Non-M Aluminum Radiator - frustrating search

This is too good to be true for direct drop in. Full aluminum radiator for $145. Would someone please verify. thanks


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FULL-...Q5fAccessories

Originally Posted by MaverickM3

To the guys that own the zionsville radiator on non-M. how do you like it? Is there a noticeable difference in temps?

+1
but I can't actually recall someone talking about owning one for a non-M....

Faelar- are you aware of yours making a difference in temps?

Originally Posted by McSpeed

+1
but I can't actually recall someone talking about owning one for a non-M....

Faelar- are you aware of yours making a difference in temps?

I own one for my turbo non m 323i it is by far the most beautiful radiator set up i have ever seen the welds are perfect! Same goes for the fan fitment to the radiator, the relay harness for the fan switch can be mounted out of the way it is obviously from a race team that only makes to order and they are flawless, now i am waiting for my new injectors asi am going e85 so my 660 are worthless now, so they have only started the car to make sure the rad. works they said it takes 3 times as long to warm the car up now.

if i was to venture a guess this new rad. will keep temps even on extremely hot days way down! Now i went a step further i also got the stewart hp water pump, and the stett hoses, and a lower temp thermostat with housing from zionnsville also so i would have to say my cooling system is bullet proof! Now don't get me wrong i did spend a pretty penny, but the piece of mind i have now is well worth it! I just think this answer is not for everyone, as not everyone wants to spend that much money or really needs to!

Originally Posted by aznblood

This is too good to be true for direct drop in. Full aluminum radiator for $145. Would someone please verify. thanks


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FULL-...Q5fAccessories

I just got off the phone with a tech person with "Speed Daddy", a California company who is listing this unusually cheap radiator ($131.99? vs. Mizu's $400+ price) and asked him to post some customer recommendations on this forum. In addition, it would be great if a forum member who lives near this company would go check them out.

We will see.
Jim

Originally Posted by aznblood

This is too good to be true for direct drop in. Full aluminum radiator for $145. Would someone please verify. thanks


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FULL-...Q5fAccessories

That is an M3 radiator. Guaranteed. Compare it to the OEM M3 radiator and any aftermarket M3 radiator, including Mishimoto's. The side tanks are uncanny.

Yes, the company claims it fits '99-'07. So does Mishimoto. So do other companies. It doesn't.

I should know.

I just finish installing my brand new ALUMINIUM RADIATOR. I do admit it looks great . I pretty sure it will keep your temp down ever for us in the SE .
But for all who have in mind one of these EBAY ALUMINIUM RADIATOR as you all know it can range from $118 to $149 making this very tempted to purchase, just DON'T DO IT ...
It just don't fit.
Even though I knew it was said it would not fit I still went ahead and purchase one.
If you are willing to cut the hose and redo them. If you are willing to spend another $200 on a set of good quality fans them go ahead and do so..

What aluminum radiator food you replace with? Did misnomers ever producean aluminum radiator?

So it appears there is no mention of anyone's experience with the non-M aluminum radiator from Mishimoto that was eventually released. Has anyone installed this piece As seen on eBay? It appears to have a drain plug where the original M version did not. Maybe this one will work for us? Let us know

It says it fits Ms and non-Ms...which brings us to the original issue.

I'd just stick with OEM. You can get a radiator from Pelican for $130. It is a relatively easy DIY. The hard part is disconnecting the plastic hoses and expansion tank. If you replace those as well then the DIY should be much simpler.

I bought one of these radiators for my 330ci.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/98-06-BMW-E4...ht_3866wt_1217

I had to cut-off all the taps that are welded to each side of the radiator. After that, I had to cut-off 2mm from the upper radiator hose outlet. The radiator fits fine and works great. For users who do purchase one and have questions. Please do pm me and I can answer them for you.

Pics?

I'm skeptical...$128 for an all aluminum radiator that is likely a low production run? If I've learned one thing from buying and installing aftermarket parts (especially on ebay) is that there is no free lunch. Its likely cheaper than OEM for a reason.

But credit is due to taking the leap...you've piqued my curiosity.

I have used many ebay aluminum radiators for years and never had issues with them. Even though they were mainly used in all my Honda's in the past and one in my dad's toyota tundra. They all held up great and the radiator in my dad's tundra is going to be 5 years old soon. My honda HPED civic has a ebay full aluminum radiator with no issues at all either. I had more issue with radiators from autozone and cskauto from leaky end tanks after 20k miles. Im not saying the ebay radiators are are bulletproof but they have worked great so far from my own personal experience. When I bought my 330ci my radiator was leaking from the end caps and I took the risk with the ebay radiator. I havent post on the forum about the radiator because I was waiting until I reached the one month mark. At least this way we know how well it holds up.

There a few things I do need to mention:
The expansion tank holder does not work with this radiator. Therefore it is held in place with zip ties right now until I build a new mount.
The fan does not fit behind the radiator due to the larger core, so it has to be move to the front.
I had use plumbers tape to hold the upper radiator to the frame and the same for the bottom.

Its a great value if you guys dont mind the little modifications to make things work.

Here are some pictures of the radiator.

No offense but it doesn't seem worth it. You can get a new Behr radiator from Pelican Parts for $150 and some other better fitting aftermarket ones for a little less.

Glad you got it to work. I think non-M's still don't have too many all aluminum radiator options.

None taken. It wasn't frustrating to get everything to work. As long as it wasn't much work to me then is ok.

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Bimmer

seems a company "blackworks racing" makes a aluminum radiator for the e46.. jus m3 or for nonM too?? anybody heard, seen, tried, or experienced these??

its priced at $250..

Originally Posted by clt330ci

seems a company "blackworks racing" makes a aluminum radiator for the e46.. jus m3 or for nonM too?? anybody heard, seen, tried, or experienced these??

its priced at $250..

sweet find. I think this is a brand-new offering

Originally Posted by bluejeansonfire

sweet find. I think this is a brand-new offering

I found several other radiators of this brand on Horsepower Freaks' website, but unfortunately, they didn't seem to carry the one specific to our cars. I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say about it as well!

I saw this thread and just wrote Blackworks. Here is the response on the non-M radiator....IN THE WORKS!

BW:
Hello, thank you for your Email and concern on this Radiator. However this radiator will not fit your 330i this is for the M3. I am working on one for the 330i and hopefully will have it released in the next few months, over the years i have seen alot more interest in consumers for the 330i. again thank you for your Email and my apologize on the lack of info on our site its been along work in progress i will have that changed.

ME:
Nick, looking at the e46 forums if you come up with a design that will fit you should get more than a few buyers....especially if you can keep the price under $300. Please let me know when you come out with this product...I'll be the first in line to purchase and spread the word.
Thanks

BW:
Thanks for your reply ken it will be in the same price range as the M3 rad ($250). i will keep you posted when i have them ready.

Originally Posted by signalwest

I saw this thread and just wrote Blackworks. Here is the response on the non-M radiator....IN THE WORKS!

BW:
Hello, thank you for your Email and concern on this Radiator. However this radiator will not fit your 330i this is for the M3. I am working on one for the 330i and hopefully will have it released in the next few months, over the years i have seen alot more interest in consumers for the 330i. again thank you for your Email and my apologize on the lack of info on our site its been along work in progress i will have that changed.

ME:
Nick, looking at the e46 forums if you come up with a design that will fit you should get more than a few buyers....especially if you can keep the price under $300. Please let me know when you come out with this product...I'll be the first in line to purchase and spread the word.
Thanks

BW:
Thanks for your reply ken it will be in the same price range as the M3 rad ($250). i will keep you posted when i have them ready.

Sounds great
You should mention that 330=328=325=323=320=318=316 radiator