What radiator should I buy?

[Dalejandrino]

Hey r3v,

So I need to replace my radiator, and I don't know whether I should go with a factory or aftermarket radiator. I'm sure the majority of you would say OEM, but if any of you know of a radiator that performs better I would appreciate it if you pointed me in the right direction. I have a 1987 325is btw.

I found this radiator on the ireland engineering website:

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E30-cooling/e30alumradstreet.html

(If I got this I would probably do a late model cooling system conversion)
And another I think it's the same as stock though...

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E30-cooling/e30rad87.html

[jlevie]

For a street car, the OE/OEM radiator is fine.

[dnguyen1963]

I have CX Racing in my car. All aluminum and works great.

http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CXR&Product_Code=RAD-BMW-E30&Category_Code=RDBM

[digger]

A Behr one is fine, i used my car in 115F last summer with no issues with an engine that puts out more heat than stock

[Dalejandrino]

I have CX Racing in my car. All aluminum and works great.

http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant...gory_Code=RDBM

If i we're to install this would I have to get a new fan and hoses?

[dnguyen1963]

No, it is a direct replacement of OEM radiator.

[Dalejandrino]

No, it is a direct replacement of OEM radiator.

But the holes look like their in different spots than oem. I have an early model.

[s14pwd]

The issue with the OEM or Behr rad is the plastic end caps tend to leak or crack over time. This may not seem like a big deal until they just let go and somehow the coolant works its way to the tires... (Which BTW happened to me)

OP I would say go with an all aluminum rad just for that.

[s14pwd]

The issue with the OEM or Behr rad is the plastic end caps tend to leak or crack over time. This may not seem like a big deal until they just let go and somehow the coolant works its way to the tires... (Which BTW happened to me)

OP I would say go with an all aluminum rad just for that.

[dnguyen1963]

But the holes look like their in different spots than oem. I have an early model.

CX Racing rad is for '88 and later model, I think.

[Dalejandrino]

The issue with the OEM or Behr rad is the plastic end caps tend to leak or crack over time. This may not seem like a big deal until they just let go and somehow the coolant works its way to the tires... (Which BTW happened to me)

OP I would say go with an all aluminum rad just for that.

Do you know where I can find an all aluminum radiator?

[jlevie]

The issue with the OEM or Behr rad is the plastic end caps tend to leak or crack over time. This may not seem like a big deal until they just let go and somehow the coolant works its way to the tires... (Which BTW happened to me)

Well yeah, this being true for every modern radiator that isn't all aluminum or all brass. But if replaced on schedule (every 10yr/100k) along with the water pump, expansion tank, cap, fan clutch, thermostat, and all hoses the chances of a failure are remote. Assuming there aren't head gasket problems and over pressure conditions.