Alternator not covered under warranty

[$w!ft]

Hi guys,

My alternator just went yesterday and BMW are stating this will not be covered under warranty as I have an aftermarket audio system (amps, speakers,subwoofer etc) on the car.

The repair costs are very high (£860) :( and I've already replaced an alternator on the car with the system on. Anything I can do? They won't accept me to bring a reconditioned unit or anything like that.

Thanks

[digi]

get the alternator from Pelican parts if you cannot find it cheaper in the UK.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=12-31-7-831-436-M262&catalog_description=&Alternator%2520%2531%2532%2530A%2520%2528Compact%2 529%252C%2520New%252C%2520Valeo%252C%2520M%2533%25 20%2528%2532%2530%2530%2531%252D%2530%2536%2529%25 2C%2520Each%2520%2520

I checked the part/no above with the realoem and its correct.

p/n: 12317831436

I brought a starter from them a few months ago and they are very professional and delivery was prompt and you get to track the thing from start to finish. :thumbs:

Hope this helps. Well cheaper than 800+.

P.S. remember to tell them yours is a UK RHD so they can double confirm the correct part is sent.

[digi]

here is the realoem link for the alternator:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BL96&mospid=50641&btnr=12_1082&hg=12&fg=20&hl=10

Pelican parts has remanufacturered alternators too. $207 USD

[shimmy]

Find a decent dealer who doesn't make up stupid excuses.....:-D



Alternatively buy an aftermarket alternator and get it fixed at an indie and exchange for your current, should cost about £300

[$w!ft]

Thanks Guys. Only issue is that BMW won't fit any aftermarket or non BMW alternators and I have no way to get the car out of the dealership unless it runs. So abit stuck on this one....

[digi]

can always push it out of the door and then tow it to the indie. :-D:partyman:

[Neil M]

Have a quick word with 'adem.csl' in Enfield, he'll no doubt be able to sort you out quickly.

[shimmy]

can always push it out of the door and then tow it to the indie. :-D:partyman:


ALTERNATOR could be done in the car park if needed.

[digi]

ALTERNATOR could be done in the car park if needed.

You see, Shim's can have you sorted in a jiffy. :gayfight:

[uncle benz]

I've got an original BMW alternator, secondhand, working perfectly, to get it out of there if you want it. Over £800 for an alternator swap is criminal!

[shimmy]

You see, Shim's can have you sorted in a jiffy. :gayfight:

Unfortunately it would take me 4 hours and I'd break every bit of plastic and cross thread very nut.


.

[chrisburns]

Does SAILORBAZ not have a new BMW unit ?

[mattCSLnut]

Does SAILORBAZ not have a new BMW unit ?
That was a spare Starter Motor and IIRC S.B. managed to get a full refund on it.

[chrisburns]

That was a spare Starter Motor and IIRC S.B. managed to get a full refund on it.

Doh :banghead:

[mattCSLnut]

Over £800 for an alternator swap is criminal!
It is if you don't have Warranty (or you do but it gets refused on a technicality) :banghead:
... especially as these units are less than £200 New (remanufactured) from the likes of GSF or EuroCarParts :)

[shane@mbtech]

Why do the techs at some dealerships have to be fucking idiots.
Alternator has failed, now just replace it.
Instead they cut off their nose to spite their face.
I had similar dealings with local dealership, I got quite angry (it happens occasionally) but he hid in the workshop.

Faggots with no clue of how the world goes around. :moan:

rant over.

[Steve B]

I can get you a reconned Delco Remy alternator for £150 inc the VAT if that helps...


Steve

[Mike R]

I know it's a bit late, but this is why I will only EVER use Gareth at Elms - they understand the cars and know the ropes with ensuring warranty work is done without a hitch. Coopers are literally 5 minutes from my house and Elms over an hour away.....

[niall1]

Find a decent dealer who doesn't make up stupid excuses.....:-D


They tried that on me as well!

[$w!ft]

Thanks for all the help guys. I would have loved to go with a different route but as the CSL is my daily driver and I can't take cabs around london all day until I get this fixed via a cheaper solution I had to bite the bullet literally :(

No way I could have pushed the car out somewhere with my working hours either.

The good thing is my car will be sorted by tomorrow, so only 2 days downtime.

[sailorbaz]

That was a spare Starter Motor and IIRC S.B. managed to get a full refund on it.

You're spot on Matt, I did get a full refund thanks to Roland and the main guy driving the M6 at the M Driving experience day in Munich.

Thanks for thinking of us though ChrisB, we'll get that Christmas beer yet.

Baz

[Heisenburg]

I know it's a bit late, but this is why I will only EVER use Gareth at Elms - they understand the cars and know the ropes with ensuring warranty work is done without a hitch. Coopers are literally 5 minutes from my house and Elms over an hour away.....

+1. I have 3 BMW dealerships within a 5 mile radius and I do the 1hr trip to Gareth every time. I am only new to warranty but so far have found a very common sense aproach by them...something that is getting harder and harder to find.

[JBird]

It's a bit shit that they bent you over. Everyone knows the alternator is a weak point of the CSL (perhaps the E46 m3 in general i'm not sure).

I have had two under warranty. Each one was remanufactured (seems that is how it is sold from BMW), and cost around £385 after an £85 deduction for returning the old one. Total cost was around £520 incl labour.