Replacing Radiator What Brand Is Good Or Bad?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 299
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From: So.Cal.
2003 W211 E500
Replacing Radiator What Brand Is Good Or Bad?
I am replacing my radiator because it has a puncture. I have seen multiple prices and brands (from $150 to over $500) and know nothing about the quality of radiators? Anyway, I have heard that Behr is one of the best but pretty pricy. Are there any brands that I should stay away from? I live in a hot climate 8 months out of the year. The last thing that I need is to blow it up.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 4
From: Houston
2003 E55
There was an issue in early models that resulted in the contamination of the transmission fluid with coolant - pretty sure those issues have been resolved on new OEM replacements. Buying a used item would likely be risky - as with any other used component. For what it is worth, when I took road debris through my radiator, I used a Valeo thru FCP Euro - no issues to date in Houston heat with my daily driver.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 697
Likes: 172
From: Seattle, WA
2019 M5 Comp, 2005 Ariel Atom 2
Nissens for sure, there actually weren't too many options as far as brands go when I looked a month ago and with Valeo being a known issue as original radiators on our W211s I opted for a different brand. Fit was perfect, no issues.
On a side note - My '03 E55 had the original 'faulty' Valeo in it, 142k miles, had the ATF tested at Blackstone and there was zero glycol contamination. Probably overkill since I had no problems, but it was a nice piece of mind for $30 to have that tested.
On a side note - My '03 E55 had the original 'faulty' Valeo in it, 142k miles, had the ATF tested at Blackstone and there was zero glycol contamination. Probably overkill since I had no problems, but it was a nice piece of mind for $30 to have that tested.
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 128
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From: Torrance, Ca
E63 AMG
