Replacing Radiator What Brand Is Good Or Bad?
10-10-2018, 12:58 AM
#1
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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.
10-10-2018, 09:25 AM
#3
I used Nissens when doing the replacements in my E63 and its been fine thus far (it has only been like 2 years). I believe the OEM is a brand called Valeo, which dont have a great rep from what i understand
10-10-2018, 12:51 PM
#4
Junior Member
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.
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R6slayer (10-12-2018)
10-12-2018, 06:41 PM
#5
Member
I purchased a Nissens Radiator and the quality looked alot better than the OEM one i pulled out. I think I paid about 230 for it shipped from Rock Auto with a coupon.
10-13-2018, 11:19 AM
#6
Super Member
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.
10-13-2018, 11:26 AM
#7
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