Alternator VALEO or AC DELCO

Id go with whatever fcpeuro recommends. Aka valeo, bosch (which are both oems)

I just did a standard exchange on mine (Valeo 120A), paid 300€ deposit included, so it's definitely a good deal.

Only the NEW valeo or original BMW alternators last in these cars.

On that list, I'd only go with the AC Delco.

Only brand here I am confident with is ACDELCO, Wai I’ve installed due to customer already having the part but I cannot swear to its reliability.

Both Valeo and Bosch are good brands. I’ve never owned a Mercedes, but both Valeo/Bosch are installed in various BMWs from the factory.

AC Delco makes a good product. Alternator technology is really old, so it's not difficult to do right.

A bearing went in our original alternator so I replaced it with a Valeo brand and it's pretty loud when it clicks on. It is loud enough that I'm wondering if I got a bad alternator --or is this normal??

It's the typical whirl or whurr noise --it's silent, and then you can hear the whirl or whurr noise when the alternator clicks on. It seems mechanically and electrically fine: It's doing what it should be doing electrically (charging, correct voltage, the battery is happy, the car runs better with this new alternator, etc.). It's just loud.

The alternator was replaced, car died again two weeks later. The Valeo OEM was deemed defective. Back in the shop for a warranty change, still getting voltage fluctuations.

ACDELCO because if I get another API alternator that’s defective I’m going to kill somebody