128i radiator - CSF vs OEM?

[audi355]

My 2011 128i just hit 172k miles and will be replacing the cooling system within a few weeks. Going to replace the radiator as part of it, any thoughts on the CSF 7001 aluminum radiator vs OEM?

Seems the CSF unit has some advantages - no plastic and about $200 cheaper - but looks like some here still stick with OEM.

Any thoughts, pros/cons of one vs. the other?

[fotontom]

Originally Posted by audi355

My 2011 128i just hit 172k miles and will be replacing the cooling system within a few weeks. Going to replace the radiator as part of it, any thoughts on the CSF 7001 aluminum radiator vs OEM?

Seems the CSF unit has some advantages - no plastic and about $200 cheaper - but looks like some here still stick with OEM.

Any thoughts, pros/cons of one vs. the other?

I'm glad to hear about the aluminum radiator being available. I'll keep that in mind for my E82, which will need it soon. I already did the water pump, thermostat and starter (while the cooling system was accessible). When I did the same process to my E88 3 years ago, the aluminum radiator was not available. So I went with the OEM. I'd much rather go with the aluminum, if there is no bad feedback on it.

[audi355]

Ended up going with the OEM radiator.

My car is an N51 so has the EAC sensor; CSF makes an original type replacement for the N51 but not an all-aluminum one that I could find. Looks like the aluminum CSF 7100 is for an N52. EAC sensor is unobtainium from BMW, so only option is to retrofit and re-plug a Mercedes part into the CSF N51 compatible radiator, or try to scavenge the sensor off the existing radiator, which didn't seem worth the trouble. I'd have saved around $200-250 buying parts separately, savings going aftermarket wasn't worth the time or the fiddling IMO. Plus my parts sat long enough in the basket that I got a 10% off email from FCP.

If car was an N52 I'd likely have gone with the 7100, looks like a nice unit.

[GoRomeo]

My E90 original Radiator lasted me 17yrs. So I went with OEM again. We had a heat wave back Aug here is SD 95 degrees and finally my rad gave up. . Lucky I was only a few miles from home. Cheers 🤙

[audi355]

Glad it was close to home; I figure OEM is often the best bet anyway. Can't complain if a radiator made it 17 years.

My small line to the expansion tank blew a couple months back requiring a tow, and I have another hose that's looking pretty crunchy. Given the car's 13 years old with 172k miles, seems a good time to give that whole system a refresh.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by audi355

Glad it was close to home; I figure OEM is often the best bet anyway. Can't complain if a radiator made it 17 years.

My small line to the expansion tank blew a couple months back requiring a tow, and I have another hose that's looking pretty crunchy. Given the car's 13 years old with 172k miles, seems a good time to give that whole system a refresh.

I never had any issues with the hoses but my mechanic recommended to replaced a few when radiator broke.. I have about 215k miles on my E90.

[audi355]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

I never had any issues with the hoses but my mechanic recommended to replaced a few when radiator broke.. I have about 215k miles on my E90.

After my expansion tank hose let go, I noticed several others here had the same issue - the replacement seemed to be better made than the original, so guessing BMW decided to improve the replacement. If you haven't done that one, I'd do it. Its super easy to get to, it's the small line that runs along the top of the radiator. Made a mess in the engine bay when it let go. My other hose going bad is the cylinder head to thermostat housing hose, another hose where people have mentioned replacing it prophylactically while doing a water pump/thermostat replacement when it's easier to get to, but I missed that before I did mine 20k miles ago.

Cool you have over 200k; I should be there in about a year. I'd really like to keep this car going as long as I can. I don't have much interest in the newer BMWs, especially for the money, and since I have other stuff to drive while working on this car my goal is to keep adding miles. So many good things about the platform and they'll never make one like it again.