reitmeid

Does anyone know if the 04 radiator is the same as the 03? I have an 03 e55and last night I checked mine and it is a Valeo. I plan on replacing it before I have problems with the transmission contamination issue. But when I'm searching online vendors, no radiators are listed for 2003 e55, although they are listed for 04-06 e55. So will the radiator for an 04 replace the radiator in my 03? Also, has anyone had good luck with Nissens brand radiators, or should I stick with OEM? Thanks for any help with this.

mdweiss

I have the same question, where is the Valeo brand marked on the radiator? im trying to figure out if mine has been replaced prior to me purchasing the car, i have a 2003

reitmeid

Mine was marked on top of the radiator, underneath the crosspiece which incorporates the hood latches. It can easily be unfastened enough to partially lift up and look at radiator brand. I never found out whether or not there are differences in the 03, 04 -06. I guess someone who has the das/epic software could look up part numbers, but I don't have that. What I ended up doing is having a glycol test done for $125 at the dealer. They gave me a clean bill of health. Recently, the Valeo paranoia again struck me and I recently sent the folks at "genuine mercedes parts.com" an email inquiry. I was quoted
$728 plus shipping for a MB part. Incidentally, they didn't answer my question as to why their web menu doesn't even list an E55 AMG under model year 2003. Nissnans can be had from various online places for $650. The oddity in all this is that the dealer had one price for the 04-06 radiator, and a higher price for the 03 radiator, yet there is not a person on the planet earth who knows what the difference in the 03 radiator replacement is.

anerbe

the differences are between valeo and behr radiators. valeo does not have moldings on the plastic tanks that mend better with the header crimps. behr radiators have these features.

mdweiss

ok thanks, because my car is a build date of 4/2003 and i want to prevent anything with the tranny. i was figuring a cheaper solution is to install an aftermarket external tranny cooler and just keep this radiator. I am not the original owner so i want to make sure it is the defective unit before i order anything.

does anyone know anything about fitting size of the stock lines so i can convert off this into standard AN line.