Need alternator ID help

[marrow]

I have a 96 318ti. How do I determine which Alternator I should have? I recently purchased one from a guy for a good price but I live on an island off of New Brunswick and it was a big expense to get it here and it does not fit. Arrgh. The holes dont line up. The guy swears it is from a 96 318ti. I think he is lying or they had more then one alternator that year. Help! How do I determine the right one or more specifically was the alternator the same for all of 1996. Thanks in advance.

[tiFreak]

are there any part numbers on it? I didn't think there was any difference in the 318 alternators except for the amperage

[cooljess76]

www.realoem.com

^^^type in the last 7 digits of your VIN and you could find any part number for your car.

[Platanos]

I have one for sale from a 95 ti. Pm me if your interested

[pdxmotorhead]

When I got a new one for my 1995 I had to grind on the mounting face to get it in. It was about .040 too tight. I think they machine the faces during rebuilds and it essentially shortens the alternator.

Dave

[marrow]

Thanks everyone for your help, I typed the vin in at www.realoem.com and the guy had sold me the wrong alternator. It would cost me more to chase him down as he is off island then it is worth and the local place that rebuilds alternators said they would knock 20$ off the price of rebuilding my old alternator in exchange for the incorrect one I bought. Rebuilding them is cheaper then I thought it would be and they guarantee it for a year. Thanks all.