E39 All-Alloy Radiator: Would anyone else here be interested?

[GJR]

Take a look at this E36 all-alloy radiator I found on the web...I'd be the first in line for an E39 version for my 540. I already emailed them to let them know what a huge market there would be for this...please do the same if you're interested!

Alloy Radiator (http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/shop.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=6134&Product_Code=NP-ALLOYRAD)

[bmw540i]

I just emailed them, I would definitaly would be interested, the best part is they offer a lifetime warranty so I know that radiator problem is gone.

[M.Wong]

Tony at VAC Motorsports was looking at an aluminum radiator by Griffin for the E38 and E39, but I am not sure if the expansion tank was ever developed. People were a bit frustrated to hear of an aluminum radiator but no improved tank to go with it.

I think the radiator was going to be priced pretty high, in the $600 range, but I never heard about its warranty info.

Take a look here:
VAC Motorsports (http://vacmotorsports.com/cgi-bin/view_item.pl?item_id=437)

[GJR]

That's great. It looks like they're working on the aluminum expansion tank. Their website says it's in a "final engineering" stage. Hopefully they'll be able to produce it by the time I need a new radiator. :)

[Malachi]

I'd be interested. I was checking on a replacement radiator last week at the dealership. The replacement is the OEM :eek:

[Lscman]

There have been lots of rumors about an all-aluminum rad being designed for E38/39. Zionsville and VAC have both claimed to be designing one & rumors have been flying for well over a year.

When I see one, I'll believe it. Price should not be a factor for anyone looking for reliability in a $50K+ vehicle.

The factory plastic expansion tanks go bad in about 70K miles, but the failure mode is not catastrophic. IMO, this is a key point. They fail gracefully...typically begin dribbling or losing their float level detector function. The plastic expansion tank will not explode & strand you or make your car incapable of withstanding higher RPM's. This is not an issue that limits your $57K driving machine to part throttle use with AAA towing card in-hand.

[Lscman]

Malachi,

The plastic Nissens rad is the only reasonable solution at this moment. It IS plastic, but it is different. There's no reason to assume the Nissens E39 rad will blow more often than a plastic Mopar radiator in a 1 ton Hemi truck. Most new rads have plastic tanks...it's the OEM E39 rad that's the weak design...the culprit.

I would not bother installing a Behr or BMW unit....it's a waste of time. Reminds me of going to the hospital to get a "known bad organ" transplanted into you.