Alternator, is bosch worth the extra £££'s

[67westy]

Looks like I'm in need of a new alternator. 2 choices from VWH really and need to know if the £130+ extra for the Bosch unit is worthwhile

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/bay-bus/043903023CZ/alternator-55amp-with-easy-access-regulator-t1-2/?crumbStartPage=1&crumbStartRow=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; @ £94.50

or the Bosch one @ £227.80 :shock:

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/bay-bus/043903023CO/alternator-74-79-int-regulator-bosch-55amps/?crumbStartPage=4&crumbStartRow=74" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Obviously the Bosch one should be better quality and last well but has anyone got any real world experience of the cheaper version? Maybe alex has info on failure rates?

Cheers!

 

[kreemoweet]

I very recently bought a new Bosch AL82N alternator on Amazon for US $155. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BZIJP2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[67westy]

Hmmm that's cheap. Would get hit with duty and vat though I guess. Will probably still be cheaper than getting it from the UK

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[67westy]

Under £150 apparently, shame I ordered one earlier. The lead time is probably a bit long for me at the minute. Perfect if you're not in a rush though

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[bac2ba6]

My mate is bought a cheapo jobbie from Jk about 3 years ago still going ok think he paid around 90 odd quid. Suppose like anything cheaper you get good ones and bad ones normally I would say buy the best you can afford but then again I've had trouble with bosch stuff before now

 

[67westy]

My mate is bought a cheapo jobbie from Jk about 3 years ago still going ok think he paid around 90 odd quid. Suppose like anything cheaper you get good ones and bad ones normally I would say buy the best you can afford but then again I've had trouble with bosch stuff before now

Good to hear a cheap one is still going well. I normally don't mind paying a premium for the better quality kit, I've been bitten enough by cheap stuff, but when it's nearly 2.5 times as expensive it becomes difficult to justify :shock:

I've gone with the cheap one for now to get the van running again and will probably look at getting the old bosch unit refurbished in the new year. Seems to be a good idea to stick with the older units if possible.

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

I had a cheap one, it lasted 3 years till the bearings failed, I then replaced with a Bosch one and its 3 years in had no problem so far

 

[K@rlos]

I've had a Bosch unit on my bus for years and never had an issue with it till last week when some big rpm minced it Would have loved another Bosch but couldn't get 1 so settled for a TQ reproduction. Will either work or it won't :lol: