Mercedes Alternator - SEG Automotive 0124.625.211

The last one of these I bought for this car was a replacement for the original alternator that took a dump around 110k miles iirc, around 4/2022... pretty sure it was replacing the factory-original unit since the brush/charge module had already been replaced on it. Here we are at 141k-ish miles in 2024 replacing it again. Should be the exact same alternator as the now-dead Bosch unit, since SEG acquired Bosch's manufacturing facilities for alternators and some other things. Windings on the 2-year old unit were not uniform reddish color like the new unit, I assume discoloring from heat. Looked somewhat burnt. Was also only keeping car voltage around 10.2-11 volts while running. REPLACEMENT HACK: On the CL55 you can squeeze the alternator between the hoses and radiator if you remove the fan... you'll have to apply some force but I haven't broken anything 2 replacements in. REMOVAL HACK: the alternator is pressed into place with these weird o-shaped metal tubes the bolts go through, which is why the alternator is so hard to get out-- they press the alternator into place. You can grab and compress them with a Vice grip plier set and wiggle them out a tiny bit so they're not applying pressure on the alternator. (there is maybe 1-2mm of these little washer things sticking out the front of the mounting tabs on the front side of the engine). Overall kind of mid quality for what should be an OEM-produced unit, but then again the Germans probably didn't test their cars in 90-108 degree Texas heat for years and years. It is what it is lol.