Alternator: new or remanufactured

[ramzM3]

Ok, so the alternator died in my driveway the other day. The smell of the burnt electrical-type of burning and the red battery light told me that it was most likely the culprit. After looking through the forum, I couldn't find an answer to a question I had. Which is, is it better to get a new alternator or just buy the remanufactured unit from someone like FCP Euro? There is a significant price difference, but I'm not sure about the performance/longevity differences, if any. Any thoughts, recommendations are much appreciated!

[jayjaya29]

Stay away from Bosch reman alternators, they have a very high failure rate.

[Notan_S54]

Get a brand new one from Valeo on FCP. My alternator went out a year ago, I replaced it with a manufactured Bosch, and it went out taking my battery with it.

[Notan_S54]

Stay away from Bosch reman alternators, they have a very high failure rate.

What he said x100000000

[jet_dogg]

Weird, this topic has been discussed ad nauseam. Found this in 1.2 seconds you sure you searched?

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/176736-alternator-options

[ramzM3]

Weird, this topic has been discussed ad nauseam. Found this in 1.2 seconds you sure you searched?

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...rnator-options

Thank you for this information.

[ramzM3]

Get a brand new one from Valeo on FCP. My alternator went out a year ago, I replaced it with a manufactured Bosch, and it went out taking my battery with it.

I bought a new 120 amp Valeo unit. Thank you!

[PetrolM3]

I recently got a brand new (not reman) Bosch unit for my non-M e46. The thing had whining noise right out of the box. Replaced the regulator on my original (made by Bosch) and re-installed it - dead quiet.

Apparently it’s not just reman Bosch that are crappy, even their brand new part quality has gone downhill.

[mcfreid]

I went to an alternator shop and had them rebuild it, forgot the cost but it was cheaper than buying a new unit and I didn't have to worry about all the stories regarding poor quality control in the latest units.

[simon_c]

I replaced 2 bosch (fcpeuro warranty) and bit the bullet and got a valeo

[bigjae46]

I have a Bosch reman. Bosch did not replace the voltage regulator. So new regulator and its been solid ever since.

If you buy a BMW reman, it is a limited lifetime warranty from BMW. I'd rather go that route than depend on a business that is, IMO, doomed to go out of business at some point.

[simon_c]

Also, was it just me but I DIY'd this and it was a HUGE pita. Mostly because I could not for the life of me get the alternator to line up with the mounting holes and it was impossible to see anything. It has to be aligned absolutely perfectly as well with basically no margin for ever. I feel like I just got lucky after hours of trying to get it aligned and finally got the bolt in.

[Slideways]

Also, was it just me but I DIY'd this and it was a HUGE pita. Mostly because I could not for the life of me get the alternator to line up with the mounting holes and it was impossible to see anything. It has to be aligned absolutely perfectly as well with basically no margin for ever. I feel like I just got lucky after hours of trying to get it aligned and finally got the bolt in.

To remove and reinstall the alternator, you have to slightly retract the threaded sleeve where the long lower bolt is installed; otherwise, it will be a struggle during uninstall and install.

[simon_c]

To remove and reinstall the alternator, you have to slightly retract the threaded sleeve where the long lower bolt is installed; otherwise, it will be a struggle during uninstall and install.

This would've been very helpful for me when I did this. I wanted to shoot myself. Good info for those in the future!

[jet_dogg]

I always use a drift pin to line up bolt holes whenever I'm installing something.