3rd Water Pump/T-stat in 3 Years

[lt2mc]

Ok, getting kind of bummed here. First cold spell of the year, so I needed to use the heater. After a short 15 mile commute, I get home and coolant is leaking from the WP side of the vehicle (07, E70, 3.0). Last pump purchased from the dealership went in 7k miles ago. I do pray it is not the WP, I can tolerate a new T-stat every year, but not a pump. I will tear into the vehicle this weekend and see if I can id the leak. The plan is to pull the RF wheel and well, then pressurize the system. I do hope it is just a loose clamp. Anyone have any other thoughts, suggestions, moral support? Sorry, more of a vent then a plea for help.

[Skyline]

One tip when installing BMW radiator hoses: Do not push the hose on with the metal clip retracted. Seat the metal clip in its installed position, then push the hose strait on. The clip will snap into place as the hose is pushed on.

[Stockx5]

Not an authority on BMW's here but it seems the thermostat issue is a bmw acheles heel across the board.

it seems likely bmw purposely cheaped out on them as a gimmick to keep cars coming back.

When I replaced my oem unit with a Beck and arnley unit the latter seemed to have a thicker copper core and possibly built more robust than the oem. (why would back and arnley shell out more copper $$$ unless it's absolutely integral to the part?)

So what Im saying is why not try aftermarket? the oem unit is only lasting you a year so how much worse can the aftermarket be? My opinion is the opposite from popular opinion.

the after market unit is probably better built than the oem.

P.S I drive a x5d not sure if we have the same thermostats. But my opinion is still the same.

[lt2mc]

Thanks for the responses, all good advice. As of now, without actually getting eyes on target, I am planning on new coolant hoses and thermostat. Tomorrow night, I will focus my attention on the coolant line between the heater core and T-stat, since it all seems to have started when I used the heater for the first this year.
I don't mind the work, just hate dropping $700 - $800 every year on parts and consumables. If it weren't for the cooling system, the vehicle would not be so bad.
BTW, I tell all my friends BMWs are owned by two types of people, those who enjoy working on cars, and those who can afford for others to work on their cars. I am the latter.