Do NOT buy radiator CSF3632!
 

Hi everyone. I had problems for a couple months with my car not blowing any heat and engine not getting up to temp. I did the usual tests, replaced thermostat, etc. And then found out that it had to do with my recently installed radiator, a CSF3632. Keep in mind this only applies to the early model years when it had a bottom hose on the passenger side going into the thermostat. What happened is the trans cooler cell in the bottom wasnt sealed properly and allowing coolant to bypass the thermostat. I ordered a replacement thinking it was only a problem on this one unit, it came faulty as well, and then a Spectra that was a re-boxed CSF with the same problems. This caused me a lot of grief dealing with CSF (who were no help in even acknowledging the problem) and a parts supplier and ended up costing me several shipping fees. I'm leaving keywords here so maybe someone who's looking for a radiator or diagnosing can use the advice.

X5 e70 n52 3.0 no heat, thermostat, radiator

So their part doesn’t meet the specifications and they still charge shipping? I’d charge it back via my CC company.

Did a quick google search, found this:

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1588798

Email for Ravi, the owner....

Report back!

Thank you very much, I will email him. Although it is not CSF that shipped me the radiators, it was Rockauto. They refunded the shipping on the first one but didnt believe me for the two next ones, although I took a video demonstrating the problem, and offered to have it tested by a BMW mechanic. I sent an email to both CSF and Spectra (who sells the CSF3632 under their name as well) to try to have them look at the radiators and perhaps pull them from the market if they're built defective (no reply from CSF, I think I got a generic message from Spectra mentioning they would look into it but no follow up). I am sure that in California weather it can work but here when its in the minuses for months at a time it really didnt dit it. No heat at all plus the engine running in the low 100°f, perhaps causing accelerated wear to my engine and catalytic converter.

I estimate the shipping costs I incurred on the last two units at around 300$ CAD, considering the shipping back on one of them alone was 165$. I bought a 100$ thermostat thinking it would fix the issue. Spent several hours googling and worrying about it. Considering in the end I went with another brand, I dont expect anything from CSF personally but I wish they would fix that part or stop selling it. I will update with Mr Dolwani's response if there is one. Thanks again

I would try FCP next time.

I totally would but I'm in Québec and Rockauto is the only supplier that usually doesn't skin you alive on shipping. The same radiator would have cost me a bit more in the end. Why do you prefer them?

Customer service. Plus they are way more transparent about OE vs OEM vs Aftermarket. If FCP calls a part an OEM, you can be pretty sure that MFG made the part for BMW. At least that was my experience when I was buying a lot. Rock auto is kinda ‘we’re cheap, why all the questions’.

Maybe unfair, but thats my read....

Ah well if I need something OE specifically I trust germanparts.ca. More expensive, but reliable.

My opinion is not set against Rockauto customer service yet, they had been good before this and who knows what will happen after speaking to the owner of CSF. I would be happy if Rockauto just acknowledged I'm not crazy and the parts weren't good.

I buy from all the known/reliable places, but prefer FCP where possible and especially if it's a part I care about warranty as they have one of the best return policies I've ever seen. You pay for it for sure, but with critical parts (e.g. alternator, in my case), so long as they never go out of business ... any issues at all and I can return it no questions asked.

I have had to return a few parts (my own fault, not theirs) and each time was super painless, minus the self-inflicted part that is. :bustingup

I had a cowling part sitting in the box and the return slip once for a full six months (maybe longer?) collecting dust in the garage just cause I'm super good at procrastinating and had no issues getting the refund two or three days after I handed it to FedEx.