How many miles do M3 alternators last for?

Theodore · 08-07-2016, 09:38 AM

If you've replaced your car's alternator, what mileage did your car have at the time of replacement?

MiamiE93Vert · 08-07-2016, 11:19 AM

Replaced at about 50K miles.

M3amigos · 08-07-2016, 09:04 PM

just replaced at 93k.

WayneM3 · 08-07-2016, 09:20 PM

I replaced mine a few months ago at 58,000.

SHADY1 · 08-08-2016, 11:20 AM

160,000 thousand miles for me

. It can be a pain to change out if your car is supercharged and depending on which kit you have. I found that out the hard way

simpleM3 · 08-10-2016, 08:38 AM

damn, what's the deal with the disparity between mileages?

Richbot · 08-10-2016, 08:40 AM

Curious if you guys noted a difference in OEM manufacturer between old and new or who made the one you pulled out at least

dparm · 08-10-2016, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simpleM3

damn, what's the deal with the disparity between mileages?

Heat will obviously cause things to fail more often or faster but it's a total guessing game other than that. I would say that an alternator failing in less than 50k is probably "early" (BMW doesn't want to pay for warranty claims on that if they don't have to).

Spoolin1 · 08-10-2016, 08:53 PM

240k miles and still going strong...... Oh wait, that's on my Honda beater. LOL Seriously though, a good alternator should last at least 100k miles with no issues. Why on earth would someone be having issues with theirs at 50k miles? BMW cheap out here or what?

Move Over · 08-10-2016, 09:10 PM

I have had two friends replace theirs, one at 61k and the other at 81k.

squartus · 08-11-2016, 07:36 AM

Well dam, I guess ill go ahead and change mine out since engine is out of car 60k miles.

simpleM3 · 08-11-2016, 09:41 AM

I'm with you on this. An alternator replacement at 50k is ridiculous even for a high maintenance BMW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoolin1

240k miles and still going strong...... Oh wait, that's on my Honda beater. LOL Seriously though, a good alternator should last at least 100k miles with no issues. Why on earth would someone be having issues with theirs at 50k miles? BMW cheap out here or what?

nitrojunky · 08-14-2016, 07:35 PM

84k miles.

redpriest · 08-14-2016, 10:02 PM

Mine has lasted over 142k miles now. Still on the original. Original rod bearings, original throttle actuators, etc. Only thing engine related that has broken on me has been the engine cooling temp sensor (track related, TSB repair solved that- it broke on me twice) and a VANOS chain tensioner.

dparm · 08-16-2016, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoolin1

Seriously though, a good alternator should last at least 100k miles with no issues. Why on earth would someone be having issues with theirs at 50k miles? BMW cheap out here or what?

BMW doesn't make the alternators. Alternators are a commodity part built by a huge supplier, and there will always be a small percentage that fail early.

simpleM3 · 08-17-2016, 07:27 AM

Still doesn't mean they didn't cheap out on them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dparm

BMW doesn't make the alternators. Alternators are a commodity part built by a huge supplier, and there will always be a small percentage that fail early.

08-07-2016, 09:38 AM	#1
Theodore Lieutenant 669 Rep 412 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Tampa Bay, FL iTrader: (6)	How many miles do M3 alternators last for? If you've replaced your car's alternator, what mileage did your car have at the time of replacement?
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08-07-2016, 11:19 AM	#2
MiamiE93Vert Lieutenant 97 Rep 460 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Convertible Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)	Replaced at about 50K miles. __________________ AA Pulley, Air Filter and Tune - Full Evolve Valvetronic Exhaust - 380/355 Stoptech BBK, BBS FI's and other fun stuff.
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08-07-2016, 09:04 PM	#3
M3amigos HP addict 37 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2008 Jerez Black E93 6MT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	just replaced at 93k.
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08-07-2016, 09:20 PM	#4
WayneM3 First Lieutenant 286 Rep 355 Posts Drives: F90M5 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (2)	I replaced mine a few months ago at 58,000.
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08-08-2016, 11:20 AM	#5
SHADY1 Hamann M3 Fan 298 Rep 2,885 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & F10 M5 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Killeen, Texas iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW M5 [0.00] 2008 E92 M3 Coupe [8.14]	160,000 thousand miles for me . It can be a pain to change out if your car is supercharged and depending on which kit you have. I found that out the hard way __________________ JZB,6MT, My mods 360 Forged 20inch wheels,VF650 Supercharger custom tuned,ARH Long Tube Headers,Hamann CF roof spoiler,H&R springs,CF grills,Hamann rear trunk spoiler,Hamann Side Skirts, ARKYM full CF bumper, Gintani Race exhaust, ARH X-pipe catless,RPI scoops,AA SSK, Arkym CF Double Sided Vented Hood,
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08-10-2016, 08:38 AM	#6
simpleM3 Major 165 Rep 1,403 Posts Drives: 06' E46 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Fairfax, VA iTrader: (13) Garage List 19’ BMW M5C [0.00] 2007 E61 530XI [0.00] 2006 E46 M3 [0.00]	damn, what's the deal with the disparity between mileages? __________________ 19’ F90 M5C \| Signature VS-104 \| M-Performance \| IND \| H&R 06’ E46 M3 ZCP \| Karbonius \| Ohlins \| Vorshlag \| Turner \| Kassel \| IND \| Status Gruppe \| Macht Schnell 03' E39 M5 \| 100% Stock
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08-10-2016, 08:40 AM	#7
Richbot Major General 2760 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	Curious if you guys noted a difference in OEM manufacturer between old and new or who made the one you pulled out at least __________________
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08-10-2016, 08:53 PM	#9
Spoolin1 First Lieutenant 60 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sellersburg, IN iTrader: (1)	240k miles and still going strong...... Oh wait, that's on my Honda beater. LOL Seriously though, a good alternator should last at least 100k miles with no issues. Why on earth would someone be having issues with theirs at 50k miles? BMW cheap out here or what? __________________ 11 E92 ZCP 02 Honda S2000 -741 whp 471 wtq (dynojet) @ 29.6 psi on e85; now on 34 psi, 800+ whp.
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08-10-2016, 09:10 PM	#10
Move Over Colonel 1258 Rep 2,492 Posts Drives: M3 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Peninsula iTrader: (9)	I have had two friends replace theirs, one at 61k and the other at 81k. __________________ 2010 E92 M3 DCT
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08-11-2016, 07:36 AM	#11
squartus Major 314 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Mississippi iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E92 BMW M3 [10.00]	Well dam, I guess ill go ahead and change mine out since engine is out of car 60k miles. __________________ 4.4L LC stroker/ESS VT2-625/Volk te37 sl's/AA exhaust/DSS Carbon Fiber driveshaft/ARH Headers.. etc
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08-14-2016, 07:35 PM	#13
nitrojunky Private 15 Rep 75 Posts Drives: C6Z, 335i, e90M Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: ATX iTrader: (0)	84k miles.
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08-14-2016, 10:02 PM	#14
redpriest Colonel 2147 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: 2011 M3/Porsche 992 GT3RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Porsche 911 GT3RS [0.00] 2021 Porsche 718 Sp ... [0.00] 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 [0.00] 2006 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	Mine has lasted over 142k miles now. Still on the original. Original rod bearings, original throttle actuators, etc. Only thing engine related that has broken on me has been the engine cooling temp sensor (track related, TSB repair solved that- it broke on me twice) and a VANOS chain tensioner. __________________ '06 BMW M3 ZCP 6MT \| JRZ RS Pro + Hyperco 650/750 \| Epic Tune \| Brembo 355mm BBK \| too many to list '11 BMW M3 ZCP DCT \| Akra Evolution \| Eventuri intake \| MCS 3-way \| 4.6L Carbahn S65 \| Zebulon Aero \| AP Racing Radi-CAL BBK by Essex \| 305/645-18 Pirelli DHB Porsche 992 GT3, 991.2 GT3RS, 718 Spyder instagram.com/titomanlio
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