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Alternator OEM Mazda or OEM Volkswagen
Reviews
The alternator was dead (as expected), and was replaced with a used one that I sourced locally from junkyard.
Pros: cheap replacement
Cons: used part
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
Please, genuine alternators are only like $30 more and you won't suffer these issues. And also they last.
Pros: lasts longer, avoids issues
Cons: suffers issues
Vehicle:
Mazda
I went and got a Mazda one off of Moss bc I was sick of AutoZone remanned ones blowing up. It's plenty nice for stock electrical load
Pros: nice for stock load
Cons: AutoZone ones blowing up
Vehicle:
Mazda
Got some faulty alternators from autozone that were overcharging or undercharging. I just bought an oem reman from mazdaswag, (or any mazda dealership store online). Works fine now.
Pros: Works fine now
Cons: faulty alternators
Replaced the alternator - twice. The second one failed as a result of a jump start scorching a relay in the voltage :-( Replaced the starter (in 2024), First alternator failed at 49K miles - oddly, when the car came out of the shop, the oil light came on and they found debris in the pick up so I got a new long block (under warranty so I suspect VOA knew of some defect for that model/year). Had one strut bearing fail at about 90K miles. I also had the AC recharged - car actually came from the factory with too much pressure (would ice up on humid days). I've stuck to dealer maintenance for everything except the strut repair and the usual annual CC alignments (well documented issue...) and keep all fluids (coolant/brakes/DSG) fresh. My car is still a daily driver - I'm probably due another battery soon but it runs great. I'm tempted to freshen the struts and control arms and add a rear sway bar - and possibly a tune, but I also see a Golf R in my future! I've run 3 other cars to 250K miles (Volvo 850, Highlander and an Audi 4KQ) and I don't see any reason why the dub can't get to 200K+ particularly if you keep up with a full maintenance plan. You may need to have some carbon blasting done at 100K, have the timing chain tension and service the PCV (leaving that too long leads to the carbon build up in the DI engines) but those are like 50K mile intervals
Pros: car runs great, good longevity
Cons: alternator failed twice, strut bearing failed
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
Mileage: 117000 km
Mine has 69K miles. I've owned it for 4 years. Replaced the alternator and MAF sensor after failures. Keyless entry works only sporadically on the driver's door (lock switch already replaced - latch mechanism needs to be replaced, but for $$$).
Cons: alternator, MAF sensor failures
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
Mileage: 111042 km
I owned one for about a year. Loved the car, wish I could have kept it. That being said, it was only in drivable condition for about half the time I owned it. I replaced the alternator, fixed the air suspension, redid some vacuum lines, tried to repair the front diff, and that's where I gave up.
Pros: loved the car
Cons: difficult to work on, parts unavailable
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Touareg
Labor time is like .7 on the RX8 alternator if I remember my time at Mazda right… imma say like 900 or so for labor is a rip
Cons: 900 for labor is a rip
Vehicle:
Mazda
HAVE a 2022 CX30 @ 79,000 miles. Alternator went out today
Cons: alternator went out
Vehicle:
Mazda
Mileage: 127139 km
Spent 300 on an alternator to get the whole car apart just to find out it was the wrong one
Cons: wrong alternator
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Passat
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