There are not many manufacturers and remanufacturers of auto parts, and you will find many of them, be they in Auto Zone or Advance boxes are actually done by the same companies. That goes for the NAPA's, O'Reillys, Carquests, dealers, and vehicle manufacturers as well.

Personally, I'd go with the one with the best warranty. A parts store can't stay in business if they are forced to warranty everything, and if it has a lifetime warranty, they expect some service life out of the part, otherwise they wouldn't offer it. It's also the reason most local electric shops offer a 30 to 90 day warranty only. Also, most parts stores that offer a lifetime warranty on their rotating electrical reman, those parts have all internals replaced. That is the case for BBB and Remy, but only their premium lines.

Oh, and Autozone does not make anything. Their value line (which it seemed you were pricing out) is manufacturered 60% by Remy, 40% by MPA. Remy and MPA are the primary remanufacturers for them, Advance, O'Reillys, ACDelco, CSK, Pepboys, and 25% of Carquest. Beck Arnley are actually remanufacturered by a company called BBB, which covers NAPA and the majority of Carquest.

New alts have NEW parts. While a lifetime warranty is nice, the labor to r&r the thing is a beeyotch. Easy parts I'll go to the FLAPS, not an alt, starter or a trans.....or anything else that takes more than 4 hours to replace.

send your original to have it rebuilt
 

Send it to "NED" at 316-265-8990.alternator and starter repair 1512 e. Douglas, Wichita, Ks. He just rebuilt mine for less than $100.00. New bearings, brush's and diode pack. Damn fine fellow, I have done biz with him for 20 years.

Keith Epperly
87 slant nose turbo look /carrea cabriolet

yep. I'd love to sent it to someone like Ned, but I'm out of time...I need this car to go all day on Thursday.

So I'm going to have to swap out for a replacement. I'm looking at costs (as far as I can tell) of roughly $135 for the autoline to over $700 for the new Bosch.

What's worth what? New over brand or brand over new? Brand seems to be what most of us have chosen with our cars...

Depending on the model year, there is no such thing as NEW Bosch repalcement alternators.....I know my SC, my 964 motor and my 914/6...they're all remans....

our host seems to offer two optios for new alternators on this page: Porsche 911 & Carrera Charging System - Page 1

Orcadigital! It seem,s that the only question on this board is one that is not asked!!! With your limited contributions may be you should not drink before posting and being arrogant.
Keith epperly
87 slant nose turbo look carrera cabriolet

Edited my post to be politically correct.

If you'd like to PM me as to at how many posts I can be arrogant like you, please let me know. Also, is that post count different from personal attacks and accusations of drunkeness? I missed those restrictions in the TOS.

Until recently, I have had 914's, and unfortunately, there is not much participation in the 914 forums. Now that I have a 911 and a Boxster, I spend more time here. There is very little Boxster talk here as well, but Wayne is a huge resource.

To the original poster...

I have used NAPA alternators in 1 914, and 1 944, and a NAPA starter in 2 914's, as well as both in many non-Porsche applications. I have had excellent luck with all of them, but I also bought their premium versions due to what others have suggested, that all the internals are replaced.

On my alternator the slip rings were worn with deep grooves. I think this would be common. The brushes won't last as long if this is the case.

Take the regulator off and look to see if they are new. I wouldn't worry too much about stressed diodes.

Mine off the internet was much cheaper than that.

There isn't a 16yr old in the back of Autozone rebuilding starters. They get them from the same suppliers as everyone else and just retag them like evry other national chain does. All those local rebuilders are usually doing the work as again the work is farmed out. So why not go with the lifetime warranty that is Nationwide.

Ever try and explain to the guy who thinks he is the authority on everything alternator at the local shop who simply does not want to refund the money? Go to Autozone and they simply hand over a new box. Can't be any easier. Isn't Remy also the maker of Powermaster?