Best Radiator option?

[sharky]

OK so the S52 is here and I am starting to get a good grocery list together. It is going in a 87is. What are my radiator options? I am definetly doing a fan delete and also running the lower therostat. I would like to get something with great cooling and very reliable as well as fitting very good. Any options, opinions?

[SpecM]

stock radiator from an 88-91 e30 works well

[StereoInstaller1]

I am gonna do the M42 car radiator, as I like the integrated coolant tank.

[sharky]

Any good aluminum ones? How is the S54 Mcoupe one? Looking for something stout.

[bostonbmw]

A MZ3 radiator is thicker and supposedly mounts in the stock location and is about $10 more than a stock E30 radiator.

[SamE30e]

I am gonna do the M42 car radiator, as I like the integrated coolant tank.

Except when they leak.

[MDryVur]

Except when they leak.

+1

i was just thinking that

[whiltebeitel]

A MZ3 radiator is thicker and supposedly mounts in the stock location and is about $10 more than a stock E30 radiator.

I have one. They are as deep as the endtanks, unlike the stock 88-91, which is about 2/3rds the depth of the endtanks.

[PiercedE30]

'00+ MZ3 (with S54)
Triple core, thicker, provisions for the Euro S50 oil cooler at the bottom.

[sharky]

This will fit a early chassis?

[SpecM]

^ yes

[Van Westervelt]

Go with an all aluminum like a PWR e36 m3 rad, drops right in. No plastic to worry about. I went the all alum route.

[JGood]

I love my m42 radiator. Brand new, $130 shipped. Cleans up the engine bay so much. More room for an airbox :)

[s14driver]

it is better to have bigger cooler, just in case of engine torture(///M:D), thus, it is better to have the radiator without integrated expansion tank(and they are more prone to failure).
I think that the 1.8is cooler is too small for that application.

there are some radiators for tropical climate, it is shown on the picture below. it is deeper and and has the same mounting position, so you can mount it in few minutes;)


best option is probably original radiator for S52

[JGood]

thus, it is better to have the radiator without integrated expansion tank(and they are more prone to failure).

I think that the 1.8is cooler is too small for that application.

I've never heard of issues regarding the integrated tank. I have broke 3 m20 reservoirs trying to pull the lower hose off of them though. I don't think either is necessarily a more reliable option.

I've never had any trouble with overheating my m50. I can leave it idle all day in 90 degree heat, with only a 12" pep boys fan cooling it, no problems. Maybe s52's get hotter or something, I don't know...