Nissens or Behr radiator?

[Tiger]

I'd go with Nissen. My Nissen is 7 years old. You should consider upgrading your radiator to the 540i type and add external tank... but I think you are tight on space now.

[Jon K]

My nissens radiator is leaking - its about 6 years old now. I think I tweaked it when moving/working on the car - it's leaking at the plastic end tank.

I am going to pick up a new radiator as Zionsville says their kit won't work on my car given the clearances. Hrmph.


So, Behr or Nissens?

[shogun]

Try CRYOMAX from Taiwan, they sell them http://www.radiators.com/

Someone on Bimmerboard just bought one for a E32 750 for $162 only, life time warranty. Usually the one for the 750 costs :
Nissens $220-230, Behr close to $300 if you are lucky, as it also has the transmission fluid cooler integrated in the radiator.

These radiators are made in Taiwan by this company
http://www.radiator.com.tw/en/branch.html

[Jon K]

The nissens and behr are both around $190. I don't really want a taiwan radiator

Neither have a trans cooler in them as I have a 5 spd


So, nissens or behr?

[glen-sj]

You can just replace the plastic tank and or the o-ring gaskets at the top and bottom.

[bubba966]

The guys on the M5 board have had good luck using the Nissens rads on their S38's. But the Behr is OE.

I don't see why you won't be fine using either one.

[Dave M]

Every time we discuss this, the consensus is.........................................

They're both good.

My nissens is 4-5 years old, no complaints,

Dave

[Jon K]

See my leak is happening at the point where the end tank is kinda crimped onto the aluminum part :(

[aston_jag_tech]

I replace one piece alum Behr radiators for Rovers with 20-40k quite often...Might be a design flaw, manu defect. So, I wouldnt buy a Behr.

[shogun]

as an alternative: find a small radiator shop which replaces all of the plastic parts of your existing defective radiator by aluminium, my buddy did it, here pics
http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38465&highlight=alu+radiator

But for the price of this special work you can buy 2 new radiators, of course with plastic which breaks again.