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

[dukeofchen]

FYI just ordered this unit advertised as NRF from eBay.

For the price, worth it for a flier.

[bavarian3]

To close on this I ended up fitting the NRF unit. I had to add rubber washer/spacers between the upper driver side radiator and bracket/chassis side mount hole. Others seem to not have had this issue, but I fought it for hours, even dremeled different spots to try and buy more space and swear it wouldn't line up otherwise.

One more thing about the NRF, the fins are laughably softer than genuine so be careful.

If I could go back I would just have ordered the genuine.

We need to make an official sticky thread with which parts on these cars that need to be Original BMW and what you can use Rein/Febi/etc for. I’ve heard from a couple people that these rad hoses are a must be Original situation.

Yeah so about the hose, I ended up trimming mine. Apparently with the rein hoses the o-rings suck too. I changed mine with the Viton kit sold on here.

The lower rad hose fit fine fwiw.

[Cronenberged]

We need to make an official sticky thread with which parts on these cars that need to be Original BMW and what you can use Rein/Febi/etc for. I’ve heard from a couple people that these rad hoses are a must be Original situation.

I kinda did that with the best bushings thread, I don't mind to contribute but it would be a side project and take some time. Also, would be good to add list the + items in order of greatest to least like CSL boxes, reinforcements, so forth.

[Nate047]

We need to make an official sticky thread with which parts on these cars that need to be Original BMW and what you can use Rein/Febi/etc for. I’ve heard from a couple people that these rad hoses are a must be Original situation.

[bavarian3]

correction on the upper rad hose fitment. the radiator isn't the issue. the rein hose is. with the two hoses lined up on the thermostat housing this is how the hose ends up.

rein on top
genuine on bottom. genuine fits with minimal tension.






this still leaves the issue of the upper mounting hole not lining up. this seems to be due to the sliding bracket on the radiator. can't quite pinpoint what's wrong, but something is offf.

[Cronenberged]

I purchased a Modine from FCP and was sent one of these. After fighting the thing for an hour due to misaligned top mounting screw hole, I measured it next to the genuine piece and turns out it's taller.

Did you have any issues with fitment? Not sure where to go from here.


also tagging Cronenberged

Really wish FCP would use the information I provided them that Modine doesn't produce our radiators anymore.

Sounds like you just got the wrong one, would definitely just exchange it for another one. NRF is BMWs new radiator manufacturer, but 2 of their 3 production plants are in China so maybe it's just a mis labeled product. I didn't have any fitment issues with mine though.

[bavarian3]

That’s so weird, the one I received fit without issue. Side bracket . A year in, seems to do the job.

If it’s as off spec as you describe I’d run an exchange back with fcp. How much taller is it?

Just double checked, the Genuine unit is actually taller.

So this means there's something wrong with the plastic side brackets. I measured these, and they seemed pretty much even.

In addition, the Modine/NRF is actually not as wide, causing tension on the upper right rad hose by having to pull it left for fitting.

[meowth]

I purchased a Modine from FCP and was sent one of these. After fighting the thing for an hour due to misaligned top mounting screw hole, I measured it next to the genuine piece and turns out it's taller.

Did you have any issues with fitment? Not sure where to go from here.

also tagging Cronenberged

That’s so weird, the one I received fit without issue. Side bracket . A year in, seems to do the job.

If it’s as off spec as you describe I’d run an exchange back with fcp. How much taller is it?

[bavarian3]

Just in case anyone bought one from Pelican, I received mine a couple days ago and it is an "NRF" (Netherlands Radiator Factory) branded radiator. Contacted Pelican and sales rep was insistent that it's the same part despite the very apparent branding discrepancy. "It's the same part number and we've sold a lot and no one has returned it so it's good" was his reasoning. Disappointing service to say the least. It seems the suspicions you guys had about the supplier change was on point.

So, anyone have experience with NRF? The end caps are a shinier plastic compared to stock but still feels decently dense and strong.

I purchased a Modine from FCP and was sent one of these. After fighting the thing for an hour due to misaligned top mounting screw hole, I measured it next to the genuine piece and turns out it's taller.

Did you have any issues with fitment? Not sure where to go from here.


also tagging Cronenberged

[9kracing]

Going back to the Dinan comment- the radiator Dinan used might be a Ron Davis. Ron Davis does have E46 M3 specs to build one to order. All aluminum, made in US and expensive- I think $1600 when I asked?

Based on the one pic I can find online, I'd say this is a good bet. It looks just like it.

[t44tq]

Going back to the Dinan comment- the radiator Dinan used might be a Ron Davis. Ron Davis does have E46 M3 specs to build one to order. All aluminum, made in US and expensive- I think $1600 when I asked?

[Cronenberged]

Is there any way to tell if the dealer part is Modine or Nissens?

You can't buy the MODINE anymore. MODINE no longer manufactures radiator parts for our cars. It's now NRF which is a German company.

[elbert]

Bro...some people on this forum were in diapers back then...holy shit I'm getting old!

Hahaha crap. You and me both!

[174bpm]

I installed a Nissens form FCP last August since I couldn't find an OEM in stock at the time. Fitment was fine, been running it since last Aug. No issues so far. "Knocks on wood"

[Tbonem3]

It's Modine, though they've been since bought.