Alternator

[Bounce]

Im waiting for my alternator to pack up,as I'm still on the original one at over 70k miles.I had to have a new one in my stock M3 at 35k miles and knowing what a problem they are on the E46 M3 it's only a matter of time.So I was wondering how many of you have new ones and how many are still running with the original.

[monkeycsl]

New one at 30k new water pump 33k not good really my old e36 evo was on 137k and on original pump and alternator! Seems bmw wanted them to not last on the e46.I paid 850 for my water pump fitted what a rip off.

[outnumbered]

Just had mine changed last week under warranty - about 56K miles (same mileage it went in my old E46), intermittent red battery light of doom.

If you're fixing it yourself, googling suggests it's usually the voltage regulator that fails, so that would be a much cheaper fix either DIY or via a good indy.

But if BMW want to rinse their warranty company for £6-700 a pop, I guess I don't care that much !

[shimmy]

mine went around 60k i thiink

[3wheels3]

Mine @ 40k iirc. Is a horrible but easily fixable breakdown. Can take your battery with it aswell which may trigger numerous warning lights after alternator is sorted out.

[shane@mbtech]

Im keeping used spare, you never know. Ill be taking it to Germany/spa with me artyman:

[Bounce]

Mine @ 40k iirc. Is a horrible but easily fixable breakdown. Can take your battery with it aswell which may trigger numerous warning lights after alternator is sorted out.

This is the trouble Wheels,do I get it changed,or wait for it to go(probably when I'm off on a trackday) and get it under warranty but will balls the day up:banghead:

[shimmy]

Im keeping used spare, you never know. Ill be taking it to Germany/spa with me artyman:

thanks

ill bring a spare break disc and some vaseline

[shimmy]

mine went around 60k i thiink

ive just remembered, mine didnt go wrong, it was just a pre-emptive strike

[3wheels3]

I had next to no warning it was going and it seems to be a 40k-60k life time. Add to that the £100 excess warranty option, likely busted battery and new one at local indy looks attractive. You may get a buzz from Russian Roulette game with it but odds are one time it will not be empty chamber...

[rstoughy]

70k for me and as far as i'm aware its the original.
Nothing in the paperwork to suggest otherwise and it looks just a manky as the rest of the engine :bigcry:

[shimmy]

70k for me and as far as i'm aware its the original.
Nothing in the paperwork to suggest otherwise and it looks just a manky as the rest of the engine :bigcry:

Mine looked mankier than the engine

[shane@mbtech]

Mine looked mankier than the engine

Not surprisedartyman:, Lucky fucker.

[azrael]

Mine went on the way back from Murketts having collected the car. Was in the 40k's mileage wise. It had been there six weeks though

[Bounce]

Mine went on the way back from Murketts having collected the car. Was in the 40k's mileage wise. It had been there six weeks though

Was that lucky,or unlucky :hahaha: