn't enough differential between 1 and 2. Either I take the chance with the Chinese special, or go new. Anyone have experience with the remans?

If it were a 1969 Chevy 350 where you could sit on a stool in front of the car and reach in, loosen two bolts and go... I’d say go for the knock off.

But with as much effort as the alt is to replace on your vehicle - if your options are #1 or #3, I’d go with #1 all day long and (probably) only have to do it once and be done.

I only say “probably” as I have even seen brand new units come out of the box bad, but theres less chance of that happening than there is having to replace the knock off in 6 months when it fails.

Just my .02.


2005 X5 4.4i (04/05 build date)
Titanium Silver w/Black Interior

New Valeo voltage regulator for 62 bucks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-E70...frcectupt=true

My regulator is fine, its the bearings that are shot.

Arh OK. Normally the VR goes first.

But for 400 dollars I'd rebuild the alternator and replace the bearings. With that said, it is not for everybody.

It's a 10yo SUV so I'd go with #3. I've had only good experiences with parts from rockauto.

If you plan on keeping it as long as you can, I'd go genuine BMW.

Just replaced my alternator last weekend. The job itself isn't too hard, so I wouldn't really factor that into the price. Given the fact that a bad alternator can leave you stranded and the litany of ways it can cause issues while it's on its way out though...I would go new Valeo and not Chinese. Which is what I did. For whatever it's worth the one I took out (not sure if original or not) was stamped Valeo and BMW.


EDIT: Missed that you have the diesel. I don't know how complicated the alternator is on that, so that may factor into your decision. I probably could've finished the work on my N62 within 2 hours if I wasn't doing other stuff at the same time.

#1 all day long and twice on Sunday. I tried a rebuilt Valeo from Autozone and had nothing but issues. Modules having faults like my oil level sensor not responding, the battery monitor not responding and a slew of others.



Personally I don't trust the chinese brand so I bought a Valeo brand new and zero problems ever since.

Option #1, brand-new Valeo.

#1 pure and simple.

Most cars the alternator charges the battery and does some light work while driving.

On an E70 its like powering your house. That sucker works HARD between all the electrics normally needed plus seat heaters, mirror heaters, etc.