Reviews of Bosch alternator

Symptoms: Flickering lights, and occasional hiccup start. Now battery light is coming on and staying on. When stationary battery tests around 12.5 volts. When running, that drops to 11.7 volts.

On my '93 240, I used a 740 external regulator Bocsh alternator...100amps...the problem is is that the voltage regulator takes a dump, which leads to people replacing the entire unit (like me years ago).

If anyone is curious, the 120a Bosch and Valeo alternators (rectangle ground connection) are completely interchangeable despite the statements online saying they have different pullies and mounting points. They are slightly different but everything lines/bolts up the same. The Bosch (left) is a decent amount larger in size, not sure why, but it fits perfectly with no clearance issues.

I just bought this car and I was about to replace the alternator belt but realized it’s not aligned. From this prospective the alternator is too far to the right

FWIW I bought an oreilly\u2019s remanufactured for my e34 a few years ago. It failed and was replaced twice in two years until I just bought the Bosch from FCP. No issues since.

The forums are riddled with people who tried to save a few bucks & got what they paid for. The DME on an e90 is extremely fickle. DO NOT buy an alternator unless it\u2019s a Bosch.

Volvo tech here, Bosch. Just replace the whole thing, it's not worth doing the brush job only to find that you should've just done the whole thing first.

I ordered the genuine Bosch alternator for not even 300 bucks and installed it myself for him still good a year or so later and it was a very easy job

I replaced the battery, and upgraded to an AGM battery while I was at it. The problem still wasn’t solved though.

Alternator and the battery are overpriced 2x (google replacement Varta battery and smth like Bosch alternator for your car on pkwteile or idealo).