Alternator Question
 

Hello, this is my first post and its an important one.

I own a 2008 Mini Cooper S Hatchback with roughly 65k miles. I am a car audio nut, a bass head, I love sound systems. I need to know if anyone here has ever upgraded their alternator to a new one. But not an OEM factory fit, one of those Universal verision that you can purchase from Mechman. I am needing a 250amp alternator to put into my mini, and before I spend 400-500$ buying a universal fit, I needed to know what all went into making it fit.

I know car audio and electronics, I am however not a mechanic aside from the basics (changing tires, oil, simple tune ups, clutch, shocks and struts, brakes etc.) So I was curious what everyones experience with them are, if anyone has. And if anyone has any leads on OEM fit Alternators in the 180-250amp range.

I appreciate the help

Really appreciate all the feedback

No, never upgraded the alternator. Still on the stock OEM that came in my MINI.

I need a bit more information than a simple "No". Why should I not upgrade the stock alternator? Im going to be running 3000+ rms (I am a car audio competitor, these are not boss audio or pyle amps. This is Sundown, Rockford Fosgate and Arc Audio) and it takes power to make power. I need to upgrade my alt. So please tell me, why I shouldnt so I dont waste tons of money on something I cant do.

I'm not an audiophile but somewhere here you should be able to find out the output of the oem alternator. Compare that to your power needs with the audio system you've installed. If the stock alternator is not sufficient you'll end up draining your battery to keep the system running at max output.

I'm not saying whether you should or should not. My "No" was in response to your implied question "if anyone here has ever upgraded their alternator to a new one"(?). I have not upgraded my alternator to a new one. Haven't even investigated it as I am just running the stock radio and related equipment in my MINI and I'm not looking to make any changes.

Going by REALOEM.com, your car will have either a Valeo 120 amp or a Bosh 150 amp unit....they look a bit different, so if you go to the website and enter you info....it May be able to show you which one based on VIN#, or you can look at the diagrams, then look under the hood....
The gen1 S used a Denso units (99% did, a few got Mitsubishi units, ((non S aka r50 got Valeo/Bosh)) that was a internal clone to most every 105/120 amp Honda/Toyota units around....so you had more options for custom high amp versions (could just swap the regulator and internals and re-use the externals for the mounts...
Not sure what the situation is in the gen2 cars....good luck.