Dear Dieslers,

When I bought my 240D a few weeks ago, I knew it to have some sort of problem in the charging system. I put a new battery in it, and it starts fine now, but the charging voltage is low (12.2 - 12.5 V, even with engine revved). I replaced the voltage regulator, as many have recommended, but I predicted as I pulled the old one out, with it's perfectly long and unworn posts (brushes?), that it was not at fault. Indeed, when we fired it up with the new VR, the voltage was the same. Some have recommended taking the old alternator to an alternator shop to have it rebuilt, but I haven't found one nearby that has a good reputation. Now I think I'd like to replace the alternator. I'd like to put a 65 amp model in, and I don't know which one to choose.

The Denso and Bosch versions ($210 and $165, respectively) seem okay, but maybe a bit expensive? I've seen some other remanufactured ones out there for around $100. And how about this one on ebay ($50 + shipping):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCEDES-BOSCH-ALTERNATOR-DIESEL-240D-300D-450SL1975-85_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33573QQihZ003QQitemZ130124030067QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Does that seem like a bad idea?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-Ravi

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When I bought the 1983 240D with 250K miles, my father joked: "So, finally, a Mercedes-Benz in the family."