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

[eacmen]

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

[M3powerzz]

I bought a nissens about 6 years ago, finally installed it , about a month ago. The driver side top mounting hole don't line up. I'm going to run it like this until I could get a modine radiator.

[bigjae46]

Yeah, looks like PWR bought out C&R in 2015.
I was thinking before then, around 15 to 20 years ago, back when the e46 was still relatively new.

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

[elbert]

Yeah, looks like PWR bought out C&R in 2015.
I was thinking before then, around 15 to 20 years ago, back when the e46 was still relatively new.

[Cronenberged]

I think a PWR is the same as a C&R?

PWR bought our C&R so it's just PWR now.

[bigjae46]

Way back then, the only aluminum radiators available were Zionsville and Fluidyne.
PWR was listed for a limited time, but AFAIK not very common in the US.

I think a PWR is the same as a C&R?

[elbert]

The Dinan radiator is solid aluminum, but I don't think it's the Koyo or PWR. Shape seems a bit different.

Perhaps they had a run of radiators made to their specs.

Way back then, the only aluminum radiators available were Zionsville and Fluidyne.
PWR was listed for a limited time, but AFAIK not very common in the US.

[9kracing]

Well considering ESS used to state on their website that the only radiator they would support was the OEM BMW or PWR (I believe it was PWR) I wouldn't be surprised if it was OEM. They flat out said if you have something else to put back the OEM.

Not sure what ESS would have to do with Dinan.

The Dinan radiator is solid aluminum, but I don't think it's the Koyo or PWR. Shape seems a bit different.

Perhaps they had a run of radiators made to their specs.

[Cronenberged]

I've been driving with the NRF for a month now and no issues. Also, I'm running just an electric spal puller.

[oceansize]

Does anyone know what Dinan used for the S3 cars? I just went out and looked at mine and I don't see any markings, but it's pretty tucked in there, I may have missed it. Welds look phenomenal, if I had to guess I'd think it was a Koyo.

I had the car out in 107 degree heat the other day pushing boost through it and my temp gauge never budged. Whatever they used, it's quite good.

Well considering ESS used to state on their website that the only radiator they would support was the OEM BMW or PWR (I believe it was PWR) I wouldn't be surprised if it was OEM. They flat out said if you have something else to put back the OEM.

[9kracing]

Does anyone know what Dinan used for the S3 cars? I just went out and looked at mine and I don't see any markings, but it's pretty tucked in there, I may have missed it. Welds look phenomenal, if I had to guess I'd think it was a Koyo.

I had the car out in 107 degree heat the other day pushing boost through it and my temp gauge never budged. Whatever they used, it's quite good.

[eacmen]

The one I got from dealer did not have any Modine or NRF branding on it, or even BMW for that matter.

Any issues with the unit you got from the dealer? Trying to decide between the dealer part and the koyo right now.

[CrookedCommie]

The one I got from dealer did not have any Modine or NRF branding on it, or even BMW for that matter.

[meowth]

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.

[CrookedCommie]

Wow that was fast, just picked it up from dealer. No markings on the radiator, came in a BMW box, just has a sticker with the new BMW part #. $358.57 picked up before taxes.