328ic Heater Core Replacements

Hello!

I have a 1997 328ic that I love. It needs a heater core replacement. (coolant leak, started to overheat, low coolant, fumes coming up through the dashboard...) BUT My problem is, I can't tell if I'm being ripped off on the cost of the part. I think I might be. I know labor will be expensive, but the actual heater core...

The repair shop wants to order a $180 heater core (black plastic). I can't find anyone on the Internet selling a 1997 BMW 328ic heater core for that price. I found several off-brand for $65-$85 and a few behr for $95-$105. I even found a black plastic one on ebay for $35. I would feel more comfortable letting the shop "do what it thinks is best" if I could find a part for that price online, or if I was confident that the black plastic part was "genuine."

Most of the black plastic heater cores I can find online are branded ACM or Replacement. I found one on ebay for $140, but every other one was <$85.

I ordered a white plastic heater core from a site that (claimed, at least) said it was a Behr OEM part for $96. It comes with a 12 Months / 12,000 Miles warranty. But the shop would rather use the $180, black plastic, part, just 'cuz they trust their supplier.

I think, but am not 100% sure, that the "genuine" part for my car is Behr part, and it should be a white plastic. Can someone confirm or refute this?

The nerd in me thinks: a heater core is simple, mechanical. No moving parts. You put hot fluids in, the heat is dispersed by aluminum fins, air is blown over the fins, and a cooler fluid comes out.

I want to take care of my car, but I'm having a hard time finding value in the more expensive part. Should I insist that they use my part, or should I let them use the more expensive part (and pay a $20 restocking fee for the part I ordered).

I'd take a look at the serial number on the part you ordered. Enter it into a site like http://www.realoem.com and see if it matches your car.

Ed