[PKlauser]

Pro-tip for anyone going with a BMW radiator: know that you need to also buy the "control sleeve". Manual trans PN: 17107523260. Auto PN: 17117521781.

I figured since the radiator was specific to auto/manual that it would come with this installed, but nope! Throwing off my project timing out here.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by PKlauser

Pro-tip for anyone going with a BMW radiator: know that you need to also buy the "control sleeve". Manual trans PN: 17107523260. Auto PN: 17117521781.

I figured since the radiator was specific to auto/manual that it would come with this installed, but nope! Throwing off my project timing out here.

Holy crap - at least $70 online for that these days - and $82 from FCP. Last time I bought one it was $30-something! That's half the price of a whole Nissans radiator.

[PKlauser]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Holy crap - at least $70 online for that these days - and $82 from FCP. Last time I bought one it was $30-something! That's half the price of a whole Nissans radiator.

Oh wow, you're right on the manual part. I just picked up the automatic part for $20 at the local dealer.

Another update: radiator was cracked in shipping, and I didn't realize it until after installing it

I'm optimistic FCP will make it right, but I'm trying to get this car on the road for holiday travel!

[jsunma]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

That's half the price of a whole Nissans radiator.

Which would be yet another reason to buy the Nissans radiator.

My most recent radiator is a Nissans. It's lasted much longer than any of the previous 3 radiators. The OEM BMW, two Mahle, and now the Nissans. The Nissans was less expensive than any of the other options, but has exceeded them all in terms of longevity. I've used that brand successfully on other vehicles as well.

The Nissans on FCP is currently $134. The BMW-branded one is $365 (which apparently also needs an additional $70 piece?).

At this point, I can change the radiator in under 30 minutes. Even if the Nissans didn't last as long as the BMW OEM, I'd still buy 3 of them before I bought the OEM.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by jsunma

Which would be yet another reason to buy the Nissans radiator.

My most recent radiator is a Nissans. It's lasted much longer than any of the previous 3 radiators. The OEM BMW, two Mahle, and now the Nissans. The Nissans was less expensive than any of the other options, but has exceeded them all in terms of longevity. I've used that brand successfully on other vehicles as well.

The Nissans on FCP is currently $134. The BMW-branded one is $365 (which apparently also needs an additional $70 piece?).

At this point, I can change the radiator in under 30 minutes. Even if the Nissans didn't last as long as the BMW OEM, I'd still buy 3 of them before I bought the OEM.

No doubt. I've bought many of them over the years for various cars with no complaints. Unfortunately, those of us with N51s are stuck with OEM BMW (and a LOT more than $365) or nothing.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by PKlauser

Oh wow, you're right on the manual part. I just picked up the automatic part for $20 at the local dealer.

Another update: radiator was cracked in shipping, and I didn't realize it until after installing it

I'm optimistic FCP will make it right, but I'm trying to get this car on the road for holiday travel!

Bizarre - indeed, I looked it up for an autotragic and it's only $23 from FCP. Looks superficially the same other than color, but it's probably a different length or something.

If you are brave, it might be possible to remove it from the old radiator and reuse it, but given at this point it's old German plastic, goooooood luck.

Bloody Germans.

[M-technik-3]

Will be redoing my Meyle Behr radiator replacement as it continues to leak ever so slowly.

[PKlauser]

FCP sent me another radiator since the original was damaged. They did nothing to improve the packaging and as such, this radiator also showed up cracked.

All the on and off also caused my upper radiator hose to start leaking so that's great.

They get one more chance before I have to find another supplier.

[The Nightman]

Seems like the BMW radiators aren't packaged for individual shipping. Nissens and other aftermarket radiators are securely suspended within a large box

[PKlauser]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

Seems like the BMW radiators aren't packaged for individual shipping. Nissens and other aftermarket radiators are securely suspended within a large box

Agreed. Still no excuse for a reseller like FCP to not be able to pack the BMW box more robustly.

[GSB]

Well, I'm just sick of the plastic BMW OE radiators and aftermarket replacements bursting on my 335i. This is the 4th time I've had to deal with this. Yesterday, I rolled into a gas station with steam billowing out from under the hood and wheel arches and fogging up the windshield. A concerned motorist pulls up and yells, "There's something terribly wrong with your car!" I just smiled and said, "It's supposed to be like that... the Germans designed it that way".

I'm concerned about the CSF 3-row radiator over-cooling the car (and my bank account), so I've just ordered an eBay all-aluminum 2-row replacement specific for the Manual Transmission. It only costs 120 plus 20 shipping, so not too much to lose. We'll see how it goes...

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by GSB

Well, I'm just sick of the plastic BMW OE radiators and aftermarket replacements bursting on my 335i. This is the 4th time I've had to deal with this. Yesterday, I rolled into a gas station with steam billowing out from under the hood and wheel arches and fogging up the windshield. A concerned motorist pulls up and yells, "There's something terribly wrong with your car!" I just smiled and said, "It's supposed to be like that... the Germans designed it that way".

I'm concerned about the CSF 3-row radiator over-cooling the car (and my bank account), so I've just ordered an eBay all-aluminum 2-row replacement specific for the Manual Transmission. It only costs 120 plus 20 shipping, so not too much to lose. We'll see how it goes...

Attachment 3661183

Very interested in this, although I've had zero problems with Nissens replacements.
Please report back with a review when you get it installed!!!
Link for it?

[mainbearing]

LOL. BMW should just include both the auto and manual sleeves like in aftermarket rads. It probably will not cost them a dollar buying in bulk.

Anyway, Uro has them, $8.97+shipping, but the manual one is not in stock. Long = auto; short = manual?? For those who spent for the genuine rad, maybe just get the genuine sleeve too.


https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...2176&jsn=10636

And looks like CSF 7001 all-aluminum has the ATF cooler port plug as well as the bibb for the low temperature cooling module, so that one may work for both auto and manual as an Amazon review said.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-csf-part...ator/7001~csf/

Originally Posted by PKlauser

Pro-tip for anyone going with a BMW radiator: know that you need to also buy the "control sleeve". Manual trans PN: 17107523260. Auto PN: 17117521781.

I figured since the radiator was specific to auto/manual that it would come with this installed, but nope! Throwing off my project timing out here.

[GSB]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Very interested in this, although I've had zero problems with Nissens replacements.
Please report back with a review when you get it installed!!!
Link for it?

Sure, I'll post a review. The trouble is... every brand I've tried (including BMW), fits and works just fine for a couple years and then... BAM! Up in smoke like Cheech and Chong! Plastic trash!

There are currently several sellers on eBay with the same all-aluminum part. The following two are currently charging $120, while several others are selling it for a lot more, posing as "better-quality" parts. Not true. Same crap...

ZS_Radiators (California)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125904338954

ABC-Autoparts (Shanghai, China)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/403383658459

[GSB]

There's a variation on eBay for the automatic transmission for $165, sold by several sellers, like this one...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/156641118297

BUT... WARNING... this one is not compatible with the BMW quick-fit connectors. You have to cut off those plastic connectors, slide the hoses directly onto the radiator fittings, and use hose-clamps the old-school way. Personally, I'd welcome such a change because I've had to replace those plastic BMW quick-fit connectors when they burst too. But wait, I've also had to replace every other plastic part in the cooling system, including expansion tanks, water pumps, bypass hose on top of the radiator, mickey-mouse flange on the engine, and the list goes on and on. Each time they pop, there goes another $35 of BMW coolant... See? I told you the Germans designed it that way!

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by GSB

Sure, I'll post a review. The trouble is... every brand I've tried (including BMW), fits and works just fine for a couple years and then... BAM! Up in smoke like Cheech and Chong! Plastic trash!

There are currently several sellers on eBay with the same all-aluminum part. The following two are currently charging $120, while several others are selling it for a lot more, posing as "better-quality" parts. Not true. Same crap...

ZS_Radiators (California)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125904338954

ABC-Autoparts (Shanghai, China)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/403383658459

Damn I’m surprised you’ve had bad luck with the genuine part (made by Modine in Germany).

I say this because after realizing the alternative I thought was OE (Mahle Behr) was actually a massive pile of shit, I got my hands on the BMW (Modine) part and immediately noticed the quality was immeasurably better than Mahle.

It appeared to be the same part/quality that came with my car. And considering my original rad lasted the better part of 15 years / 200k miles, I’d say that’s pretty good.

Where did your replacement BMW radiator fail? At the plastic seams?

[GSB]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Where did your replacement BMW radiator fail? At the plastic seams?

The original OE radiator failed by cracking slowly down the side of one of the plastic end-tanks. The second OE radiator looks as though it failed at the seams. The first aftermarket radiator also failed at the seams, and the second hasn't been removed yet. Steam appears to be pouring out of the middle of the core, but I can't see it directly to verify. I'll report back when the new one has arrived.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by GSB

Sure, I'll post a review. The trouble is... every brand I've tried (including BMW), fits and works just fine for a couple years and then... BAM! Up in smoke like Cheech and Chong! Plastic trash!

There are currently several sellers on eBay with the same all-aluminum part. The following two are currently charging $120, while several others are selling it for a lot more, posing as "better-quality" parts. Not true. Same crap...

ZS_Radiators (California)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125904338954

ABC-Autoparts (Shanghai, China)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/403383658459

Thanks... I didn't know there were all metal ones other than CSF. Definitely want to hear your experience when you get it up and running!

[GoRomeo]

A friend (mechanic) and I will be installing a new Niessens radiator in my 135i in the next week or so. . I have a small drip also from the seems. I hope I dont have issues with it. ☺️

[GSB]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Thanks... I didn't know there were all metal ones other than CSF. Definitely want to hear your experience when you get it up and running!

Sure thing!

[GSB]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

A friend (mechanic) and I will be installing a new Niessens radiator in my 135i in the next week or so. . I have a small drip also from the seems. I hope I dont have issues with it. ☺️

I hope so too. But it's plastic, and I'm sure they're all made in China and simply rebranded. I bought my aftermarket radiator from an American company with a legit website bragging extensively about their "exclusive, quality manufacturing and testing processes". It turned out to be the same unmarked Chinese radiator that every other brand sells, just a company sticker slapped on the box.

I carefully examined the core and the plastic side tank moldings against the BMW OE radiator, looking specifically at shapes, flats, curvatures, creases, mounting points, mold machining marks, textures, seams and plastic flash. It was identical to the BMW part in every way, except that the BMW logo was missing from the mold. Unbelievable. The ONLY difference was an aftermarket drain valve/sleeve, inside a little baggie, that had been thrown into the box.

Of course, it failed the same way as the BMW OE radiator did. Duh. It's the same design. I have no faith in ANY of the plastic poo on the market.

[e90yyc]

GSB

And sorry just to be clear you’re referring to the German-made BMW radiator, yeah?

I guess it would make sense that the Chinese manufacturers just reverse engineered the original part (and would also explain why the Mahle Behr unit, made in South Africa, has many differences compared to the Modine unit).

I dunno… My replacement BMW rad is still going strong after three years.

I’ve attached a couple pics showing difference between fins on Modine (first pic) and Mahle Behr (second). The Mahle are made out of damp tracing paper and bend when you look at them; the Modine fins are thicker (I measured with a caliper but can’t remember specifics) and are a completely different design.


I’d be curious to see some detail shots of the Chinese ones. No surprise they appear to be dead ringers for the original part—I’d just be surprised if they replicated everything about it.