Thought I would start a thread on Duralast alternator.

Has anyone installed one yet & how has it taken?
I will leave updates from install to when ever.. .

My OEM alternator froze-up from its long vacation & buying $800 alternator just doesn't seem right especially without a lifetime warranty.
I chose after market with a local supply house wanting lifetime warranty.
Duralast is the only one as of yet around without going mail order for under $200.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...artNumber=true

 

There are about 3 different types for our cars, fyi just hold it up to the original one to make sure mounting points are the same before taking it all apart.

As far as FB on them goes. Our club mechanic has installed some aftermarket brand(s). Most from Carquest I think ? So far no issues I am aware of.

If purchased from penskeparts.com, they give a two year warranty no matter who installs it.

 

The best way is to find a local and reputable (Yelp and BBB rated) alternator repair shop and let them rebuild your alternator.

Find a shop that offers a 1 year or more warranty, some have lifetime warranties, as they figure most people don't keep their cars that long and usually the warranties not trasnferable.

Make sure they rebuild your own unit. This way, you know that it will fit properly and not one they had re-built but maybe it was from a different year Mini model.

You can also ask most of these alt shops to give you the "better internals", may cost a bit more, may not for them. They can up the output if you want up to certain point as you don't want the new alt to over-charge your car.

Many times, the cost of a rebuild is cheaper than buying aftermarket and for sure OEM and you end up with a pretty good alt.

 

Go read the other thread on the guy that is on Alternator #4, how much is your time worth?

Duralast isn't the OEM manufacture for MINI parts.

 

Duralast isn't. But all three of the alternators that I got was all remanufactured Denso alternators. (In the other thread) They are also close to the same price your selling them for. It really depends on the rebuider, and remanufactured alternators are hit or miss. Whether you like to call them a ".com" site or not, they are reputable in other communities. I'd suggest to go new.