Does anybody have experience or comments on aftermarket all-aluminum performance rads, eg Mishimoto or ECS, in terms of ease of installation and reliability?
Most of the lower cost all alloy radiators have cores that are epoxied to end tank upright, then the welded tanks are attached (by welding). These epoxied joints can be susceptible to failure.
This does not mean that the $100 eBay full alloy radiator will fail, but you will have to keep an eye on it.
The more expensive alloy radiators are fully brazed/welded, including the core to upright joints.
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 09-22-2020 at 11:58 AM.
Mishimoto claims its radiators are epoxy free.
Moved from E36 forum to E36 M3 forum
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
I’ve had a Mishimoto for about 3 years now and it’s been good, easy install but not the easiest to bleed.
98 M3 sedan
I'm running a Mishimoto X-Line radiator. Tubes are brazed to the endplates and the endtanks are TIG welded.
I have a ECS one I removed from my car when I purchased it . Basically brand new. Stock fan shroud needs to be modded for it to fit properly.
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
― George Orwell
Yes, the OEM fan shroud and expansion tank fits with one caveat. The expansion tank hose no longer fits between the radiator and OEM fan shroud. At least, my URO and REIN aftermarket expansion tank hoses didn't fit. I ended up cutting a hole in the fan shroud so the hose could squeeze under the alternator ducting. The expansion tank hose can be used but it is stretched a little, so I used some rubber hose from the parts store.
Last edited by MINIz guy; 09-21-2020 at 09:09 AM.
I don’t understand why you guys buy these cheapo radiators (Crapimoto, CSF, etc) and then hack up ducting to make it work. It looks terrible. The OE options are fantastic and if that isn't enough, the high end (Zionsville, etc) are great. All of these inbetween offerings just cheapen your car, not to mention the dubious claims of performance or reliability.
Last edited by Braymond141; 09-21-2020 at 12:56 PM.
If I recall correctly Mishimoto radiators are made in China, their made up Japanese sounding name is a marketing ploy...
Estoril/Modena '97 M3...sold for the second time.
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You only live once, and I'm running out of time...
Why-does-my-radiator-keep-leaking
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lol yup. I'm about to be on my 6th Mishimoto rad. They've all leaked from where the tubes meet the end tanks, going back to OEM Behr. On the plus side I can swap radiators super fast now!
This forum is always a source of amusement. "The cooling system is the weak point on these cars, but don't use anything but OEM!" I must concede, however, aftermarket support for the e36 is crap.
Tom
Currently 1995 M3 manual coupe, 1993 325is
Past cars
2003 530i
1998 528i
1995 530i
1988 528e
1988 535i
1987 2.7i
1972 2002
Yeah I mean there's nothing wrong with the OEM Behr radiator. I replaced the original one when the car was around 12-13 years old when the neck cracked as they do, but no issues with the replacement. My car is tracked and zero overheating issues there. If I was doing it again I might go for the Z3M rad, but I have no desire to try any aftermarket stuff.
1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy
Weird, maybe I just got lucky but I’ve never had leaks with the mishimoto and I’m on year 5.
98 M3 sedan
My understanding of the Z3M radiator is that the Z3 M radiator actually has less frontal surface area to accomplish cooling and in the Z3 that is offset by the addition of an oil cooler.
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 09-23-2020 at 12:45 AM.
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