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uscharalph
06-28-2005, 03:19 PM
I'm going to replace my (original?) radiator. My BMW has an automatic tranmission. From what I can tell it requires a differnt radiator than the manual transmission; right? Has any one had any good / bad experience with the Nissens from Denmark? Should I pay more for the Behr? Are ther any other (Possibly better?) brands I'm overlooking.
PeteAB
06-28-2005, 04:01 PM
The R&R is straight forward, however, working with coolant is always messy as we try to minimize spilling any due to environmental concerns.
Good luck with it...

Pete
'95 525iT 116K miles
Cambridge
06-28-2005, 04:16 PM
The Nissens are a few dollars more than the Behr. Although either should work fine, I decided to give the Nissens a try since they seem to be a bit beefier around the hose connections. Has worked well so far.

On my 95 540i automatic there was no special piping to link in the transmission.
Kalevera
06-28-2005, 06:51 PM
The Nissens are a few dollars more than the Behr. Although either should work fine, I decided to give the Nissens a try since they seem to be a bit beefier around the hose connections. Has worked well so far.

On my 95 540i automatic there was no special piping to link in the transmission.
Huh? The Nissens is cheaper than the Behr.

I've never used a Nissens myself, but we sell them to customers looking to save a few bucks at the shop. Winfred says they're pretty good replacements. I'd point you to a thread regarding this topic, but it got deleted in the Great Data Loss '05.

best, whit
Dan in NZ
06-28-2005, 07:09 PM
The automatics have a built-in transmission cooler, you should see some trans fluid lines going to one side of the radiator.
Cambridge
06-29-2005, 10:48 AM
Very interesting... I wonder if it is a 540i issue. Do they use a different radiator? Radiator.com wanted $10 more dollars for the Nissens.
Tiger
06-29-2005, 11:59 AM
$190 for Nissen... 1989 BMW 525iA... http://www.mr-auto-parts.com and free shipping. I buy all my parts from these guys.
uscharalph
06-29-2005, 12:29 PM
Wow $17.26 cheaper than BMA.
uscharalph
06-29-2005, 12:31 PM
They're selling Nissens on eBay for $179.50 (Free Shipping / No Sales Tax).
uscharalph
11-03-2008, 04:46 AM
They're selling Nissens on eBay for $179.50 (Free Shipping / No Sales Tax).
So this is odd. I went with the Nissens, back in 06/2005. No problems with the plastic parts, but the core is weeping after 3 1/2 years. Nissens from the same guy = same price $179.50 or Behr $158.00?
bubba966
11-03-2008, 05:22 PM
So this is odd. I went with the Nissens, back in 06/2005. No problems with the plastic parts, but the core is weeping after 3 1/2 years. Nissens from the same guy = same price $179.50 or Behr $158.00?

Not sure about the 525 rad, but for the 540 I see that Behr has added a metal sleeve to the inside of the upper hose neck to prevent it front snapping off. And that's the #1 failure mode of these things it seems.

Odd that the core is crapping out on you. What've you been using for antifreeze, and how often were you changing it?
uscharalph
11-03-2008, 05:38 PM
Not sure about the 525 rad, but for the 540 I see that Behr has added a metal sleeve to the inside of the upper hose neck to prevent it front snapping off. And that's the #1 failure mode of these things it seems.

Odd that the core is crapping out on you. What've you been using for antifreeze, and how often were you changing it?
I use BMW Blue mixed 50 / 50 with distilled water. New coolant on install 3 1/2 years ago and changed coolant about a year and 1/2 ago.
Russell
11-03-2008, 06:18 PM
My indy recomended a Nissens as they seem to hold up longer than a Behr. My previous radiator was a BMW/Behr that lasted for 90,000 miles/5 years. the plastic/metal seam on left side split. FYI, I have been using Zerex G0-5 for the past two years. Coolant looks very clean.
Rick L
11-03-2008, 11:00 PM
I replace my radiator with Nissens and works well. I purchased it from Bavauto at good price. Other one just front of the radiator is transmission cooler. Remember to keep the hose elevated and put a rubber glove (finger part) over the tube with a rubber band.


I'm going to replace my (original?) radiator. My BMW has an automatic tranmission. From what I can tell it requires a differnt radiator than the manual transmission; right? Has any one had any good / bad experience with the Nissens from Denmark? Should I pay more for the Behr? Are ther any other (Possibly better?) brands I'm overlooking.