Need to do the whole cooling system

[chivas]

what brands are reliable now? I see a lot of new brands since my E39 days and now I'm not even sure who's good, who's gone to hell and who's gone from the teenage dirtbag to prom queen...

Radiator

Thermostat

Water pump and gaskets

upper and lower hoses

expansion tank

cap

bleeder screw

belts

fan clutch

fan (.... might not do this)

Thanks!!

[g300d]

I've replaced most of the parts and based on my own research used the following, with no problems so far:

Radiator - Behr

Thermostat - Wahler

Water pump and gaskets - Saleri (do check the water pump pulley, it's plastic and can develop cracks.

upper and lower hoses - BMW OE

expansion tank - BMW OE

cap - Reutter

bleeder screw - BMW OE

belts - Conti Tech

fan clutch - Behr and Sachs

fan - which one? Clutch fan or electric? I put a Behr pusher fan, clutch fan has been good and never had to change one out.

I suggest doing the belt tensioners/pulleys and idler pulleys while you're at it. I used INA for these. I'd take a look at the heater hoses that share the coolant circuit, did these too with BMW OE hoses.

[chivas]

Thanks! Never heard of INA. I see a lot of Hella branded items. Really? When did they become a player in the game?

[chivas]

Is Gates a good manufacture?

[Joshdub]

INA and Hella are both OEM and have been for years. Even my E30 has original parts made by Hella.

Gates is a pretty popular brand for belts.

[g300d]

INA has been a player for a long time. They are part of the same group that owns FAG bearings.

Another brand for pulleys is Rueville, which I rembered just now because I just did the belt tensioner pulley while doing the oil filter housing gasket.

Hella is good as well, the radiator I used was marked Hella - Behr IIRC.

Gates I remember being mentioned in a few forums for belts and pulleys and I dont remember any complaints.