Mishimoto MMRAD-CON-99X Performance Aluminum X-Line Radiator, Compatible with BMW Z3, 1997-2002

I had read that it was a good idea to replace the radiator in my BMW Z3 about every 60k miles. The cooling system is the weak link in these cars and the best thing to do is just stay ahead of the problem. Well, mine was at about 100k. I had replaced everything else including installing an all metal water pump. Then the old radiator started leaking on the side in the plastic part. Enough was enough. Couldn't stand the though of buying another plastic radiator!The new radiator arrived in an amazing package, very well protected. Unboxing it was like a work of art. All shiny, nicely welded, clearly something special.The Z3 version of this is actually a 2 row unit. There just isn't enough room for more. But don't worry, this cools so much better than the OEM unit.The fan shroud won't fit at least without some modification. This unit is just too thick. I cut a small section from the top of the shroud and then it fit fine. The radiator fit all the mounting points perfectly. It has a drain point that makes flushing easy (every 2 years minimum, use the blue BMW oem fluid).Here's the best part. I'm in Texas were it gets hot. Sitting in traffic at 105F is a challenge for any car. Now my temp gauge goes to straight vertical and stays there, no wavering no matter what. My A/C even works better.If you have a Z3 you need this radiator. It has a lifetime warranty so just get one and you won't have to worry about warping your head gasket when the plastic OEM unit fails.

Easy to install, works well.

What everyone wants to know is if this will fit your car. Let me break it down for you. If you have the coolant overflow tank behind the shock tower with a M52TU, M54, or S54 then it will fit and have some clearance. If you have an S52, or M52 with the E36 coolant tank on the radiator, then its going to be a very tight fit and you probably should avoid this radiator and go with the E36 style radiator. The vanos line will rub the coolant tank if not melt right through it. ;)

Extra row gives it more cooling, could not run more than 10-15 min on track but can run full sessions now. Quality is ok, the posts that sit in the mounts were different lengths (not supposed to be) and at different angles (again not supposed to be). The shroud clips were a little light but work ok. But no leaks so its doing its job.

This is a high quality radiator for the BMW Z3. I have a 2000 2.5L and I can tell you that I didn't have enough room for the stock, clutch fan with this radiator. It fits all the mounts and has all the hookups/temp port etc. but it's thicker than the stock unit. I ended up buying this Thin Line electric fan https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009X1QB2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and it fit perfect. If you go this route you'll need the SPAL shourd https://www.amazon.com/Spal-30130074-Fan-Shroud-Gasket/dp/B003PB4A5C/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1530932045&sr=1-1&keywords=SPAL+shroud. to make a tight seal that won't hurt the fins. But I really like having this in my car with the electric fan. I feel it solves a weak point in the OEM design as the stock stuff can fail when it ages.

The consequences of installing this quality-constructed radiator are three-fold when coupled with the installation of a Stewart racing water pump (highly recommended): 1) better fuel efficiency: MPG's jumped about 1.8 miles per gallon; 2) increased power: What? How so? My mechanic and I can only figure that the combination of the faster impeller in the Stewart with the increased surface coil area of the Mishimoto create a cooler engine and therefore a more efficient engine; 3) the radiator fan shroud needs to go: installation of the deeper Mishimoto creates a tight fit for the fan shroud. Additionally, the metal fitting on the Mishimoto doesn't fully engage the plastic hook of the shroud, permitting the shroud to move and even block the fan.

So it’s hard to say what is attributable to what, but I can generally say that I’m happy with Mishimoto products. I replaced the entire coolant eco system with this Mishimoto radiator (+electric fan), water pump, and thermostat and the car feels like the peppiness went waaay up.

Works great to keep the v8 in my e30 cool.