I have a 2001 BMW 540 M-Sport with 376,000+ miles. I replaced my third alternator at the BMW dealer recently, as it came with a "lifetime" part and two year labor warranty. Second "free" replacement. They last a long time, so I never get free labor, but the part is free...still they got me for a couple dollars shy of $1000 in labor and a few ancillary parts. That was with a 15% discount, lol.
I generally use my independant BMW specialist...he is easily 1/2 to 1/3 the cost and does very good work. He laughed when I told him about the most recent alternator replacement, stating he could have done it with the same rebuilt Bosch alternator for $900. He said they are identical, one comes in the BMW box, the other in a Bosch box. He's directly compared them, as some of his customers demand OEM parts only from the dealer. BMW gets $1350, in the Bosch box around $550.
I quit using the BMW dealer for most stuff on the car (other than counter parts) about 7 or 8 years ago, or it would not make financial sense to keep the car. It probably doesn't still, but I love the car and it drives wonderfully. I've replaced everything mechanical multiple times. Only the engine and transmission are original, never been rebuilt. I'm having the front control arms, steering center links, end links, etc all replaced today...full rebuild of the front...then alignment. Third time in its life. Steering centerlink has some play and not worth replacing peice meal, so doing it all...that goodness for the FCP Euro lifetime warranty on parts.
View attachment 276270
View attachment 276271
View attachment 276272