M42 Radiator in 87 325i?

[RobertK]

I'm about to swap my M50 in this weekend and I need to choose between the 88+ E30 radiator and the M42 radiator. I would rather go with the M42 radiator cause it has the integrated coolant tank but I wanted to check and see if anyone has had any experience using one in an 87 E30 325i?

[JGood]

I just picked one up to put in my 85. Looks like it's going to fit great. It has rubber feet on the sides, but I'm probably just going to use my stock rubber lower rad supports, I just need to space them up about 1/2". Then you just slide on the plastic upper support bracket and you're done.

The hoses are tricky, but it looks to me like you can just trim down the m50 hoses and be good (it worked for the upper, I haven't tried the lower yet). It's a little hard to slide the hoses over the nipples when you cut off the flared ends, but if you throw a little oil on them, they will go on.

[1990m3]

The hoses are tricky, but it looks to me like you can just trim down the m50 hoses and be good (it worked for the upper, I haven't tried the lower yet). It's a little hard to slide the hoses over the nipples when you cut off the flared ends, but if you throw a little oil on them, they will go on.

True, sliding the cut hoses over the radiator tubes is the hardest part. I used a heat gun to soften the hose and then slide it on. It's been on for over a year now on this radiator with no ill effects. Eventually I'll piece together a samco kit with an aluminum coupler for a better fit.

[FredK]

Here's a post I made last year about the upper hose:

I used a Drive-Rite C70115 hose I got from Advance Auto. It has a 1.5" ID on both ends, and slips without using superhuman hand strength.

I did have to cut it down a bit though. Fits pretty well! The right angle bend has little to no stress on it, so the ID isn't compromised in any way.

[RobertK]

Great info guys! Thank you!

[mattdk318i]

Right now im using the M42 with my S52 robert. It looks pretty good. And clean