What brand replacement radiator would you guys recommend?
Cost and DIY difficulty?
('90 535im)
Big, Big Time Poster
Raidator Replacement Recommendations
What brand replacement radiator would you guys recommend?
Cost and DIY difficulty?
('90 535im)
1990 535i 5-sp., except for 16" M-Contours, cd deck, and clear corners, completely stock. 226k and running strong
Big, Big Time Poster
Bump - Is bumping fair?
1990 535i 5-sp., except for 16" M-Contours, cd deck, and clear corners, completely stock. 226k and running strong
Nissens from BMA failed within a year.
BMA said it was the only Nissens return they could remember. It failed after 10 months.
Big, Big Time Poster
My Nissens failed after a year and a half
The classic leaky-neck syndrome. Now I have Behr & hope it will last a good bit longer.
Drew Zacharda
6-speed Touring
Originally Posted by RickyJ
Super Moderator
I have had good results with the radiators from these
guys at www.radiator.com I've used valeo,nissen, behr and gdn from them with no problems . They offer a lifetime warranty on them anyway and have warehouses in most major cities. I have probably gotten 150 from them in the last 5 years and have only warranteed one... That was a gm product using dexcool...yech. Its a very easy diy and you should buy these parts before starting , the clips usually break the first time you attempt to remove them. After you do it once you figure out how to remove them without breaking them
What brand replacement radiator would you guys recommend?
Cost and DIY difficulty?
('90 535im)
Last edited by Bill R.; 02-23-2004 at 11:16 AM.
Super Moderator
also even though it shows 9 expanding rivets you only need 2
guys at www.radiator.com I've used valeo,nissen, behr and gdn from them with no problems . They offer a lifetime warranty on them anyway and have warehouses in most major cities. I have probably gotten 150 from them in the last 5 years and have only warranteed one... That was a gm product using dexcool...yech. Its a very easy diy and you should buy these parts before starting , the clips usually break the first time you attempt to remove them. After you do it once you figure out how to remove them without breaking them
Big, Big Time Poster
I was leaning toward Behr. I have read good comments regarding the brand. I think I remember reading where BMA substituted another Brand for Behr, or vias versa. I'm getting a little cautious about BMA, because evonthough i like their products and pricing, they're 0-2 in properly filling my orders.
1990 535i 5-sp., except for 16" M-Contours, cd deck, and clear corners, completely stock. 226k and running strong
Super Moderator
I've seen just as many necks snap off on the behr as on the others. In my own
car I have had a valeo now for the last couple of years with no problems.
Grand Master
guess I am surprised to hear of the necks snapping off the Nissen radiators. My understanding was Nissen deliberately has a straight versus corregated nipple design
(nipples are one of my favorite subjects) to keep the nipples from breaking off...theory being the low spots between the nipple convolutes are stress risers. Guess I am glad I bought a Behr last summer to replace the original Behr radiator in my E-32 based upon the comments here.
George
4 Grand Master
Nissen got thicker nipple... isn't that scary? My nissen is still fine after 3 years
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