Water Pump Brand Conversation

[PurelliCondoms]

As Jake alluded to, the metal impeller pumps don’t flow as well as the stock pump. The aftermarket pumps are also a quality crapshoot. The BMW pump has a really nice composite impeller that isn’t usually a failure mode like the other E46 pumps. Unfortunately there’s no OE pump available not BMW branded. I just paid more than that for my Z4M water pump. The impeller was perfect but the bearing not so much, just like yours. For me the BMW pump was an easy choice because my time is worth more than having to do the job twice because of a cheap pump. Buy once cry once and it’ll probably last 100k.

Has anyone looked into the possibility of have seals and bearing manufactured to overhaul your existing unit as opposed to Just dropping $450 on a pump every year for a track car?

[JakeM346]

Has anyone looked into the possibility of have seals and bearing manufactured to overhaul your existing unit as opposed to Just dropping $450 on a pump every year for a track car?

The important parts of the pump are not the seals and bearings but the plastic rotor which you’ll not be able no remove without damage. And you don’t need to spend 450$ every year but every 3 will be fine (seals and bearings are standard parts which you can source through schaeffler and others)

[Obioban]

This is a case where genuine OE is the only valid options.

Metal impellers flow significantly worse and are harder on bearings.

Get them while you still can. On other, similar age platforms, they seem to be moving production to China and ruining them.

[ZHLPR]

The Saleri unit I got from FCP showed signs of premature failure before installing lol, sent that junk back

[Loopyspec]

Do you guys recommend OE BMW gaskets/ O rings as well?

[Slideways]

As Jake alluded to, the metal impeller pumps don’t flow as well as the stock pump. The aftermarket pumps are also a quality crapshoot. The BMW pump has a really nice composite impeller that isn’t usually a failure mode like the other E46 pumps. Unfortunately there’s no OE pump available not BMW branded. I just paid more than that for my Z4M water pump. The impeller was perfect but the bearing not so much, just like yours. For me the BMW pump was an easy choice because my time is worth more than having to do the job twice because of a cheap pump. Buy once cry once and it’ll probably last 100k.

There is probably a good chance BMW discontinues the Z4M water pump before the E46 M3 pump. I suggested to another Z4M owner that you could probably use the E46 M3 water pump and tap and plug the hole for the pipe that goes to the coolant reservoir since the reservoir is located on the other side of the engine bay on the Z4M.

[George Hill]

Do you guys recommend OE BMW gaskets/ O rings as well?

I do, the price delta is so small, why risk it?

I'm replacing a water pump today, likely original and with 160k. We are just doing it as preventative while the radiator and thermostat are out.

[Obioban]

This thread is making me want to use my FCP free water pump ability and do a swap, even though my current pump is only 70,000 miles old. Seeing other BMW water pumps turn to unreliable shit as they move production to China has me on edge to think about.

[bmwfnatic]

This thread is making me want to use my FCP free water pump ability and do a swap, even though my current pump is only 70,000 miles old. Seeing other BMW water pumps turn to unreliable shit as they move production to China has me on edge to think about.

BMW Germany has 361 water pumps in stock, who knows who will make them once they run out…

[nahvkolaj]

This thread is making me want to use my FCP free water pump ability and do a swap, even though my current pump is only 70,000 miles old. Seeing other BMW water pumps turn to unreliable shit as they move production to China has me on edge to think about.

Im considering buying one to throw in the parts cabinet. I'll check my new Saleri in 10k, probably find some play again, then swap the genuine part in.

It's like window regulators (and I'm sure a ton of other parts). Once I finally put a genuine part in my E53, zero problems.

[maupineda]

BMW Germany has 361 water pumps in stock, who knows who will make them once they run out…

Would you check the Z4M availability for me? Mine is fine at 55k, but may want to buy one for the future

[stephen]

Would you check the Z4M availability for me? Mine is fine at 55k, but may want to buy one for the future

Looks like 13 in country, 84 in Germany.

[bigjae46]

Genuine BMW water pumps have a limited lifetime warranty. Dealer should have the details. Might have to make them do some research but it is a BMW North America program to support their parts rebuild program.

[fattycharged]

Genuine BMW water pumps have a limited lifetime warranty. Dealer should have the details. Might have to make them do some research but it is a BMW North America program to support their parts rebuild program.

Jae I've heard you mention this before for other parts as well. Is there a list somewhere we could reference? Should I assume you need them to complete the labor to utilize the warranty?

*quick google search answered my Q...

[Slideways]

Genuine BMW water pumps have a limited lifetime warranty. Dealer should have the details. Might have to make them do some research but it is a BMW North America program to support their parts rebuild program.

Just read the part in bold:

This warranty does not apply to:

• Damage resulting from negligence, improper installation or lack
  of maintenance, flood, accident, or fire
• Damages resulting from modifications that alter the original
  engineering or operating specifications of the vehicle or part.
• Failure due to external influences
• Requests for warranty coverage by any person other than the original purchaser.
• Parts sold over-the-counter or wholesale and not installed by an authorized BMW center.
• If the vehicle in which the covered part is installed is used in competitive driving or racing.

The one I installed a while back would have qualified if it was not DIYed