E46 B3S radiator

The place to talk about ALPINAs.
e.g. News, Reviews, Insurance, Warranties, Running Costs, Sightings, general questions etc.

Moderators: Charles, neil, D4

User avatar
scalesg
ALP
ALP
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 3:53 am
Location: North Wales

E46 B3S radiator

Post by scalesg » Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:47 pm

Afternoon all.

Looks like my radiator has a very slight leak so need a replacement.

Can anyone suggest a make other than main dealer? Or is main dealer the best way to go? Does anyone know who makes them for BMW?

As always, thanks in advance

Gary
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)

User avatar
MickB3
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 1057
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:55 pm
Location: Worksop, Notts.

Post by MickB3 » Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:16 pm

Should be just one of these I believe.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/car-radiator
E46 B3 3.3 ALPINA

CharlesM
ALP
ALP
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: South Bucks, UK

Post by CharlesM » Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:31 pm

Standard radiator is from an E46 330i so you can search with that. It would most probably have been Behr, but Nissens is good too. I used these guys C3BMW to get one for my B10 3.3



http://www.c3bmw.co.uk/StockItem.asp?ca ... m=unassign

simon13
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 3385
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:10 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey

Post by simon13 » Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:45 pm

i'd advise against the EIS brand euros sell, the one on my car always leaked
Image

User avatar
scalesg
ALP
ALP
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 3:53 am
Location: North Wales

Post by scalesg » Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:37 pm

Thanks all

Looks like I have a choice from 44.99 all the way to 280 for BMW Genuine from what I can see on Ebay

I'll see what my garage has to say when I see them tomorrow

Anyone know the labour time to replace? Is it front of car off? Hoping not!!

:shock:
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)

hap
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 5129
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:22 am
Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Post by hap » Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:40 pm

I would go genuine its an important and integral part
If u get main dealer to fit you will get 2 year part warranty

User avatar
scalesg
ALP
ALP
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 3:53 am
Location: North Wales

Post by scalesg » Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:49 pm

I see your point Hap, pretty vital really :-)

A few bits and pieces on Euros parts of the BMW forums so not going that route

Nissens parts look good and their website looks good also, they do all sorts of cooling stuff, including trains!!

Less than half price of BMW Part also

Decisions decisions :-)

All I know is, once one bit goes and you replace it, other parts that are part of the same system start to slowly fail also....... In an ideal world I would replace the entire cooling system as it is all 12 years old now..... Oh to have the time and the money :-)
Last edited by scalesg on Tue Sep 12, 2017 10:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)

hap
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 5129
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:22 am
Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Post by hap » Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:56 pm

I look at the rarity of the car and factor it into cost

User avatar
scalesg
ALP
ALP
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 3:53 am
Location: North Wales

Post by scalesg » Tue Sep 12, 2017 10:13 pm

Behr still make the radiators it seems, same price as Nissens

Also it is asking for manual or auto transmission... Is it just a plug that is different? Or is there more to it?

Also, does anyone have a rough idea on labour time to drain, replace rad and refill and test?
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)

User avatar
scalesg
ALP
ALP
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 3:53 am
Location: North Wales

Post by scalesg » Wed Sep 13, 2017 6:07 pm

I have gone for the BMW one, I blame Hap!!

Will update you on prices..........

Thanks all

Gary :P
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)

rc944
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 1080
Joined: Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:21 pm
Location: London / Bucks

Post by rc944 » Wed Sep 13, 2017 6:44 pm

the 2 years parts gtee applies on diy installs not just dealer fit
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S

rc944
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 1080
Joined: Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:21 pm
Location: London / Bucks

Post by rc944 » Wed Sep 13, 2017 6:45 pm

unless youre already committed theres a few well trodden sources for cheaper than normal genuine bmw parts
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S

User avatar
scalesg
ALP
ALP
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 3:53 am
Location: North Wales

Post by scalesg » Wed Sep 13, 2017 6:50 pm

Not purchased just yet!!

I have looked at ebay and bmwminiparts

Do you have any other info?

Thanks!
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)

shaziman
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 1389
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:59 pm
Location: Nottingham, occasionally S.Wales

Post by shaziman » Thu Sep 14, 2017 9:07 am

Ask for trade discount, as long as you wear something car related, most dealers are happy to oblige!
1995 E36 B3.0 Convertible (rebodied)
1996 E36 B3.2 Touring No:20 - 1 of 5 made
1997 E36 B3.2 Touring No:36 - 1 of 5 made
1999 E36 323 Sport Touring
2011 E92 D3 Bi-turbo no.246 (santorini blue)
2019 Fiat Fullback
2020 Mini Countryman SE (PHEV)
Alpina, BMW and Detailing Enthusiast

rattusM3
ALPI
ALPI
Posts: 301
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:03 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Post by rattusM3 » Thu Sep 14, 2017 9:10 am

Not sure if BMW includes the expansion tank with the radiator at that price, might be worth asking.

If the expansion tank has not been changed to your knowledge it may be worth replacing that at the same time as they are notorious for splitting.

Could also try other suppliers of genuine BMW parts such as KOED in Denmark. Purchased some recent parts from them saving 20 - 30 %.

Nissens in my experience are usually good, was not so happy with the Behr stuff.

Just thought I add some confusion :D

Kev
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

Post Reply