Where to get the best water pump and thermostat? (135is convertible)

[TridenTBoy]

Well, my water pump is failing at 42000 miles in. Where do I get the new one for a 2013 135is convertible? Preferably I get one that works from day 1 with no issues. I don't care if it's aftermarket or OEM. Whichever works the best and lasts the longest is what matters to me.

Any other items I need to get while doing this? Obviously a new thermostat and a new water pump and supposedly 3 new bolts (which should come with it).

[rominun]

Id get it from ecs tuning. This is the oem one: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...nUJBoC6DXw_wcB They have 2 aftermarket ones too, if you would like to go that route.

[135 TING]

bavauto. I got my water pump from them and thermostat from ecs.

[TridenTBoy]

All Genuine BMW parts.

Peter Pan in Burlingame:
Part number: 11517632426 - $629
Part number: 11537601158 - $159

BMW of Mountain View:
Part number: 11517632426 - $572.36 w/ $100 core
Part number: 11537601158 - $132.55

ECSTuning:
11517632426: $480.51
11537601158: $111.28

Bavauto:
11517632426: $515.12
11537601158: $119.30

Aftermarket gets more tricky as brands vary widely.

Saw the pump for as low as $329 and the thermostat for $56. Both manufactured by Gates. VDO is closer to $380-390 for the pump.

Thoughts? Any past experience? I don't know anything about Gates. Seems like a true 3rd party as Continental seems to make the water pump for OEM. (Or VDO, supposedly. Although all the pictures I see have Continental stamped on the part)

[drwillb]

Do not buy "BMW " brand. That is just a Continental pump in a BMW box. That pump is even stamped Continental on the side. I just did my pump 2 weeks ago.

Look for a Continental pump and save some bucks. Make sure it's a new one, not remanufactured.

For the thermostat I went with Wahler since they are an oem supplier and known good brand.

Also, while you're in there, you'll want to replace the U shaped hose that connects pump to thermostat. Go BMW on that piece.

Amazon will bring up all the pieces you need. There are several BMW dealers selling through Amazon now.

It's one of those jobs that's such a pain in the ass that you'll want to do all three pieces at the same time.

I'm pretty handy in the garage and I would allow 4 hours.

Go to YouTube and look for the BavAuto video on water pump replacement. There are two parts. Well worth watching first.

Big tip: put silicone grease on the nipples for the new parts where hoses (especially the hard plastic tubes) connect. Watch both videos start to finish, you'll see what I mean. Otto doesn't bother mentioning that until he's almost done with the whole job.

[135 TING]

Originally Posted by TridenTBoy

All Genuine BMW parts.

Peter Pan in Burlingame:
Part number: 11517632426 - $629
Part number: 11537601158 - $159

BMW of Mountain View:
Part number: 11517632426 - $572.36 w/ $100 core
Part number: 11537601158 - $132.55

ECSTuning:
11517632426: $480.51
11537601158: $111.28

Bavauto:
11517632426: $515.12
11537601158: $119.30

Aftermarket gets more tricky as brands vary widely.

Saw the pump for as low as $329 and the thermostat for $56. Both manufactured by Gates. VDO is closer to $380-390 for the pump.

Thoughts? Any past experience? I don't know anything about Gates. Seems like a true 3rd party as Continental seems to make the water pump for OEM. (Or VDO, supposedly. Although all the pictures I see have Continental stamped on the part)

VDO looks EXACTLY the same as the stock one. I just swapped them out Sunday.
I should've taken pictures to show you the VDO and oem one are identical.

[TridenTBoy]

I watched the videos online. Seems, as usual, that it'll be much harder for my E88 135is. (Extra coolers, bracing, etc.) At least, that's what I get from reading the youtube comments.

:'(

I will be doing some more research this week on other things. My jack and jack stands got stolen. So, doing any repairs right now is a big investment. I have to do my oil, replace some gaskets (oil filter housing gasket, I think. I think it might be leaking), and see if I can fix my oil pan. It seems to be bent along the face that connects to the block. (bent outwards, so oil leaks out) I have no idea how that happened but I lose oil here and there sometimes.

[drwillb]

I have the ER Competition oil cooler in my car. The braided stainless hoses that connect the left cooler to the right side are pretty big diameter and run directly through the area where you are supposed to stick your hand in to get to the top bolt on the pump. This ends up blocking 80% of the space available.

It took me a while to think about it but I wound up loosening the radiator fan and lifting it. This created just enough space to get my hand in.

[TridenTBoy]

Originally Posted by drwillb

I have the ER Competition oil cooler in my car. The braided stainless hoses that connect the left cooler to the right side are pretty big diameter and run directly through the area where you are supposed to stick your hand in to get to the top bolt on the pump. This ends up blocking 80% of the space available.

It took me a while to think about it but I wound up loosening the radiator fan and lifting it. This created just enough space to get my hand in.

FML. I hope it goes smoother than that.

Anyway, I ended up buying everything through Bavarian Autosport. They didn't have the best prices on everything but it was enough to make it worth it to me to buy through them.

Water Pump - VDO A2C59514607 1 $379.95
Thermostat - Wahler 410766.103 D0 1 $69.95
Coolant Hose - Water Pump To Thermostat - Genuine BMW 11 53 7 545 665 1 $44.18
Water Pump Mounting Bolt - Genuine BMW - 3 required per water pump 11 51 7 602 123 3 $3.93
Antifreeze - 1 Gallon - Genuine BMW 82 14 1 467 704 1 $22.75
Gasket - Oil Filter Housing To Engine Block B32345 1 $10.95
Spill Free Coolant Funnel - Bavarian Autosport B8800082 1 $19.95

Total was $555 with UPS ground shipping.

I needed the gasket for the oil filter housing because I think it's leaking from where it mates to the engine block.

I'm planning on doing a large amount of work on the car in a couple weeks. I'll be removing a bunch of stuff off the car because I need to replace one of the headlight bulbs. (It's been giving me an error for 4+ months) No better time to do a bunch of work when everything is coming off. I also have to get a good view of the oil pan because I think mine has been damaged somehow. I'll be seeing if I can repair it somehow. Gotta stop these oil leaks and possible contamination.

[mike@x-ph.com]

We offer OE parts

[TridenTBoy]

Hadn't looked at the overflow tank since owning the car. Just for some reason never happened. (I've owned it for only about 5-6 months though)

It was below the min level on the tank. Adding a quart or less seemed to fill it up. I'm guessing the thermostat or water pump is leaking in addition to dying.

[Shaymer]

Thanks everyone. This is going to be my 1st project.

[Petro135]

Buy it from fcp euro. Warrantee for life like everything else they sell

[DJ1911]

+1 for FCP Euro

Don't be like me and try to do the install without removing the radiator fan "to save time." Eventually you will give in to rage and frustration and remove then fan, and then realize how much easier it is.

[oneBIGtoe]

Originally Posted by DJ1911

+1 for FCP Euro

Don't be like me and try to do the install without removing the radiator fan "to save time." Eventually you will give in to rage and frustration and remove then fan, and then realize how much easier it is.

Wait... remove the fan for doing what exactly?

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by oneBIGtoe

Wait... remove the fan for doing what exactly?

Give yourself room to work.

[oneBIGtoe]

Originally Posted by AndyW

Give yourself room to work.

On waterpump and thermostat?? I am confused.... I replaced mine and not sure how fan removal would have helped?

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by oneBIGtoe

On waterpump and thermostat?? I am confused.... I replaced mine and not sure how fan removal would have helped?

Getting to several of the connections via the front made it easier.