E39 radiator

[Teh Prof]

Dagnabit, my plastic-necked radiator on the E39 is dying. Little pinhole spewing steam after driving five minutes ago. Will be proceeding immediately to the mechanic once it cools down and I can get some water in it.

[CosmosBlack]

Sorry to hear that....is that the first replacement or second?
Being a 99, if that's the original radiator, it did good.

[Teh Prof]

Honestly I don't know. The hoses had been updated, so it could be the second. Very close to 150000 miles.

[Eric S.]

Sorry to hear about it, M3. I guess that means you're not going to send me that "second check" for the 540 anymore, huh?

Yeah, it has the updated hose design and "1Q01" dates on the hoses, so with a 10/98 build date it may well be on its second radiator. So does this mean you're still considering the Nissens (or whatever its called) all-aluminum $500 radiator?

[Teh Prof]

I would do the Nissens radiator in a heartbeat except my mechanic won't do it.

Turns out there's more to replace too. All the underbody plastic is shot. Expansion tank is nearly dead. Radiator cap is dead. Both rear window actuators are dead. The "valley fan" is leaking badly. Gonna be a pricey little mechanic visit, but the car should be good to go for a while afterwards.

This weekend I will top 20,000 mostly highway miles since I bought it from Eric. This is the first major stuff I have had to do so far, so I'm not complaining.

[Teh Prof]

Valley pan, not fan.

[fastshivy]

Just finished mine @ 82,000 a few months back. Had to replace the expansion tank too. I also did the water pump, hoses and belts. I hate going back twice. Sounds like the same deal....a little split in the top plastic. Sorry to hear you are having problems.
My wife teaches too, so I know you are making the big money for BMW parts!!!!!!!

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by fastshivy

My wife teaches too, so I know you are making the big money for BMW parts!!!!!!!

Don't feel sorry for me. I have a little different gig than most teachers. I was a traditional high school teacher for two years. Now I just teach two kids and make some pretty serious bank.

[Teh Prof]

Add to the list the water pump, thermostat, and rearward engine cover or some such.

On the plus side, I am saving on labor.

[superdeadman]

Originally Posted by M3UOND

Add to the list the water pump, thermostat, and rearward engine cover or some such.

On the plus side, I am saving on labor.

i need a thermostat toooooo!!!

[Teh Prof]

Thinking I'm going to supercharge the 540 during the month of March...

But I may need some encouragement...

Come on people, this is your chance to tell me how awesome it will be...

[fastshivy]

OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHh Ya gotta, ya gotta, ya gotta, do it!!!! Oh Geez I love superchargers. Was I clear about that...I love superchargers. I would sleep with one if my wife would let me. This is lust at it's highest level!

Your mileage is a little high, but you might get 50,000 more out of her before a rebuild. One way to find out..

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by fastshivy

Your mileage is a little high, but you might get 50,000 more out of her before a rebuild. One way to find out..

Meh, actually I'm thinking about 300K-350K before a rebuild. They're all highway miles, and she's very well-maintained.

[fastshivy]

I was thinking in terms of supercharger mileage. If you don't keep your foot in them all the time you could get squeeze that out of it. I like yur thikin

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by fastshivy

I was thinking in terms of supercharger mileage. If you don't keep your foot in them all the time you could get squeeze that out of it. I like yur thikin

Let's put it this way: I've put 20,000 miles on the car since late September. Highway driving is generally a cruise control operation.

Dinan also offers a two year unlimited mileage guarantee on the supercharger system. I'll easily do 50K miles in two years...if the s/c fails, it's their problem.