Time for a cooling system refresh - OEM radiator still the way to go?

[D-O]

I would also recommend going with OE replacement. I've run many different aftermarket rads on both my street and track E46Ms, and have never had a problem with OE.

That would be preferred, but it would mean waiting until mid November earliest, or possibly into the new year according to some sources.

Seems like the safest alternatives are Koyo or Zionsville.

[Tbonem3]

On a separate note, how about the Ina tensioners and pulleys? FCP has them listed as OE. Anyone have experience with them?

INA is factory.

You can trust FCP's designations of OE, OES, OEM & aftermarket

[oceansize]

On a separate note, how about the Ina tensioners and pulleys? FCP has them listed as OE. Anyone have experience with them?

I replaced all that with INA about six months or so ago, legit as Tbonem3 said.

[D-O]

Many thanks, gentlemen.

[PSUEng]

On a separate note, how about the Ina tensioners and pulleys? FCP has them listed as OE. Anyone have experience with them?

I've run INA, no problem.

[Obioban]

Another vote for OE.

Since only the water pump has failed, do it now and the rest when it comes in stock. Coolant is cheap.

[D-O]

Another vote for OE.

Since only the water pump has failed, do it now and the rest when it comes in stock. Coolant is cheap.

I am considering this. Coolant is cheap, it is my time that is valuable.

[Nate047]

So is there any indication of when the OEM rad might be available again? November?

[Aeko]

INA is factory.

You can trust FCP's designations of OE, OES, OEM & aftermarket

Sorry to derail but what's the difference with OES? I'm aware of what OE and OEM are.

[Tbonem3]

OES, a more recent term, means the supplier of that original equipment. So the TPS were made by ABelekric, but they got bought or maybe sold a whole inventory of TPS to "VNE" VNE buys parts, as far as I can tell, doesn't make them. VNE is not an OEM for us, but they are an OES or at least supply the OE part, and thus, the part is listed as OES on FCPeuro.

The designations OE, OES, OEM can be used for both the part itself and the manufacturer or supplier. I'm not actually saying that that is the correct way, but that's what you'll see.

[Nate047]

No, too many aftermarket and OEM parts. You want OE (or OES) in important places. You can get away with OEM on a few things like the hoses if you reuse your oe orings or get better orings like Wolfn8tor sells here.

This was confusing because the page for the cooling kit shows this kit as "OEM" with the little blue tag, but if you go to the radiator product page it says "quality: aftermarket" so basically the rad is not qualified as OE or OEM

[Tbonem3]

Correct. Nissen or whoever it is, like Koyo, might be quality, but it's not a company that made parts for BMW.

I don't see how/why FCP is giving any designation to these kits that are made up of OE, OEM and aftermarket. I do, however, appreciate that they list each part and its manufacturer out.

[t44tq]

Nissens is crap quality- I'll never buy one for any application, ever again. I had one fail within 12 months on my old Volvo, quality was suspect even when I got it. Thin plastic, worse than the original parts.

Koyo is OE or better. A lot of people into European cars don't know Koyo or Calsonic; they make radiators for nearly all of the Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, etc. Japanese cars. Not Chinese crap like Mishimoto or CSF.

[D-O]

Calsonic is a major supplier for Nissan. Radiators, AC condensers and compressors, exhaust parts.

[D-O]

Correct. Nissen or whoever it is, like Koyo, might be quality, but it's not a company that made parts for BMW.

I don't see how/why FCP is giving any designation to these kits that are made up of OE, OEM and aftermarket. I do, however, appreciate that they list each part and its manufacturer out.

Agreed. FCP giving this one the OEM designation is a just a bit misleading.