E39 M5 - Alternator

[edmundo]

Hi all,

I've had my M5 for 2 years with zero problems, but last night it conked out. A few warning lights popped on and then everything died. Of course exactly half way between home and where I was going and in the middle of BFN.

Lovely chap from the RAC came out and confirmed my thoughts that the alternator has packed up - though it may of course be a completely buggered battery.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas on cost?

I'll be getting onto Cooper Reading and an Indi or two to get quotes - will post again later.

Ed

[Neil.D]

Whilst you do, email http://www.fabdirect.com/ They normally respond the same day.

[Neil.D]

Real OEM ...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE92...

[edmundo]

Cheers Neil, just got quoted just shy of £800 (gulp).

Does anyone know the part number? It's a '99 E39 M5

Thanks

[Neil.D]

Click on the link above, its 12311407440.

Neil

[asbo]

£800?!

Jesus H.

I bet the 750 uses the same part or something. Might be worth a try to avoid the ///M tax.

[E30M3SE]

Shared with the Z8..

The voltage regulator is available as a BMW spare if that is the problem.

[edmundo]

Thanks Neil, turns out I'm blind as well as carless.

[100%Cocoa]

I've never heard of an E39 M5 alternator going......yet. What milege have you done? They are famous for catastrophic battery failure though - have you plugged it in and tried seeing if it holds a charge? That'd be a lot cheaper than a new alternator.....

Edited by 100%Cocoa on Tuesday 17th February 20:32

[Stedman]

If your ever down Gatwick way there's an fantastic guy at the industrial estate that re-furbs alternators. Just had mine done (bosch) , was £235+vat (with 20% special discount already!) or £80 refurb.

No brainer as its comes with a 6month warranty and the guy does 1/2 a day!