Maintenance schedule - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

M.A.D.MikE · 14th June 2011, 20:20

Sorry in advance if it was discussed before, but i couldn't find it

Since my alternator burned, i was thinking if there is a schedule of checking/replacing parts before they actually die? I'm kind of tired constantly paying for tow truck services when something unexpectedly happens

Strike · 14th June 2011, 20:39

You can look at the Inspection I and Inspection II maintenance schedules and search the forum here for threads on it. There have been several discussions about recommended maintenance.

Unfortunately none of the above would have helped prevent you getting stuck over a dead alternator as there's no implied lifespan for the part. In a perfect world it should always last the lifetime of the vehicle but of course that's a reach. Unfortunately it's just not a part anyone would replace as preventative maintenance. I'd really like to see if anyone here says different...

rdm190 · 14th June 2011, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strike

You can look at the Inspection I and Inspection II maintenance schedules and search the forum here for threads on it. There have been several discussions about recommended maintenance.

Unfortunately none of the above would have helped prevent you getting stuck over a dead alternator as there's no implied lifespan for the part. In a perfect world it should always last the lifetime of the vehicle but of course that's a reach. Unfortunately it's just not a part anyone would replace as preventative maintenance. I'd really like to see if anyone here says different...

I don't know, we have some pretty crazy people when it comes to proactive parts replacemet!

But in all seriousness, alternators never seem to give you much warning before they go. Some last a lifetime some cars seem to go through several in 150k (Not being BMW specific here).

BMW has always seemed to do a good job at cooling their alternators. Ours is water cooled and the E36-E46 had forced air cooling (just as examples). Always a nice little design point that the American makers still miss today.

-Ryan

ger · 15th June 2011, 01:12

I don't think the M5's alternator is water cooled.

The 540's alternator is.

"S62" · 15th June 2011, 04:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ger

I don't think the M5's alternator is water cooled.

The 540's alternator is.

Ya your right. the M5 alternator is around 350$ I believe. My neighbor had a 540 and he replaced his alternator and it was around 900$.

Quicksilv3r · 15th June 2011, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ger

I don't think the M5's alternator is water cooled.

The 540's alternator is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by "S62"

Ya your right. the M5 alternator is around 350$ I believe. My neighbor had a 540 and he replaced his alternator and it was around 900$.

Interesting. Wonder why the difference between models?

M.A.D.MikE · 15th June 2011, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilv3r

Interesting. Wonder why the difference between models?

OEM M5 alternator is also $900. And if you mean technical difference i believe it is due to less avaliable space in M5s engine bay.

ard · 15th June 2011, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.A.D.MikE

OEM M5 alternator is also $900. And if you mean technical difference i believe it is due to less avaliable space in M5s engine bay.

OEM or OE?

Getbmwparts has it for $600. Getparts is BMW, or "OE".

just FYI: "OEM" is a non-BMW part, made by the same vendor that made the OE part.

Closer to you in Russia, Schmiedman has it for 505 Euros:

Schmiedmann - Engine parts electronical for BMW E39 - New parts - page 7

This may be OE, OEM or aftermarket..dunno

"S62" · 16th June 2011, 07:36

I wonder if they are both water cooled.

M.A.D.MikE · 16th June 2011, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

OEM or OE?

Getbmwparts has it for $600. Getparts is BMW, or "OE".

just FYI: "OEM" is a non-BMW part, made by the same vendor that made the OE part.

Closer to you in Russia, Schmiedman has it for 505 Euros:

Schmiedmann - Engine parts electronical for BMW E39 - New parts - page 7

This may be OE, OEM or aftermarket..dunno

I meant OE BMW 12311407440. The OEM Bosch 0123515030 alternator is actually more expensive at $1550

Anyhow - my mechanics managed to adapt an X5 alternator

Quote:

Originally Posted by "S62"

I wonder if they are both water cooled.

M5 alternator is air cooled.