[s-cars] Radiator replacement - Oem Dealer or Aftermarket (Nissens)?

[Taka Mizutani]

If it's a budget aftermarket part, I've generally have had bad experiences
with that type of part. When it's aftermarket from an OE supplier for that
manufacturer, those are usually okay- like getting a Behr radiator for a
German car. However, I would not get a Nissens or that type of part unless I
was getting rid of the car and just needed to get it fixed for cheap. I had
an all metal radiator in my 5ktq- it looked like a low quality part, even
though it was all metal- poorly finished overall and spray-painted. It
didn't leak but I didn't really trust it, either.

I've had good experiences with aftermarket parts that are designed to
improve performance, but that comes with the warning that you need to do
your homework because there are a lot of dodgy aftermarket "performance"
parts. The Koyo radiator I put in my Miata was an excellent radiator- a big
OE manufacturer building an all-aluminum performance radiator made to OE
standards of quality. I'd definitely do that again.

I put an brand-new Audi radiator and secondary radiator in my 200 right
before I sold it. I figured if the original lasted nearly 12 years, the
replacement should be decent as well- replaced all of the rubber mounts at
the same time.



On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 3:55 PM, LL - NY <larrycleung at gmail.com> wrote:

> The Nissen I put in my 200 lasted the 40+K miles I kept the car prior to
> it's sale.  No problems and no idea of what happened to it after the sale.
>
> On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 11:22 AM, Peter Schulz <p.schulz at verizon.net>
> wrote:
>
> > Looking for some experience for those of you using an aftermarket
> radiator.
> > I've had mixed experiences with Nissens, but it's 1/3-1/2 cost of
> > discounted oem.
> >
> >
> > -Peter Schulz
> > Chelmsford Ma, USA
> > http://www.naaclub.org/
> >
> > 1995.5 S6 Avant Emerald/Ecru
> > 1995.5 S6 Avant Silver/Platinum
> > 1991 90Q 20v Q Red
> > 1991 90Q 20v Indigo
> > 1991 CQ silver  (eS2 recipient)
> >
> >
> >
> >
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