vs
Alternator OEM Volkswagen or Duralast
Reviews
I'd just get something with a warranty. I've been using Duralast from Autozone for the longest time and haven't had too many issues
Pros: warranty, not many issues
Just bought and installed a Duralast Gold from Autozone last week for my '07 9-5. It has a little whine at 2500 RPM but works better than OEM. Has a lifetime warranty and it's 100% new too!
Pros: works better than OEM, lifetime warranty
Cons: whine at 2500 RPM
Vehicle:
Saab
Drove it for a day and the alternator crapped out. Installed a new one asap.
Pros: new one installed
Cons: crapped out
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
When my alternator failed in my 24v, I replaced the alternator with a duralast, replaced the harness and fuse panel with OEM parts, and 50k later it's still working like a champ.
Pros: working like a champ
Mileage: 50000 km
oddly enough, I've only ever been completely stranded by failed alternators. once in my '98 Jetta GLX VR6 and once in my '09 Outback 3.0R
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Jetta
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
When I finally bought another car and started preparing the Bora for sale, the alternator failed. The only real issue it ever gave me.
Cons: failed
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Jetta
Duralast are shit alternator. See it time and time again people buy them and have more problems afterwards.
Cons: poor quality, causes problems
I burned up 4 of the duralast Gold GM 12si alternators while they were still under warranty, if I had to venture a guess it would be they don't like high RPM . I removed them from two of my samurai's and went back to stock, haven't had a problem since
Cons: don't like high RPM
I went through 3 duralast nators on my wife's exploder before I got one that lasted more than 6mos. Aftermarket everything has mostly gone to shit.
Cons: lasted less than 6mos
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