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

[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.

[dukeofchen]

FYI just ordered this unit advertised as NRF from eBay.

For the price, worth it for a flier.

[D-O]

Update:

Two track days on top of regular use and the Koyo is still going strong. Zero problems.

[Obioban]

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.

FYI just ordered this unit advertised as NRF from eBay.

For the price, worth it for a flier.

I love these as back to back posts.

Update:

Two track days on top of regular use and the Koyo is still going strong. Zero problems.

Summer is coming :P

[dukeofchen]

I love these as back to back posts.

Based on what I've gathered from others here Modine is now NRF, and purchasing an OE gets you the same revised NRF unit. So unless that's incorrect, finding an old stock or going used would seem to be the only ways to get the original design.

Either way, time will tell whether I'm in for the same headache getting it installed, but I figure it'll be better than the crusty old one I have in there. As you said, summer is coming and the couple days of 90F+ we had over the weekend already saw my temp gauge creeping up again.

[D-O]

I love these as back to back posts.



Summer is coming :P

Indeed. Summer in Atlanta, no less. I have track day scheduled at Road Atlanta in June. I will report back on how it goes.

[Ricky_Mac35]

I've been having the same looking splatter ever since I replaced my original water pump with a Geba water pump / and oem gasket. Should I maybe replace the new water pump with a bmw one or just re check the fitment?

[0-60motorsports]

Y'all getting a bit worried about summers in Atlanta etc always makes me laugh..... Come to Bahrain....125f and up to100% humidity to drown you too. Yipppeeee

[chris719]

Based on what I've gathered from others here Modine is now NRF, and purchasing an OE gets you the same revised NRF unit. So unless that's incorrect, finding an old stock or going used would seem to be the only ways to get the original design.

Either way, time will tell whether I'm in for the same headache getting it installed, but I figure it'll be better than the crusty old one I have in there. As you said, summer is coming and the couple days of 90F+ we had over the weekend already saw my temp gauge creeping up again.

I just bought a genuine Z4M rad and it was still Modine identical to the 2006 part it replaced.

[D-O]

Y'all getting a bit worried about summers in Atlanta etc always makes me laugh..... Come to Bahrain....125f and up to100% humidity to drown you too. Yipppeeee

Touche

[bigjae46]

Y'all getting a bit worried about summers in Atlanta etc always makes me laugh..... Come to Bahrain....125f and up to100% humidity to drown you too. Yipppeeee

Yeah, I thought 140 degrees and dry in Baghdad was bad. Those Persian Gulf countries are on a whole other level.

[0-60motorsports]

Yeah, I thought 140 degrees and dry in Baghdad was bad. Those Persian Gulf countries are on a whole other level.

Yes, so that temp you will not feel as bad because dry heat, my friends who come to visit from Kuwait are always dying here and it's hilarious. Nasty humidity has already been activated bro hahahaha

Also keep in mind Bahrain is the smallest in the region and tightly packed infrastructure and AC heat and vehicle heat etc etc all effect the cars performance and heat range.

[Obioban]

Y'all getting a bit worried about summers in Atlanta etc always makes me laugh..... Come to Bahrain....125f and up to100% humidity to drown you too. Yipppeeee

Yeah, I thought 140 degrees and dry in Baghdad was bad. Those Persian Gulf countries are on a whole other level.

I think I might move. That sounds unpleasant