SILENTKNIGHT

I have a very high miles weekend car that needs a radiator, can someone recommend a fairly good one ?
re: 1989 560 SL

Arizona Mike

If you want one of the best, an aluminum one, DeWitt quoted me $650 to duplicate mine (also a 560SL), but you'll have to send your original one to him and do without it for a time.

rocky raccoon

Nissens, a Danish company, make radiators for us. I put one in my W123. Less expensive and better quality than the OE. About $250 as I recall.

Arizona Mike

Here is their rather obtuse response to my email:

Good morning Michael,

Thank you for your interest in the Nissens brand. Nissens does not produce a full aluminum replacement radiator for this vehicle [560SL]. We produce products that are exact replacements for the original product (plastic to aluminum or full aluminum). Full aluminum for those vehicles that came with full aluminum from the factory. At least at this time this is our process.

Jay Brown

General Manager – North America and Latin America

Nissens North America, Inc.
1125 S. Ball St., Suite 100
Grapevine, TX 76051, United States

rocky raccoon

With all due respect, your original aluminum-plastic radiator probably lasted a couple of hundred thousand miles and almost 30 years. Unless you and your SL have discovered the Secret to Eternal Life, another similar should be sufficient.

Arizona Mike

If you're stating that my 560SL's radiator is aluminum, thanks. I didn't know that. I'm so used to replacing the copper radiators of older Corvettes I didn't think my Mercedes came with one.

rocky raccoon

Yes MIke. At least the one on my 88 560SL was aluminum crimped to plastic tanks. I never had to replace it though.

Arizona Mike

Well, that's one cooling factor I won't be having to consider for maximum cooling this summer, when it'll get to 115 degrees here in the Sonoran desert by July.