alternator dead

[MinikinMawr]

Ok, my mini cooper d 2007 alternator is faulty, car broke down on the way to work, AA towed it to haliwell jones chester, they said it needs a new alternator and battery, a grand total of £1490, i nearly fainted, i said how can it need a new alternator at 4 years old, i said i want to make a complaint to mini and they said they would get back to me, with a new price of just over £800, this is daylight robbery, what do you make of that? I am totaly gutted and very dissapointed.

[Bmont82]

Hi, take your car the heck away from there. An OEM alternator installed from a regular mini specialist (not dealer) should be around $500 USD installed.

[timp]

Oh! for the days when you could fix an alternator with bits from Lucas!.
How on earth can it cost over £700 for an alternator ferrchrissakes? I realise copper prices are skyrocketing but thats ridiculous.