Alternator Options

[PSUEng]

I bought the 439317 from RA.com; that's the one you want.

[tlow98]

ZiMMie: excellent info. good to know the new starter I got from Rock Auto is the top quality "Origins" one.

Bought the same one. Sure was pretty :-)

[zzyzx85]

ZiMMie: excellent info. good to know the new starter I got from Rock Auto is the top quality "Origins" one.

[Subfra///Me]

Fantastic info! Thank you!

I just confirmed on the Valeo link you provided. Interesting that the Bimmerworld part number is actually a Re-Gen and the unit from Rock Auto is an Origins and cheaper.

[ZiMMie]

New alternator time here as well. Original lasted 84,000 miles. I bought a genuine BMW alternator from the dealer (Bosch) and installed it myself. It was faulty and BMW replaced with another genuine part, which has only been in for about 10,000 miles and now the bearing is making noise. I tried the link shared above, but the Valeo unit appears to be discontinued or unavailable from FCP. The best prices I have seen are from Bimmerworld and Rock Auto. The part number varies slightly on Rock Auto, but it says it's interchangeable. Rock Auto is $60 cheaper, so if it's essentially the same part, I'd like to save the money, but ultimately, I want to make sure I'm comparing apples to apples. Anyone have experience with the Valeo from Rock Auto or know if it's actually the same/correct part? Bimmerworld lists the Valeo as 12317831436 (437320). Rock Auto says OEM/Interchange Numbers: 12317830791, 12317831436 and (439317).

437320 - Valeo Rebuilt From Core
439317 - Brand New alternator
200268 - Valeo Coreflex

See below for details.

The Valeo offer consists of 3 ranges. Each one offers excellent value and together they cover 90% of the market. They are ORIGINS, RE-GEN and CORE-FLEX.

ORIGINS is the best quality offer. It provides 100% new parts, and thus ensures durability and reliability that is as good as the original equipment. For any new vehicle with high residual value, ORIGINS is the best option for long-lasting functioning. The warranty scheme is 3 years/300,000 km.

RE-GEN is Valeo's best price offer. It has the added bonus of being 100% eco-friendly. For older vehicles with a lower residual value, Valeo offers remanufactured starters and alternators with a surcharge. They are fully tested and provide the same technical and functional characteristics as new ones.

CORE-FLEX is the competitive offer and is made up of a mixture of remanufactured and new ones, with no surcharge constraint and an ecological discount for customers returning cores to Valeo.

Both RE-GEN & CORE-FLEX come with a 2 year warranty/200,000 km

With Valeo’s proven track record in producing top quality rotating machines, strong R&D, stringent quality control, and a professional warranty scheme, Valeo has guaranteed its place at the forefront of the rotating machines market for years to come.
​
​

Source
https://www-valeoservice-de.translat...wapp#reference

[BlueBimmers]

Looks like both ECS and Bimmerworld have it although they charge more. Must be a contractual thing with FCP.

[Subfra///Me]

New alternator time here as well. Original lasted 84,000 miles. I bought a genuine BMW alternator from the dealer (Bosch) and installed it myself. It was faulty and BMW replaced with another genuine part, which has only been in for about 10,000 miles and now the bearing is making noise. I tried the link shared above, but the Valeo unit appears to be discontinued or unavailable from FCP. The best prices I have seen are from Bimmerworld and Rock Auto. The part number varies slightly on Rock Auto, but it says it's interchangeable. Rock Auto is $60 cheaper, so if it's essentially the same part, I'd like to save the money, but ultimately, I want to make sure I'm comparing apples to apples. Anyone have experience with the Valeo from Rock Auto or know if it's actually the same/correct part? Bimmerworld lists the Valeo as 12317831436 (437320). Rock Auto says OEM/Interchange Numbers: 12317830791, 12317831436 and (439317).

[0-60motorsports]

its a 55mm diameter pulley same with any M/S 5x motor..

as for the alternator, any m54 alternator should work if you switch the back cover.

I ran a 90amp(less drag) version in my E36/S54. For an e46 120amp+ unless you have A/C,radio etc. electronics deleted.

Thanks for the feedback. I am not sure whether to stick to the 120amp or go to a 140/150Amp alternator. In our summer with the AC blowing and 125F+ plus high humidity the aux fan running at full speed the 140/150 Alternator might be a better choice?

Then again never had issues with my original alternator until now, the battery monitor today shows its making 12V instead of a Minimum of 13V up to 14V+. I am sure the alternator is on the way out.

[ZiMMie]

Any updates?

its a 55mm diameter pulley same with any M/S 5x motor..

as for the alternator, any m54 alternator should work if you switch the back cover.

I ran a 90amp(less drag) version in my E36/S54. For an e46 120amp+ unless you have A/C,radio etc. electronics deleted.

[0-60motorsports]

I was away for a little bit and the car is still at my buddies shop. I will be going there tomorrow (10/13/22) and will take measurements on the pulley diameter to make sure it's the same. While I was swapping in the new alternator I decided to swap out all the pulleys with new ones and do a belt service and a new clutch fan. Stay tuned for more info. I'll report back with my findings!

Any updates?

[bigjae46]

FCP probably not liking the price or contract terms they can get for them to allow them to warranty.

I often wondered if FCP returns the warrantied items back to the manufacturer. If not where do they go?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m sure they do whenever they can.

Id be inclined to buy a BMW reman from the dealer. Limited lifetime warranty.

If the dealer installs a BMW part and the customer pays something then there is a 2 year parts and labor warranty.

BMW provides a limited lifetime warranty on specific parts - IIRC, it’s alternator, water pump, starters, ac compressors, shocks and struts. Might be a few other things. This warranty covers the part only.

Talk to you dealer first but you’d need to show the failure. Typically a screen shot of the fault code works, just depends.

I’m thinking about getting an OE alternator and keep my Bosch as a spare.

[eacmen]

PSA: Just got notified that Bimmerworld has the Valeo units back in stock if anyone is looking for one:

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

[eacmen]

FCP probably not liking the price or contract terms they can get for them to allow them to warranty.

I often wondered if FCP returns the warrantied items back to the manufacturer. If not where do they go?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mrgizmo04]

FCP going downhill

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[bmwfnatic]

According to FCP the M3/Z3 Valeo are discontinued. Shocking ! It is too early for these things to happen. There are still plenty of these cars on the road.

I bought one here in Europe last week, was freshly made, not some old stock. Pretty sure FCP is just wrong.