Cooling System Differences Euro VS US E36 M3

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Hello Everyone!



So I have been reading on the preventive maintenance for the E36 M3 and the cooling system comes up most frequently.



My 1998 Euro M3 is almost 110,000 kms which is a little over 68,000 miles. The car is stock and all the cooling parts are original and have never been replaced.



I am looking to get information on the below.



1) Are there any differences between the cooling systems of the Euro and the US spec M3s?



2) At 68,000 miles, should I do the cooling system maintenance immediately, or will it be fine for a while. Is it safe to delay it until like 100,000 miles? I live in extremely hot climate.



3) When I do the cooling system maintenance, should I stick with the OEM parts or go with aftermarket parts like aluminium radiator, aftermarket water pump and aluminum thermostat housing etc.



4) Bimmerworld have an E36 cooling system upgrade kit. Are all of these good quality parts and worth the money? How long will these parts run reliably? Will these parts fit a 1998 Euro M3?



http://www.bimmerworld.com/E36-3-Ser...Stage-III.html



Appreciate all the help and advice.



Thanks

Hasan

[m3f_M_Parallel]

I wouldn't touch yours at that milage.


US M3 is based on the M50/M52 and has the same cooling system. So no separate cooling liquid tank and applicable hose routing.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Great. Thanks


You also have the Euro M3?

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Great. Thanks



You also have the Euro M3?

I'm located in The Netherlands, so that is basically the only option here

It's at 88.600km



See my signature.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Very nice. Enjoy in good health.


So the cooling systems on our cars are fine?


What mods do you have on your car?


Thanks

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Very nice. Enjoy in good health.



So the cooling systems on our cars are fine?



What mods do you have on your car?



Thanks

Yeah I wouldn't worry to much. Even my 328i still has its original coolant tank. Well at least I didn't ever change it in 10 years of ownership.



What mods? What not? It has about every single option that was ever available (electric/electronic) and what was not factory fitted, I retrofitted.



Only thing I am keeping are the manual seats. Mu 328i has electric ones and you can feel/see these are just a but higher and I have both at their lowest position.



You may want to check this topic I did:



CLICK HERE



Page 4 has the lastest pictures.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Very nice. Thanks

[m3f_Nick325xiT 5spd]

So, the Euro M3 comes with a better radiator, and a remote tank, and self bleeds. It's a lot better.


That said, the US system is completely adequate for the US market S50/52, aside from the annoyance involved in bleeding the system.


Given your climate, I would be inclined to to change out the radiator and tank and hoses and cooling fan/clutch. Stick with OEM. That certainly is a high stress environment for them, and the parts are not expensive.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Very nice. Thanks

Thanks.

[m3f_digger]

So, the Euro M3 comes with a better radiator, and a remote tank, and self bleeds. It's a lot better.


That said, the US system is completely adequate for the US market S50/52, aside from the annoyance involved in bleeding the system.


Given your climate, I would be inclined to to change out the radiator and tank and hoses and cooling fan/clutch. Stick with OEM. That certainly is a high stress environment for them, and the parts are not expensive.

yep had the radiator snout break off not much more than 100,000kms due to plastics + heat + time = bad. almost lunched the whole engine dont neglect the cooling system.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Really appreciate it.

[m3f_M3AN]

Everything above is correct and the systems are vastly different, even a completely different water pump.



Only things I can add:



* You'll never need to replace your radiator unless you break it, they're very good.



* I replaced my Euro water pump and thermostat at 160,000 km's and the parts I removed were original and still working fine.



* The expansion tank return line (hard line from radiator to expansion tank) WILL get brittle and eventually fail. I think this cost me US$30 to replace and that's a good idea the next time you do a full coolant flush.



* My friend has a Euro 3.2 M3 that has done 250,000 km's with original cooling equipment!



* Consider replacing parts as you approach 200,000 km's.



* Use genuine parts except for the water pump which is criminally expensive from BMW. Just use a Meyle HD one (~US$120).

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Thanks. This is very confidence inspiring. I was quite scared actually.



What is your suggestion for the fan clutch?

Everything above is correct and the systems are vastly different, even a completely different water pump.



Only things I can add:



* You'll never need to replace your radiator unless you break it, they're very good.



* I replaced my Euro water pump and thermostat at 160,000 km's and the parts I removed were original and still working fine.



* The expansion tank return line (hard line from radiator to expansion tank) WILL get brittle and eventually fail. I think this cost me US$30 to replace and that's a good idea the next time you do a full coolant flush.



* My friend has a Euro 3.2 M3 that has done 250,000 km's with original cooling equipment!



* Consider replacing parts as you approach 200,000 km's.



* Use genuine parts except for the water pump which is criminally expensive from BMW. Just use a Meyle HD one (~US$120).

[m3f_M3AN]

I don't run with a clutch fan but I don't think failures are common?

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

So should I change it?


Dont think I understood your post.