Actively replacing our alternator now, I used this video to confirm that it was the same sound.
Reviews of OEM BMW alternator
48 votes
Dead battery within months, and car completely shutting off, your car SCREAMS alternator issue. Get it checked out.
My first car was a E46 316i, under 100tkm on odo, had it for 3 years, literally gave no problems.
Sold the E46 and got a E39 530D because I love them. Has been reliable so far, I've had it as daily for almost a year now and the only critical problems it has had are that the alternator gave out after a couple of weeks owning and EGR thermostat was bad.
I've replaced the alternator (failed on me), done waterpump & thermostat (180,000km done as a precaution).
My friend’s BMW X5 had an alternator fail at 50k, she does a lot of city driving so lots of start/stops.
This was the only non oe product in my car. When mine went it went . There weren\u2019t any bmw ones available for love nor money at the time. I get 13.8 out of mine as well. Can been fine for 12 months.
Sometimes when u replace the alternator but the battery is bad it'll just fry your new alternator.
My alternator went and I never had any lights, just weird electrical gremlins and batteries dying. Replaced it myself, took maybe 2 hours and the part was like $150 after the core return
We were on our way back from a daytrip when the M3's alternator decided to give up the ghost about 1.5 hours from home.
you dont even need ISTA to figure out the alternator is dead. A fresh and charged batter will sit at 13v, used should always be around 12v. while charging it should be 13v. the fact this is dropping while the car is running suggests a shot alternator right off the bat
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What we know about OEM BMW alternator
The brand is registered in Germany.
In March 2026, PartReview users have a mixed opinion of OEM BMW alternator.
PR Score — 62 out of 100, based on 15 reviews and 48 votes. 8 positive reviews, 3 neutral reviews, 4 negative reviews. Average rating — 3.2 (out of 5). Vote balance: 30 up, 18 down.
In the ranking of the best alternator this part is at position 12, behind OEM Volkswagen and OEM FORD , but ahead of Mitsuboshi and OEM KIA.
Users also evaluated the qualities of OEM BMW alternator:
- Warning light - battery light appears on the dashboard - rated negatively. 2.1 points out of 5.
- Lights - headlights flicker or dim at idle - rated ambivalently. 3.3 points out of 5.
- Noise - whine or chirp from the alternator area - rated positively. 5 points out of 5.
Alternator OEM BMW in car-specific ratings
See which car brands and models owners choose OEM BMW alternator for. Below are car-specific ratings where this part is in the Top-3:
- OEM BMW ranked #2 for: BMW X5 .
Alternator OEM BMW in comparisons
There are 17 comparisons of OEM BMW alternator with other manufacturers on PartReview.
In particular, see which alternator are better: Mitsuboshi or OEM BMW, OEM KIA or OEM BMW, OEM BMW or GENERAL MOTORS, OEM BMW or Duralast, OEM BMW or OEM Nissan .