Alternator Options

[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).

[BlueBimmers]

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

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

[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.

[zzyzx85]

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

[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 :-)

[PSUEng]

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

[BlueBimmers]

Great info, and great reminder to check Rock Auto when buying expensive parts. I found an expansion tank for my M5 way below usual price.

[Subfra///Me]

Going to pull the trigger on the Valeo Origins alternator from Rock Auto.

I'm a little frustrated two genuine BMW (Bosch) alternators have had issues within 10k miles. Genuine BMW alternators from the dealer are one of a few parts supposedly covered by a limited lifetime warranty that exceeds the normal two year original BMW parts warranty. However, I could either spend $240 and replace it myself with a likely more reliable unit or wait for the bearing to fail completely, tow it to BMW, hope they honor the limited lifetime warranty and then have to pay them to install the new one as labor isn't covered. Taking it there now with the bearing making noise, but the alternator otherwise functioning, is unlikely to result in a new alternator and I would have to pay the diagnostic fee even if they reject the claim. Not really worth the hassle.

[Slideways]

Going to pull the trigger on the Valeo Origins alternator from Rock Auto.

I'm a little frustrated two genuine BMW (Bosch) alternators have had issues within 10k miles. Genuine BMW alternators from the dealer are one of a few parts supposedly covered by a limited lifetime warranty that exceeds the normal two year original BMW parts warranty. However, I could either spend $240 and replace it myself with a likely more reliable unit or wait for the bearing to fail completely, tow it to BMW, hope they honor the limited lifetime warranty and then have to pay them to install the new one as labor isn't covered. Taking it there now with the bearing making noise, but the alternator otherwise functioning, is unlikely to result in a new alternator and I would have to pay the diagnostic fee even if they reject the claim. Not really worth the hassle.

I doubt they would warranty it unless they installed it. Maybe they would if it is out of the car, but good luck making that argument. Rock auto should deliver the OEM Valeo unit just like the other online stores.

[Subfra///Me]

I doubt they would warranty it unless they installed it. Maybe they would if it is out of the car, but good luck making that argument. Rock auto should deliver the OEM Valeo unit just like the other online stores.

They did replace it the last time. Two weeks prior to that I bought a genuine BMW alternator from them and did it myself. That one was a dud. Don't have much confidence in their part, so I'm just going to get the Valeo from Rock Auto and do it myself. Probably cheaper in the long run and much less hassle.

Also, didn't like how they told me it was purchased more than two years ago so the warranty expired. When I asked them about the limited lifetime warranty on alternators, they changed their tune and said it may be covered if I brought it in for diagnostics. No thanks. Just going to diy with a better part.

[bigjae46]

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.

So a non-M alternator bolts right up? Just need to swap the regulator?

[tlow98]

So a non-M alternator bolts right up? Just need to swap the regulator?

I test fitted my 330i alternator when the motor was out. Valeo unit with the correct connector on the back. Fit perfect.

how they differ, I do not know. Kept it as a spare.

[ZiMMie]

So a non-M alternator bolts right up? Just need to swap the regulator?

No need to swap the regulator as they are the same.

The back housing is different (the plastic piece). On the non m there is someone sort of intake for venting for cooling whiles the M doesn't have it.

[bigjae46]

No need to swap the regulator as they are the same.

The back housing is different (the plastic piece). On the non m there is someone sort of intake for venting for cooling whiles the M doesn't have it.

ok, I think some non-Ms had a cooling duct from the foglight area. Might have been ZHPs or something. Or maybe auto cars.