Ahh.. F'n radiators.

[loonibab325i]

So my radiator has a crack in it.. I realize this AFTER I finally put radiator fluid in the car.. Anyway, I called 1800 radiator and I got a price quote for an e30 318is radiator and a e36 m3 one, my question is.. what is the best radiator to buy?

The e30 one costs 184, and the e36 m3 one costs 187.. Basically the $ isn't the option, I would like to know which is the best route though.

Thanks,

-Abe.

[FredK]

If your donor car is a 325i, get a E30 325i or E36 325i/M3/328i radiator, since you'll already have an expansion tank separate from the radiator.

I bought my radiator from radiator-ac-imports on Ebay. The Behr radiator came double boxed and very securely packed, and was $136 shipped.

[Roadsterd]

Where is yours cracked? I have an extra 318 radiator in the garage that just needs a new expansion tank (~$20).

[loonibab325i]

well, I wouldn't want the 325 one because the car is a 318is and i would like to have the overflow on the radiator to make things cleaner.

What fan setups are you running? And what is your opinion on what I should do? IE, radiator and fan setup?

-Abe.

[FredK]

Ah, I didn't see that you have a 318is. The 318is radiator can be had for around $139 from the same seller, including expansion tank. People that run the smaller radiator haven't really complained about having overheating problems, even though some of them live in hot climates.

[golde30]

buy it on ebay, waay cheaper. also, what the hell is "radiator fluid"...LOL

[So Live]

lol. You know my set up :)

[loonibab325i]

buy it on ebay, waay cheaper. also, what the hell is "radiator fluid"...LOL

HAHA. wow.. i got pwnd.. *coolant.

[loonibab325i]

Ah, I didn't see that you have a 318is. The 318is radiator can be had for around $139 from the same seller, including expansion tank. People that run the smaller radiator haven't really complained about having overheating problems, even though some of them live in hot climates.

i tried searching, couldn't find it.. can you link me?

-Abe.

nvm: I found this, will this do?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-BMW-Radiator-BEHR-E30-E36-318i-318is-318ti-91-92-99_W0QQitemZ350044228364QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350044228364#ebayphotohosting

[318isbmw]

I'd go regular 318 radiator. W/ the lower temp thermostat my m50 sits right by the first of the 3 marks in the middle of the temp gauge.

[MR 325]

I've got the 318is radiator and a 16" Spal fan on the front. I barely even need the fan! I'm thinking of swapping to a lower temp thermostat though just to keep it even cooler.

[Roadsterd]

i tried searching, couldn't find it.. can you link me?

-Abe.

nvm: I found this, will this do?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-B...ayphotohosting

Just bought that same one two weeks ago... fast shipping and works as it should.

I've got the 318is radiator and a 16" Spal fan on the front. I barely even need the fan! I'm thinking of swapping to a lower temp thermostat though just to keep it even cooler.

No a/c, right?

[Mtriple]

Ireland radiator and 16 inch spal pusher. Nice to have the extra cooling capacity especially if you're going to track it down in your region.

[B3M2W5]

I went with the E36 M3 rad.
Altho i believe you might have fan issues if you run the normal engine fan. I went with a fan delete.
I still have yet to install an aux fan but i havent even had issues with it yet. Still doesnt even get upto temp stays first line to the left.
I plan on going an aux fan and running water wetter for the summer tho.

[e30_kid89]

MR 325, you used a 16" fan on yours? I put on a 14" on my m42 rad and it covered the whole thing!

To the OP, if you use the m42 rad, lower temp T-stat, electric fan and some water wetter you should be golden.