Alternator

Bounce · 16-04-2012, 08:57 PM

Im waiting for my alternator to pack up,as I'm still on the original one at over 70k miles.I had to have a new one in my stock M3 at 35k miles and knowing what a problem they are on the E46 M3 it's only a matter of time

.So I was wondering how many of you have new ones and how many are still running with the original.

monkeycsl · 16-04-2012, 09:09 PM

New one at 30k new water pump 33k not good really my old e36 evo was on 137k and on original pump and alternator! Seems bmw wanted them to not last on the e46.I paid 850 for my water pump fitted what a rip off.

**outnumbered** · 16-04-2012, 09:24 PM

Just had mine changed last week under warranty - about 56K miles (same mileage it went in my old E46), intermittent red battery light of doom.

If you're fixing it yourself, googling suggests it's usually the voltage regulator that fails, so that would be a much cheaper fix either DIY or via a good indy.

But if BMW want to rinse their warranty company for £6-700 a pop, I guess I don't care that much !

**shimmy** · 16-04-2012, 10:30 PM

mine went around 60k i thiink

3wheels3 · 16-04-2012, 10:40 PM

Mine @ 40k iirc. Is a horrible but easily fixable breakdown. Can take your battery with it aswell which may trigger numerous warning lights after alternator is sorted out.

shane@mbtech · 16-04-2012, 10:50 PM

Im keeping used spare, you never know. Ill be taking it to Germany/spa with me

Bounce · 16-04-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3wheels3

Mine @ 40k iirc. Is a horrible but easily fixable breakdown. Can take your battery with it aswell which may trigger numerous warning lights after alternator is sorted out.

This is the trouble Wheels,do I get it changed,or wait for it to go(probably when I'm off on a trackday) and get it under warranty but will balls the day up

**shimmy** · 16-04-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawsy

Im keeping used spare, you never know. Ill be taking it to Germany/spa with me

thanks

ill bring a spare break disc and some vaseline

**shimmy** · 16-04-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimmy

mine went around 60k i thiink

ive just remembered, mine didnt go wrong, it was just a pre-emptive strike

3wheels3 · 16-04-2012, 11:17 PM

I had next to no warning it was going and it seems to be a 40k-60k life time. Add to that the £100 excess warranty option, likely busted battery and new one at local indy looks attractive. You may get a buzz from Russian Roulette game with it but odds are one time it will not be empty chamber...

16-04-2012, 08:57 PM	#1
Bounce CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 7,057 Casino cash: $35793	Alternator Im waiting for my alternator to pack up,as I'm still on the original one at over 70k miles.I had to have a new one in my stock M3 at 35k miles and knowing what a problem they are on the E46 M3 it's only a matter of time.So I was wondering how many of you have new ones and how many are still running with the original.

16-04-2012, 09:24 PM	#3
outnumbered S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 731 Casino cash: $19587	Just had mine changed last week under warranty - about 56K miles (same mileage it went in my old E46), intermittent red battery light of doom. If you're fixing it yourself, googling suggests it's usually the voltage regulator that fails, so that would be a much cheaper fix either DIY or via a good indy. But if BMW want to rinse their warranty company for £6-700 a pop, I guess I don't care that much ! __________________ Now with added SG CSL.

16-04-2012, 10:30 PM	#4
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	mine went around 60k i thiink __________________ .

16-04-2012, 09:09 PM	#2
monkeycsl S5 - Full Throttle BMX Park Champion! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: essex Posts: 444 Casino cash: $18732	New one at 30k new water pump 33k not good really my old e36 evo was on 137k and on original pump and alternator! Seems bmw wanted them to not last on the e46.I paid 850 for my water pump fitted what a rip off.

16-04-2012, 10:40 PM	#5
3wheels3 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 773 Casino cash: $21189	Mine @ 40k iirc. Is a horrible but easily fixable breakdown. Can take your battery with it aswell which may trigger numerous warning lights after alternator is sorted out.

16-04-2012, 10:50 PM	#6
shane@mbtech CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: warrington Posts: 5,419 Casino cash: $19783	Im keeping used spare, you never know. Ill be taking it to Germany/spa with me

16-04-2012, 11:17 PM	#10
3wheels3 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 773 Casino cash: $21189	I had next to no warning it was going and it seems to be a 40k-60k life time. Add to that the £100 excess warranty option, likely busted battery and new one at local indy looks attractive. You may get a buzz from Russian Roulette game with it but odds are one time it will not be empty chamber...