E39 Radiator change questions

[Jez49]

The plastic end tank on my 530 sport's radiator has got a crack and is leaking. It looks like its on its original rad. My local GSF apparently only sell rads at one price but cant say who makes them until they get one in stock, Euro car parts are quoting a cheaper EIS rad and a much more expensive Nissens rad, are there any makes to avoid because of poor quality?

The car is an Auto and the haynes book of lies says I need to disconnect the transmission oil cooler pipes from the oil cooler to give me space to remove the rad - do I really have to do this? Im worried about topping up the gearbox and checking the level afterwards as my garage facilities are a bit basic at present and I want to keep the work to a minimum, I also want to reduce the chance of introducing crap in to the gearbox oil.

Thanks

Jez

[HRG]

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/199986

Any use?

[Fox-]

I would avoid the Nissens radiator. My BMW rad went in the same place as yours a few years ago. Was replaced with a Nissens rad. Which lasted a few months and leaked. Was replaced with ANOTHER Nissens rad which leaked from day 1. Was finally replaced with another brand (I cant remember which) and its now fine.

The BMW ones have this stupid design flaw where they ALL split at the end tanks, and the Nissen ones, well grr. There was a story of a guy in the states with similar Nissens woes as me.