Alternator Bosch or OEM Mazda

Buy the Bosch it's a direct OEM REPLACEMENT alternator it's probably still going to need programmed via vcds to allow the computer to adapt to the voltage change of the new alternator

In your case I would say just buy a new replacement alt from a name brand like Delco Remy or Bosch, none of this parts store rebuilt junk, you'll just be doing the job over again soon.

Bosch, Valeo, or Denso would be my top choices. Don't get a Chinese one. Shit won't last at all.

Bosch makes (made) excellent rebuilt alternators and I’d check them out.

I bought a Bosch alternator at O’Reilly’s for ~ $300 and the gaskets at Autozone for ~ $100 (you can get them cheaper but I needed them quickly)

I would use the BOSCH from fcpeuro.com without hesitation.

IMHO this is not going to work. The brushes and slide rings lifespans are about the same so IMHO you must replace whole set if you expect this to be a permanent fix. Also, you have to clean the housing from old copper dust and graphite.

Looks very similar to a Porsche 944 alternator.

I recently had two brand new Bosch remanufactured alternators fail. One after six weeks, and one was bad right out of the box.

Labor time is like .7 on the RX8 alternator if I remember my time at Mazda right… imma say like 900 or so for labor is a rip