Re: $1,500 to replace alternator!?!?!
My only dealer experience was with my 2003 Audi A6 2.7T at 75k miles, when I hit a pot hole and my voltimeter dropped to zero. I knew I was in trouble. I was able to drive it to a local dealer (I was in Detroit, 170 miles from home) and he quoted me $1200 for a new alternator and install. I shopped a remanufactured at a local parts store for under $200 and they put it in, ripping me off for $400 for installation. I have 206k on the car and no problem at all with that reman unit. I think when they are rebuilt, they are subject to more QA testing than an oem unit.