Alternator Options

[eacmen]

I might be in the market for another alternator. I usually buy everything from FCP. However I have talked to several folks who had the reman'd bosch units failing quickly.

I found brand new Valeo units for sale at Bimmerworld:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Alternator-120-Amp-12-31-7-831-436_2.html

There is also the "Genuine BMW" option at FCP for significantly more than the Bosch unit (any difference in quality?):

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-alternator-m3-z3-12317831436

Has anyone checked to see if the voltage regulator on all these reman'd units are actually swapped in with new ones?

They all have decent warranties but as we all know...

[heinzboehmer]

FCP sells the new valeo unit too, but they don't have it listed as compatible with the E46 M3, so it's a bit hard to find.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-120-amp-alternator-valeo-12317831436

[Phoenix///M3]

Been running a new Valeo unit for a few years with no issue


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[Tbonem3]

FCP sells the new valeo unit too, but they don't have it listed as compatible with the E46 M3, so it's a bit hard to find.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...eo-12317831436

That's the one to buy!

Who would pay more for a reman???

[BlueBimmers]

Great intel for the eventual need.

[eacmen]

FCP sells the new valeo unit too, but they don't have it listed as compatible with the E46 M3, so it's a bit hard to find.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...eo-12317831436

Dude. Thanks! I would never have found it.

[jet_dogg]

I panic bought the valeo last year because I was under the impression it was being discontinued and fcp idiots gave me the wrong info (unsurprisingly).

At least I paid a lot less than what they have it listed for and it's sitting pretty in a box.

[Nate047]

I replaced the one my car came with with a Bosch unit a couple years ago. Came to find It was overcharging the car, and I replaced it again with the same (FCP) No issues so far on round 2 of Bosch, maybe they fixed the problem.

[George Hill]

Valeo or BMW only, stay away from Bosch or any of the others.

[Shonky]

FCP sells the new valeo unit too, but they don't have it listed as compatible with the E46 M3, so it's a bit hard to find.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...eo-12317831436

I purchased this part number from ECS about 5 years ago to replace my Valeo with a fully new Valeo.

I seem to remember the plugs might be different between Bosch and Valeo though so you had to get the right one? edit: Looking at the pictures now, the connectors do seem the same though.

[heinzboehmer]

I purchased this part number from ECS about 5 years ago to replace my Valeo with a fully new Valeo.

I seem to remember the plugs might be different between Bosch and Valeo though so you had to get the right one? edit: Looking at the pictures now, the connectors do seem the same though.

I purchased that part from FCP a couple months ago and there were no differences from stock. Maybe the bosch has a different connector? Haven't purchased a bosch unit so can't comment on that.

[Shonky]

I purchased that part from FCP a couple months ago and there were no differences from stock. Maybe the bosch has a different connector? Haven't purchased a bosch unit so can't comment on that.

My stock unit (as far as I know it was the original factory unit) was Valeo. Valeo seemed to be the only new option at the time (apart from genuine locally at more than double the cost) and I had read a few bad stories about the Bosch remanufactured ones (like those in this thread) so was a pretty easy decision to buy the Valeo.

[Will]

Does anyone have experience with rebuild kits from Maniac Electric Motors (link)?

Individual parts available, or kits like this for $55, too:

[Shonky]

I attempted to rebuild mine and bought some parts (bearings, brushes and rotor) from a company in Ireland. However in my case it was the the rotor winding that was OC and for some reason they didn't send it. I couldn't get an response from them so filed a claim on PayPal and got all my money back. I couldn't be bother stuffing around any more so just bought a new one for about $300 at the time.

Point being is that it depends exactly what's wrong with your alternator. I expect my case was somewhat rare though.

Main specialised tool you might need is a big soldering iron to solder/desolder things.

[thegenius46m]

Just buy brand new Valeo. Remans are nothing but issues and honestly they are barely a saving and you're getting used parts. I just bought a new Valeo for sub $200.