I purchased a Mishimoto Z3M radiator (MMRAD-CON-99X) on 2/13/2012. I bought it because it came with a lifetime warranty policy.
On 6/13/2013, it began leaking. I contacted Mishimoto via their website warranty claim form, and obtained a replacement. Paid $25 to have the replacement shipped to me. It was identical to the old one, and worked great.
On 9/17/2014, that replacement radiator began leaking. I contacted Mishimoto, paid $30 for shipping, and received another replacement. It did not fit. The overflow nipple design was changed and there was not enough room to install a hose. I contacted Mishimoto and they sent me a replacement for free. I received the replacement and it had the same issue. There was a design change, and there is no longer enough room to install a hose on the nipple, rendering the radiator useless.
I sent pictures and a description of the problem to Mishimoto, and they checked their inventory in the warehouse, and found that all of them were like that. They spent some time trying to come up with a solution (there is none, other then reverting back to the original design). This went on for a few weeks.
Fast forward to now. I asked for a refund. They are refusing to give me one. They are unable to fulfill their end of the warranty agreement. They have offered me a store credit, which does me no good, because I can't use the radiator that I need for this application. They even had the nerve to offer me a free e36 radiator (the cheaper, smaller two core that they offer). Great, a downgrade, thanks so much! I'd obviously go for the stock Z3M radiator over that option, for 1/2 the price, thicker core, and likely longer lifespan.
Here is a pic showing the change. Old radiator on top, new on bottom. Look at where the arrow is pointing. On the old one, there is a 1/8" gap. On the new one, the gap has been reduced to 1/16". You cannot fit a hose and clamp in that small space. I know because I tried.
Another set of pics demonstrating the lack of space. The small screwdriver fits between the nipple and end tank of the old rad, but isn't even close to fitting on the new one.
OLD RAD:
NEW RAD
On 6/13/2013, it began leaking. I contacted Mishimoto via their website warranty claim form, and obtained a replacement. Paid $25 to have the replacement shipped to me. It was identical to the old one, and worked great.
On 9/17/2014, that replacement radiator began leaking. I contacted Mishimoto, paid $30 for shipping, and received another replacement. It did not fit. The overflow nipple design was changed and there was not enough room to install a hose. I contacted Mishimoto and they sent me a replacement for free. I received the replacement and it had the same issue. There was a design change, and there is no longer enough room to install a hose on the nipple, rendering the radiator useless.
I sent pictures and a description of the problem to Mishimoto, and they checked their inventory in the warehouse, and found that all of them were like that. They spent some time trying to come up with a solution (there is none, other then reverting back to the original design). This went on for a few weeks.
Fast forward to now. I asked for a refund. They are refusing to give me one. They are unable to fulfill their end of the warranty agreement. They have offered me a store credit, which does me no good, because I can't use the radiator that I need for this application. They even had the nerve to offer me a free e36 radiator (the cheaper, smaller two core that they offer). Great, a downgrade, thanks so much! I'd obviously go for the stock Z3M radiator over that option, for 1/2 the price, thicker core, and likely longer lifespan.
Here is a pic showing the change. Old radiator on top, new on bottom. Look at where the arrow is pointing. On the old one, there is a 1/8" gap. On the new one, the gap has been reduced to 1/16". You cannot fit a hose and clamp in that small space. I know because I tried.
Another set of pics demonstrating the lack of space. The small screwdriver fits between the nipple and end tank of the old rad, but isn't even close to fitting on the new one.
OLD RAD:
NEW RAD
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