SURVEY: Most miles/yrs on factory radiator?

[kristofergregoire]

Taking a survey, trying to get an idea of the average lifespan of the z3 cooling system.

Im at: 1999 2.8 @ 97k - (live in florida) no cooling issues since new.

[macc2440]

Boca Raton/Coral Springs

[dadmog]

[fmcfad01]

Overhauling this winter though. Retrofitting S54 Oil Cooling system onto the S52

[laserandy]

seriously considering replacing the radiator and water pump early next year.

AndrewAndrew Cole
'00 M Coupe Black/Tan

[mark7270]

[flukeCapeCod]

changed the waterpump at 84 thousand.... at that time I came on to this site and heard some people say they have gone a couple hundred thousand miles with these plastic components(other models) yet I hear too, that there is a greatpotential for a catastphic-breakdown by 150,000 miles...

my deduction is this..... maybe there can be a catastrophic-breakdown if the plastic components see high temperatures a lot... but in the 2 years I've had this coupe it runs always below the midrange temp. So I believe I haven't created any reason for this plastic to get that brittle(enough to make it crack) so I am just running it as is I am now up to 116,000..

[flukeCapeCod]

Now I can't find it... maybe he said $250 just where was that so I can write it down and put it in my repair manual for future resources.

[mindchimes]

heater core and thermostat at 60k

[vegasdmd]

Only neared the red mark when stopped for like 25 min in the middle of Aug on the Las Vegas strip....I guess any car would begin to overheat...

[flukeCapeCod]

smell antifreeze when inside the car randomly, but driven it 2 years and only last week added a little over a pint of antifreeze to top it off.... but I know there's a problem brewing there..

[ghollis_1]

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[Nathanielm]

My radiator was just fine until my fan blew to pieces at a Sebring event this summer. It took out my radiator and power steering reservoir and blew apart with enough force to raise two thimble like dimples in my hood as well. Beware old plastic parts.

[L'Supreemo]

92K on a 97 automatic, fan delete mod at 75K on original pump.
Everything looks good, but I'll soon have spares on hand anyway.

[L'Supreemo]

[flukeCapeCod]

[Y2KMcoupe]

[dorkspeed]

Bavarian Auto has them for $250, there abouts. Also, Ireland Engineering has an all aluminum radiator for $300. does any one have any experience with this part?

I, myself, just bought a '00 MZ3 Coupe and I'm wondering if I should do the whole cooling system right now, since I have to drive it from Up-state NY to California next week. It has 77,000 miles and a cooling flush / refill at 60,000. Any input? (I'm going to re-post this at the top.)

[sunny z(oo)m]

I replaced the w.p. on both previous 6 cylinders, but this one hasn't broken yet. I would buy the all-steel pump IF I were replacing, but instead I'll sell the car. It's time.

[Fluke/CapeCod]

did some research back some 3 years ago when I changed the waterpump online and somebody said they had at that time 184,000 on the radiator and they also said that its only when the radiator see's intensely high heat for long periods of time that you run into this catastrophic breakdown of the plastic(s)on these radiators ....

I don't know how much to trust in that logic but it does make sense to me.... and to date I am with the stock radiator...