Cracked radiator
 

Need to vent. My 09 E70 decided to start leaking coolant, right after I ran out of warranty. After a few weeks of topping up, had it inspected - 2 cracks in the rad.

Looks like BMW is up to something, as they are selling newer radiators with an adapter for older models - in other words they had a design flaw.

$979.76 later, I'm on the road again...

Sorry to hear that. What is your build month, and can you please explain the difference(s) between the "old" radiator and the modified one? Was this modified area where your cracking happened or was it somewhere else? Also, I'm not sure they have different radiators, but is your vehicle a diesel or petrol?

Edit: Checked your profile. E70 3.0 Premium

plastic end tank cracked or where the aluminum core and end tanks meet?

Ouch sorry to hear that. If you're mechanically inclined and have any issues in the future you could save a few bucks and change it out yourself, radiators are typically not a difficult part to change on bimmers. I hope this doesn't turn into a re occurring issue on the E70 3.0, but if it does you can find the new style OEM radiators HERE.

ECS Tuning

BMW is know for cracking radiators. I seem to recall the tech editor of the Roundel magazine actually recommends a preventative radiator replacement around 100K or so, although I'm only 80% sure of that memory.

@Bluetec - It was built in March 09 and it's a 3.0 gasoline engine.

From what I understand, there was a change in the part, in 2011, and a bit of a "campaign" to use the new ones in case of problems - as far as I'm concerned it's as good as an admission, that the old design was flawed. There is no "modified" area as per se - it's just different looking, and seems to be made out of a slightly different material (almost like a different grade of aluminum).

@fast4d - The cracks were in the actual aluminum rad, on both sides (i.e. left and right) near the bottom.

@ECS - while I'm very mechanically inclined, there was a time factor involved :( I got the rad from BMW, with a 15% discount, and paid very little for the labour - only around $150, so the convenience factor was the deciding one. At the same time, you would have saved me $300 on the part, so shame on me for doing this in a hurry, however I didn't have much choice - cracks were widening, and I was literally topping up every few days. Oh, and there is warranty on it now, for a year, and I'm changing my car next year :) Either to the new 2014 Х5 or an X6.

@DrSavant

Thanks for providing the level of detail you have. It helps everyone to understand the nature of the problem and maybe what to look for, especially on that last visit or two before warranty runs out.

crack is in the AL portion? that's somewhat rare....unless it was hit by road debris or a defect.

Couldn't be debris, as it's in the rear, i.e. facing the engine. Please clarify on AL :)

@Bluetec - that's what forums are for :)