Cooling system refresh

[Cronenberged]

Thank you. Do you know why the Nissens was not liked?

the thread should help, I think it’s hit or miss, but I went OE.
And Modine is no longer making passenger vehicle radiators, sad because their stuff was really good.

[PSUEng]

Litchfield do supply OE like for like oil cooler with an improved design. You can also get them from Radtec who makes the oil coolers for Litchfield.

I have a CSF oil cooler that fits onto the OEM lines, still gets up to over 100°C on hard spirit driving days but cools down slightly quicker than OEM.

Nissan or NRF is your best bet for radiators off Autodoc. NRF used to make E46 oil coolers from BMW.

Do you have experience with the Radtec oil cooler? Per their site, it's a fraction of the cost of Genuine or C&R (which I was looking at) and "manufactured [in] Staffordshire". However, they don't give performance specs that I see. Also interesting offering they have in the EVO Radiator.

[PSUEng]

I heard the Bimmerworld C&R coolers have had issues. Maybe Zionville, PWR (I think they own C&R), or CSF are alternatives.

What have you heard about the C&R? I recall a thread where a member purchased and didn't see the claims BW made on performance/weight, or something like that. At $1150, with BW and PWR names on it, I'd expect it's a solid performer. But, we all know how this can go these days. I'm considering one, hence my question. But this Radtec is cheap, and might be a good replacement option.

[bigjae46]

What have you heard about the C&R? I recall a thread where a member purchased and didn't see the claims BW made on performance/weight, or something like that. At $1150, with BW and PWR names on it, I'd expect it's a solid performer. But, we all know how this can go these days. I'm considering one, hence my question. But this Radtec is cheap, and might be a good replacement option.

There were a couple of issues with leaks from the end tanks or something. Not sure if it was a batch issue or something else.

[ac427]

I have ordered the NRF radiator mostly because it is what you would receive from BMW anyway but it is about a third of the price.

For the oil cooler i went for a Do88 cooler because it is a direct swap for the OEM oil cooler and a lot more efficient. It is also around the same price as the OEM oil cooler. The CSF equivalent didn't seem that different but was more expensive.

What has surprised me is the price of the oil cooler pipes from BMW. Do these lines need to be replaced?

I heard that they can be a bit corroded where the pipes meet the cooler?

Can the oil cooler be replaced without draining the engine oil?

[Portlandgrey]

Litchfield do supply OE like for like oil cooler with an improved design. You can also get them from Radtec who makes the oil coolers for Litchfield.

I have a CSF oil cooler that fits onto the OEM lines, still gets up to over 100°C on hard spirit driving days but cools down slightly quicker than OEM.

Nissan or NRF is your best bet for radiators off Autodoc. NRF used to make E46 oil coolers from BMW.

I fitted the Litchfield cooler to my CSL, no issues and the oil temps seem to run a little lower, Litchfield is cheaper than Radtec for the cooler. Check if the OEM oil pipes are now available, they weren't when i did mine, so i had to make up an an-10 set.

[jayjaya29]

It doesnt matter if you drain the oil or not, the cooler is always going to be full of oil.

[ac427]

I fitted the Litchfield cooler to my CSL, no issues and the oil temps seem to run a little lower, Litchfield is cheaper than Radtec for the cooler. Check if the OEM oil pipes are now available, they weren't when i did mine, so i had to make up an an-10 set.

The OEM oil cooler pipes are available again at around £280.

Do they always need to be changed or can the end that goes into the oil cooler be cleaned up?

[Portlandgrey]

The OEM oil cooler pipes are available again at around £280.

Do they always need to be changed or can the end that goes into the oil cooler be cleaned up?

You may be able to reuse the existing ones. It depends if you are able to separate them from the cooler ( they are likely to be seized). Remember they will be 20+ years old too - mine had corroded and split at the crimps.

[Larky7]

Do you have experience with the Radtec oil cooler? Per their site, it's a fraction of the cost of Genuine or C&R (which I was looking at) and "manufactured [in] Staffordshire". However, they don't give performance specs that I see. Also interesting offering they have in the EVO Radiator.

I don’t personally, but it was one of the top 3 that came highly recommended by garages and other M3 owners.

Cheaper, more efficient and very well made with OEM fitment.

Radtec make and supply parts for Koenigsegg. If it is good for Koenigsegg, it’s perfectly fine for our trusty 20 year old plus slow E46 lol.

[Larky7]

I have ordered the NRF radiator mostly because it is what you would receive from BMW anyway but it is about a third of the price.

For the oil cooler i went for a Do88 cooler because it is a direct swap for the OEM oil cooler and a lot more efficient. It is also around the same price as the OEM oil cooler. The CSF equivalent didn't seem that different but was more expensive.

What has surprised me is the price of the oil cooler pipes from BMW. Do these lines need to be replaced?

I heard that they can be a bit corroded where the pipes meet the cooler?

Can the oil cooler be replaced without draining the engine oil?

You can replace the oil cooler without draining the engine oil. I did mine on the drive way with no problems, make sure you put something down on the ground to prevent oil stains.

I only went for the CSF as someone was selling one for less than half the price of a new OEM oil cooler. It does a good job.


My oil cooler lines were severely corroded, seized and split. Frankly, eight out of ten E46M3’s will experience this. I bought used OEM lines that were less than 12 months old - cooler lines were on back order then.

[PSUEng]

The OEM oil cooler pipes are available again at around £280.

Do they always need to be changed or can the end that goes into the oil cooler be cleaned up?

Were these unavailable for a period?

[Laminads]

I have ordered the NRF radiator mostly because it is what you would receive from BMW anyway but it is about a third of the price.

is it confirmed that NRF is now the OEM for the genuine radiator? I was considering shelling out for the genuine part but if NRF is really going to be the same thing i’d rather save the $400

[ac427]

You may be able to reuse the existing ones. It depends if you are able to separate them from the cooler ( they are likely to be seized). Remember they will be 20+ years old too - mine had corroded and split at the crimps.

Thank you. Have you replaced your radiator?

I was thinking because it is shielded by the condenser thst it might be ok or at least could be cleaned?

[ac427]

is it confirmed that NRF is now the OEM for the genuine radiator? I was considering shelling out for the genuine part but if NRF is really going to be the same thing i’d rather save the $400

NRF own Modine or Modine own them. Either way Modine were the OEM manufacturers of the radiator.

Apparently, the fins are made of a softer metal but if you order a BMW radiator you will get the NRF part

Hopefully my radiator and other bits will turn up soon. I'll take some photographs.