Ewan, this is not meant in a rude manner but I am intrigued by your comment about the shiny red thing.
You pay a fortune - the altenator goes and you are so affronted that you sell it back too them? One fault is enough to tip you over. So the expectations are that high? What am I missing as that is the polar opposite end of the fettlebodge spectrum and closer to where Plus Four/Six owners are likely to sit these days?
p.s. go low key and try a S/H Mc 720s on your roads.