dr914

I agree with Kevin, use nothing but Bosch, and they have superseded the alternator from two different part numbers according to engine serial number 81609866 and from 867, but with the attachment parts quoted, you will get the latest and the greatest. Plan on paying 400 US plus a core. This is the ONLY alternator we will install on a 2006 S

Jeff928S4

So, took the alternator out - it's a Hitachi (948.603.015.04).

There were two burnt diodes - most likely caused by the alternator trying to pump up the bad battery I had in the car prior to new one I have now.

They said they could repair it, but they need a rectifier plate (which holds the diodes) and their suppliers don't carry it. I also did some searching and came up with nothing.

Went searching for a new "94860301504" and the search results are mostly from Germany/China/overseas - not one American link to be found. I found a new Hitachi in Latvia ($900 American), but it will take until the end of February to ship here.
I did find one in a junkyard in the USA off a 2005 that I pull the rectifier plate from.

*If* I could find a new Hitachi that is closer, I would buy it. I'd rather a new alternator vs a rebuild.
Seems my only option now is to get the Bosche rebuild (couldn't find any new ones anywhere). I found one for $430 (CARiD) and one for $332 (Auto Parts Warehouse ). The one from CARiD says it was rebuilt by Bosche.

J'sWorld

Sonnen has the Hitachi for about $500 after core .

Jeff928S4

Where did you get your Hitachi from?

Jeff928S4

Just called them and got the answering machine.


I got through.....but the fella on the phone didn't say it was a Hitachi. He said it was a "Porsche alternator....whatever Porsche used". I did see a listing for an alternator on their site, but the price threw me off.

Ok - an update - they sell NEW Hitachi alternators for $1,300+ (No core obviously).
...but they also sell the re manufactured Hitachi for $488 (with a core charge of $643). This seems to be my best bet - a rebuilt Bosch is around the same price, so I should go with the Hitachi from a Porsche dealership.

Weird thing was....the part number he gave me was 948.603.015 EX. This is the same part number used by Pelican Parts for their rebuilt Bosch. My head hurts.

Jeff928S4

I've also found some 948.603.015.03 alternators from various Porsche dealerships for around $350-380.

They are $100 less than the 948.603.015 EX, but they are Delphi models.

J'sWorld

So here's the deal with Porsche, Sonnen, and the Reman Hitachi. For whatever reason Porsche list it as reman but it is indeed new. I got one from them about a year ago and the parts guy explained this to me. Get the reman, it will be new.

Also took my old one to an alternator shop and there are no parts available for the Delphi either.

I am curious as to why some are saying go with Bosch only? When I did the research I found they do not even make a water cooled alt.

J'sWorld

I am not by my computer but I do think the EX part number is correct. I have ordered probably 7k in parts from Sonnen in the past few years and they always did good business. They also happen to have the best pricing 90% of the time .

Jeff928S4

I can see how there would no parts for the Delphi, as it has been discontinued.

As for Sonnen - they list two alternators...

948 603 015 05 - this would be a new Hitachi - they list it at $1,352, with no core.
948 603 015 ex - this would be what they are saying is the reman - it's $1,131 ($488+$642 core). When I was talking to the parts guy, he physically went and got the alternator (because due to the "ex", I thought it may be a Bosch) and he said it was indeed a Hitachi. I will have to call them back and see if it is, in fact, a new one.

Now, here is my other option....while search/calling Porsche dealerships, I found a few that still listed the 948 603 015 03 alternator - this was the Delphi unit. I called a dealership in Texas and they said they can no longer get that alternator....same with a few other dealerships. Thing is, the Delphi unit I was seeing listed was NEW (no mention of a core).....and only around $380. There is ONE showing in all of the USA at a certain dealership - I tried calling them and they were closed (on the same coast as me).

Now, if the Sonnen alternator ends up being a reman Hitachi (for $488), am I better off going with a NEW Dephi for $100 less than the reman Hitachi?????

Mind you - if the Hitachi at Sonnen is in fact new, that is the no-brainer option - it's just hard to imagine they are selling new Hitachi's for $1300 (no core) AND are selling new ones for $488+core. I'll have to call them back again and double check.

What would you folks do......pay $488 for a reman Hitachi (if they are remans at Sonnen) or $380 for a new Delphi (which seems to be the last one in existence lol)?

J'sWorld

Strange but true. I went thru all this myself.

oldskewel

Complicated, and I know how it is. This is one reason my first attempt is always to self repair vs. replace - wanting to avoid the research project in identifying WTF is going on. No advice from me on this since you are so far ahead of me. Very interesting, I'm sure many will refer to this thread as more of the original alternators die out.

But I can add that if you're trying to figure out how a reman Hitachi can possibly be actually new, and why wouldn't they call it new and charge more, I've read that sometimes this is done to avoid / evade tarriffs. Somehow rebuilt parts may be taxed differently than new, etc. So yes, I can definitely believe the reman is actually new. I'd probably go with that vs. all the other choices.

Jeff928S4

Well, I called Sonnen - the parts guy basically said all the alternators do actually have the part #948 603 015 05 on the sticker.....but the boxes the remans come in have the #948 603 015 ex. He said he thinks sometimes Porsche puts the new Hitachi's in reman boxes - in looking at a reman vs a new one, he cannot tell tell you the difference (they both have same part # on the sticker). So, anyone who has bought the $488 alternator will see the "new" number on the sticker - BUT, they could actually be remans.

Either way - he talked me into the idea of getting the reman Hitachi vs the new Delphi.....basically because the actual difference between a new Hitachi and a reman is not that much and it will be worth it to have a Hitachi vs a Delphi.

Signing off for the night - just wanted to say super thanks to all those who chimed into this thread. I went from possibly looking at pay over $1200 for a Hitachi and now I may get a new one for $488. Hopefully some of my research in this thread will help others in the future also. .

Travis

nodoors

I went the Sonnen route as well. I ordered the EX model Hitachi at the advice of J and others on the board. Mine also appeared to be brand new. Shipping the old delphi back was about $40 and they promptly refunded my core charge. If I ever meet the person in charge of Porsche Parts at their headquarters it will take all my will power to not kick him in the nuts. I am seriously getting turned off by the brand for all of their ****ery. I expect this kind of treatment by the manufacturers of my Italian machines (they seem to never be able to get fuel tanks/systems correct) but the level of nonsense and price gouging I have witnessed from Porsche is really eye opening. These remanufactured alternators will be $1k in 5 years or less and the new ones will be $2k. Mark my words.

deilenberger

At that point - the market demand vs price will encourage other rebuilders to come up with a more cost effective solution.. so it will be a wash probably.