Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Wenonah, NJ
    Posts
    720

    Cooling System Overhaul ?'s

    Who has the best quality aftermarket parts? FCP Groton, Pelican, ESC Tuning, or should I just get OEM BMW? I'm kinda indecisive on what to get. Everyone's kits have different things in them which makes it even more difficult to decide what is absolutely necessary.

    My car has roughly 84k on it and its a 2004, I think it might implode on my way to VA. What should I do... Expansion tank, T-stat, upper hose? I don't want to replace stuff just to replace it, like the sensors and all that extra crap everyones kit comes with...

    HaLP me please.
    http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5934684585_efb25fa4b8_m.jpg
    My garage: 08' Alpine White 135i Coupe putting out 405 wHP to BOTH rear wheels. 05' LeMans Blue X5 4.8is that I like to call Truckmeat. Socketheads 05' Dinan tuned ZHP, and a few Hondas to keep it real.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Posts
    6,940
    Quote Originally Posted by kpro View Post
    Who has the best quality aftermarket parts? FCP Groton, Pelican, ESC Tuning, or should I just get OEM BMW? I'm kinda indecisive on what to get. Everyone's kits have different things in them which makes it even more difficult to decide what is absolutely necessary.

    My car has roughly 84k on it and its a 2004, I think it might implode on my way to VA. What should I do... Expansion tank, T-stat, upper hose? I don't want to replace stuff just to replace it, like the sensors and all that extra crap everyones kit comes with...

    HaLP me please.
    I like pelican...I used them extensively for my 944, then my headgasket blew, and my third gear synchro sheared...but I think they have pretty good deals. ECS is one stop shopping for the overhaul tho and it's good quality parts. OEM BMW is pretty pricey for the cooling overhaul, all the hoses are made the same way...so you really can't go wrong, just look for the best deal with the best customer service

    I'd replace the hoses, T-stat, water pump, expansion tank, and associated drain plugs. The Radiator cap is hit or miss. If you think you can wait for the next overhaul than hold off. I'm about to go HAM on the front of my motor...so if you want a nice list of prices from Pelican check the "Front End Overhaul" thread.
    Porsche 944 Turbo Build

    One ride and you'll understand why most rocket scientists are German.

    My ZHP Build 2004-2014 RIP


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Wenonah, NJ
    Posts
    720
    Thanks Horney! ECS seems pricey compared to everyone else and they're one of the places that has extra crap added in their packages that I don't find necessary. I bought my fuel pump from pelican and it was an easy install, and hasn't given me problems. I think I will go check them out
    http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5934684585_efb25fa4b8_m.jpg
    My garage: 08' Alpine White 135i Coupe putting out 405 wHP to BOTH rear wheels. 05' LeMans Blue X5 4.8is that I like to call Truckmeat. Socketheads 05' Dinan tuned ZHP, and a few Hondas to keep it real.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Posts
    6,940
    I love 'em
    Porsche 944 Turbo Build

    One ride and you'll understand why most rocket scientists are German.

    My ZHP Build 2004-2014 RIP


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Liberty Township, OH
    Posts
    37,935
    I got my kit from ECSTuning
    Call Me Dane l 2/2004 330i ZHP l 18x8 ET45 BBS CK's wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ @ 245-40-18 l KW V1 Coilovers in front l KW V1 springs w/ Bilstein B8 dampeners in rear l BMW Performance Rotors l UUC StrutBarbarian l Racing Dynamics Rear Strut Bar l Jim Conforti Shark Injector l Light Birch Interior Trim l Bimmian Celly Mount l M3 Trunk Mat l l e90 Performance E-Brake & Shift Knob l M3 Tri-Stitched Boots l AL Headlight Retrofit with ZKW Lenses l CobyWheel Wrap w/M3 Stitching l LCM sw 4.5 triple blink and rear fogs l Maple Interior Trim

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Maine-Vacationland
    Posts
    1,961
    I got my kit from ECS and a couple small things locally from Bav Auto, I did mine at 56k

    I replaced and would replace: waterpump and gasket, thermostat, expansion tank and cap, upper and lower radiator hoses, coolant temp sensor, fluid level sensor and obviously coolant too

    If you have any questions let me know.

    Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Ocean County, NJ
    Posts
    7,273
    When I did the cooling overhaul in my 325 I bought the cooling kit from Tischer for $325.

    OEM BMW E46 3 Series Cooling System Repair Kit

    OEM BMW E46 3 Series (non M) Cooling System Repair Kit. New E46 M3 Cooling Kits now available!

    Kit includes genuine BMW:

    Thermostat w/ housing/gasket (11537509227)
    Waterpump (11517527910)
    Upper radiator hose (17127510952)
    Lower radiator hose (11531436408)
    Expansion Tank (17117573781)
    Radiator Cap (17111742231)
    Engine drain plug crush ring (07119963200)
    Lower hose temp sensor (13621433077)
    -Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
    ZHP Pre-Ride Briefing

    2005 ZHP, Alcantara, Silver Cube, Nav, Sharked, BMW Perf Intake, BMW Perf CF Strut Brace, CF Valve/Fuel Rail Covers,
    Shadowline Grills, CF Splitters, Fog Light Inserts, Euro-mirrors, CDV Delete, Beisan vanos, GAS DISA, BP Coded

  8. #8
    spencers Guest
    If I only had one bit of info to offer: DO NOT skimp on the expansion tank. Buy a Genuine OEM tank from the dealer or from Turner Motorsport.

    I pieced together my kit at AutohausAZ, using the part number list from Tischer. Totally recommend those guys.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    I bought all of my stuff from Turner Motorsport, consisting of (from my email receipt):

    E46COOLINGPACK
    E46 Cooling System Overhaul Kit - 1999-2005 3 Series
    o Yes, 1 gallon (#82141467704)
    o Yes please (#17117573781)
    o No thanks, stock / Original BMW is fine.
    o Yes Please.
    1
    $488.10

    $488.10

    11287512762
    AC Belt - All E46 (except M3) 2003 thru 2005 & Others
    1
    $8.95

    $8.95

    11281437475
    Serpentine Drive Belt for M52tu, M54 6 Cylinder
    1
    $19.44

    $19.44

    11281748131
    Tensioner Pulley for Main Drive Belt (Water Pump/Alternator/Power Steering)
    1
    $48.42
    $23.42
    $25.00

    11281748130
    Upper Idler Pulley for Main Drive Belt (Water Pump/Alternator/Power Steering)
    1
    $49.34
    $19.39
    $29.95


    Order Notes:
    None
    SubTotal:

    $571.44
    Shipping:
    UPS Ground
    $26.41
    Tax:

    $0.00
    Total:

    $597.85

    For reference, E46COOLINGPACK description:

    This is a compete cooling system overhaul kit, which includes all the common E46 cooling system failure parts bundled into a complete package. This cooling system package is for all of the non-M E46 3 series -- those made in 1999-2005 as well as 2006 coupes and convertibles.

    The E46 cooling system is much like that of the previous generation 3 series; Several of the primary cooling components are prone to failure within 60k miles (or less in many cases). A failure in the cooling system can lead to overheating and catastrophic engine failure. Don't gamble your engine! By replacing these core items preventatively, such as the radiator & waterpump, you are difusing what could be a ticking cooling system time bomb. And if you've had a failure of one of these parts, now is the time to refresh your cooling system. Our kit includes one OEM Behr radiator, an Original BMW waterpump (with updated composite impeller), thermostat (complete with housing), radiator cap, and new hoses (as pictured).

    Optional items (which can be added below):
    - Original BMW antifreeze
    - Upgrade the waterpump to a Steward EMP High Performance pump
    - Add a new coolant expansion tank (known for cracking, includes new coolant level sensor)


    ** I purchased BMW coolant, left the waterpump the standard kind (composite impeller), and purchased a brand new expansion tank.


    I know you said you don't want to replace stuff just to replace it, but with the cooling system and related parts, it's WORTH IT. I highly recommend you spend the money, because any number of these items could leave you stranded.
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Wenonah, NJ
    Posts
    720
    Autozone.com
    Thanks for all the replies guys! I was trying to avoid paying $500 for parts. I think I'm going to get the kit at pelican and get the OEM expansion tank at turner. Im not going to do the tensioners and belts til later unless they're abnormally worn. I can get them on the spot locally if need be.
    http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5934684585_efb25fa4b8_m.jpg
    My garage: 08' Alpine White 135i Coupe putting out 405 wHP to BOTH rear wheels. 05' LeMans Blue X5 4.8is that I like to call Truckmeat. Socketheads 05' Dinan tuned ZHP, and a few Hondas to keep it real.

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