hi- I have a 2004 base model with an r50 engine and simply trying to replace the alternator.

I ordered one but what came was different, in a few major ways than the one that was in there. I assumed I was mailed the wrong one but when I went to the parts store they pulled they same one. So i had them dig out all the mini alternators they had in stock and the exact match was for a 2005. (yes i've run the VIN and looked at the title; my car IS a 2004).

I waited too long to do this work and can no longer return the new part.

The one that came out of the car is a Bosch 14v / 110A while the one that parts stores have listed as a fit for a 2004 is a 12v / 120A. Also the bolts are too short for the replacement since the mounting slots are longer on the new one. I've measured the new one from a few different angles and i think that the pulley will sit in essentially the same place when mounted in the engine with maybe an outward a variance of 1/8" at the most.

naturally i don't wanna buy a whole other new alternator -
Can I just buy longer mounting bolts and install the new one i am stuck with?

Attached some pics of the two-

Thanks in advance.

 

Have you owned the car since new? I'm wondering if the engine may have been replaced at some point (2005+ engine on the 2004 chassis).

I did a quick search on realoem.com and then ran an google image search for the alternators this is what I came up with:

June 2004 build - part number 12317515029



June 2006 build - part number 12317550997



As you can see, it came up with two different alternators with different mounting points.

 

I bought the car from a friend who has provided me with some fairly details repair records. Swapping an engine I have to assume would be something he's remember. Pretty sure he was the only owner but will double check.

Thanks for the image search. The one on the bottom is what came out of it. Do you know if there's a serial# stamp somewhere on the engine I can get a pic of? This is all so bizarre.

 

Are you 100% sure the car is a 2004 model? Did you check the year and month build date on the large sticker found on the driver side door jamb? You can also rune the VIN on a web site like this and see if it's actually a 2004.

The reason I'm asking is that I just checked realoem again and the alternator model switch began on January 2005 where part 12317550997 replaced part 12317515029.

 

100% / i already ran the VIN and it says 03/04 on the door jamb.

 

So weird...

 

big time. btw the original owner bought it new and never had the engine swapped. if you want a pic of the VIN let me know. not sure about posting it for the world.

 

Odd , I had ordered an alternator awhile ago too and it too was wrong in the same way buuuuut the electrical harness on the alternator was abit different too.. thankfully I ended up only needing a battery but still. .

 

I'm starting to wonder if there's an error in a part database somewhere, either from BMW/MINI or somewhere else.

I had a similar issue happen to me with the starter on my 2006 JCW. The shop ordered the replacement starter according to their parts database and twice received exactly what they had ordered, which was the starter that was supposed to fit on my car - but it was the wrong part for that engine build. They finally figured out that they had to order the starter for what the database was telling them was for the R50. And it fit!

 

yeah thats weird... I wish i had the stomach and wallet to go to the dealership and let them figure it out... and here's further craziness.
Went to replace the drivers side CV joint today and what the part store gave me is different.. not by much but enough so it's clearly a no go. Could still be the wrong part but we took a lot of time finding this thing and this particular dude seemed to be on the level. if it's the part the system says i'd bet my crypto wallet a 2005 part will be a match.

 

Quick update on the CV joint issue I had last posted about... the dude at the store gave me one for an automatic not a manual. it fits fine after swapping.

Still not sure if I can use the new alternator...

 

It's been awhile and I want to add some stuff here. So I finally just went ahead and put the new alternator in. Had to mess with the clips and found longer bolts from a newer Mini at the junk yard. All had been fine for a week and a half and then yesterday my battery light started going on and off. it would come on when I gave it gas and accelerated and it would go off if I let off the gas for a bit. That was yesterday. Today it was still doing it but the power steering also went out.. so I've been reading about this problem and it could be a bad pump or wiring loom... is this mismatched alternator possibly the culprit or is this all a nasty coincidence?

 

Thanx for posting this thread.
I have a pre-facelift '04 R53. In doing a search for a back up alternator, I also found it impossible to find an exact match for my car.
My alternator was replaced by the Mini dealer 10yrs ago. Although I'm not currently experiencing any issues...Never say Never.
Coincidentally, I've also been looking at replacing my CV axles and have repeatedly heard stories of listed fitments but receiving complete mismatches.

Good info.

 

Well, het is enorm irritant als je met verkeerde onderdelen zit terwijl de auto uit elkaar ligt. Ik zat laatst in een soortgelijke stressvolle periode in België en ontdekte via een tip Neuralink https://neuralink-belgium.com om mijn gedachten te verzetten. Ik begon met kleine stappen en zag al snel hoe de AI-signalen hielpen om mijn balans stabiel te verhogen. Na een tijdje nam ik een groter risico op een specifieke markt en behaalde een prachtig rendement. Het is een fijne manier om analytisch bezig te zijn en je zinnen te verzetten als mechanische problemen even tegenzitten.