My alternator went out on my 2003 C4S. What would be a typical replacement cost at an Indy shop? What is the cost to rebuild an alternator?

 

heck u can do it.

 

~$250 or less to rebuild and not more than 2hr to replace.

 

Curious, how many miles? Guessing ~60k??

 

Actually I have a DE Friday, and leave for PCA Parade Saturday, else I would try it. I see Pelican has new Bosch alternators for $465. I was quoted $1145, with new belt... I don't feel so good...car has 90K miles. (And no IMSB replacement yet.)

 

Autozone gives identical Bosch unit for under $175

 

Yeah, rebuilt for $154. So if I had time, and I do not, I could save about $1000. Ouch!

 

This is the deal for me when mine goes out. An alternator is an alternator in any language be it for a Porsche or Cadillac or whatever and who ever can supply it at the least cash then that's my seller. Bollux to over $400 when I can see it for under half that price at Autozone. Firms are perched like birds of prey just waiting to swoop on us Carrera owners when ever we need replacement parts for our vehicles. They really **** me off at times.

 

An alternator is not an alternator. Better to rebuild a factory unit than to replace it with a cheaply made new one. I'm as cheap as they come.

 

I'm quoted over $700 from the garage for the alternator, it better be new AND gold plated! The guy quoting the work made sure to mention the fabulous unlimited mileage two year warranty... I feel like I'm getting stung!

 

The Bosch ones from Autozone are OEM spec. Also, I'd rather replace a $200 alternator twice as often as a $500 OEM one.

 

Get your original one rebuilt. It takes a good alternator shop about 2-3 hrs to rebuild it. I just went thru the same thought process (new vs rebuilt new vs rebuild old). Rebuild old seems like the most cost effective way while not taking the chance on compromising quality of parts. Plus, some of the $$ being quoted above sounds more like the alternators for Tip cars vs manuals that need the clutch pulley.

From a time perspective its not bad if you can take it out yourself...dropped off the alternator, got it back 2 hrs later and then put it back in...total cost was ~$140 and they switch out the regulator and the bearings, then tested again.

 

I would do exactly as you state...just don't have the free time. Mechanic is working late tonight to get it replaced so I can be at DE tomorrow at 9 AM!

 

Dave, keep us posted as to how the DE goes tomorrow!

 

make sure it's not the voltage regulator that's not working. it's alot cheaper to replace than the regulator itself.