OE Oil Cooler NLA?!? Alternatives?!

Ed Doe

Ed Doe

Veteran
 Ashbourne or Frimley
Hi all,

I'm waiting on confirmation from bmw Germany but I believe the M oil cooler is now lo on nger available from bmw :(

Bit of a long shot but does anyone have a new one kicking about or know of one in stock at their local dealer?

Alternatively I'm definitely not against an upgraded cooler - but there seems to be nothing available in z4 fitment - it's all e46 m3 fitment. Anyone know of a kit for the Z4m or what might fit?

Thanks in advance!

Ed
 
I'm sure Beedub fitted an uprated oil cooler to his supercharged Z4MR, as I got his original one for mine :P
 
It shouldn't be too difficult to adapt an aftermarket cooler to fit with some custom brackets, adapters and AN lines if the stock mounting locations and lines do not work. do88, CSF, Mishimoto are a few aftermarket options. A new stock E46 M3 cooler could work with the lines rerouted and custom mounts.

There is also this used unit - https://www.ebay.com/itm/166955359353?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOoqVQoSqa3pRVmls0_DISnl0_DTmJYobiK2hVupyA1QLY_FEaDsx3UU
 
Slideways said:
It shouldn't be too difficult to adapt an aftermarket cooler to fit with some custom brackets, adapters and AN lines if the stock mounting locations and lines do not work. do88, CSF, Mishimoto are a few aftermarket options. A new stock E46 M3 cooler could work with the lines rerouted and custom mounts.

There is also this used unit - https://www.ebay.com/itm/166955359353?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOoqVQoSqa3pRVmls0_DISnl0_DTmJYobiK2hVupyA1QLY_FEaDsx3UU
Click to expand...

I definitely don't want a used unit, too much money for something that may not last very long.

My preference is to find an oe or near as possible drop in replacement.

I'm not entirely averse to using a cooler from another BMW and making it fit, and as you say there are plenty of options for the e46 m3, however I can't seem to find dimensions of the e86 cooler or the e46 cooler to check the e46 is the right width and depth to fit! From what I have found the e46 oil cooler fits below the radiator, whereas the e86 cooler fits in front of the radiator, hence my queries relating to depth and width - the e46 outlets are facing rearwards whereas the e86 outlets are directly out of one end - be a right pain to buy the e46 one only to realise the inlet and outlet ports point directly into where the radiator (or cooling fan) sits!

I'm considering a do88 cooler and making up some lines to fit it, but as I say, I just want to try and figure out what physically will fit to minimise fettling.
 
Ed Doe said:
Slideways said:
It shouldn't be too difficult to adapt an aftermarket cooler to fit with some custom brackets, adapters and AN lines if the stock mounting locations and lines do not work. do88, CSF, Mishimoto are a few aftermarket options. A new stock E46 M3 cooler could work with the lines rerouted and custom mounts.

There is also this used unit - https://www.ebay.com/itm/166955359353?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOoqVQoSqa3pRVmls0_DISnl0_DTmJYobiK2hVupyA1QLY_FEaDsx3UU
Click to expand...

I definitely don't want a used unit, too much money for something that may not last very long.

My preference is to find an oe or near as possible drop in replacement.

I'm not entirely averse to using a cooler from another BMW and making it fit, and as you say there are plenty of options for the e46 m3, however I can't seem to find dimensions of the e86 cooler or the e46 cooler to check the e46 is the right width and depth to fit! From what I have found the e46 oil cooler fits below the radiator, whereas the e86 cooler fits in front of the radiator, hence my queries relating to depth and width - the e46 outlets are facing rearwards whereas the e86 outlets are directly out of one end - be a right pain to buy the e46 one only to realise the inlet and outlet ports point directly into where the radiator (or cooling fan) sits!

I'm considering a do88 cooler and making up some lines to fit it, but as I say, I just want to try and figure out what physically will fit to minimise fettling.
Click to expand...

There are not many of these out there, so you have to experiment or get a used unit. Oil coolers should last 100k miles or more. They mainly get wear and tear from debris hitting them, but still function. You'll have to compare the image on the Z4M cooler to the other ones that are on other S54 powered cars - E46 M3, Z3 M - and find the closest one. When stuff gets discontinued for a low production model, you have to get creative. The used unit actually looks good and it is from a fairly low mileage car. Most Z4M don't have a ton of miles, so the parts can still be good to use for many miles.
 
Ed - don’t have answer on e46 vs Z4 differences but perhaps you can reach out to Radtec. Not sure if they’re local to you but perhaps they’d be willing to work with you for test fitting

https://www.radtec.co.uk/shop/radiators/bmw/e46-m3/e46-m3-oil-cooler/
 
For that money you could take your existing one to an aftermarket company like Serck and get them to replicate it. If there truly is no aftermarket replica then they might be happy to do you one at a discount for giving them the pattern :)
 
NLA is going to be more and more of a problem I guess. If you find a 3rd party cooler that does the job please post the details
 
Ive got an M6 oil cooler in mine, but its not drop in replacement, its 1.6L of extra capacity.. easy enough to do though withn a bit of furbing.
 
Vanne said:
Ive got an M6 oil cooler in mine, but its not drop in replacement, its 1.6L of extra capacity.. easy enough to do though withn a bit of furbing.
Click to expand...

Other than brackets, what else was involved? Did you have to cut any trim? Pics would be helpful :)
 
Dubbedown said:
Vanne said:
Ive got an M6 oil cooler in mine, but its not drop in replacement, its 1.6L of extra capacity.. easy enough to do though withn a bit of furbing.
Click to expand...

Other than brackets, what else was involved? Did you have to cut any trim? Pics would be helpful :)
Click to expand...

this! and a part number for the cooler! :) Did you use modified lines?
 
Ed Doe said:
Dubbedown said:
Vanne said:
Ive got an M6 oil cooler in mine, but its not drop in replacement, its 1.6L of extra capacity.. easy enough to do though withn a bit of furbing.
Click to expand...

Other than brackets, what else was involved? Did you have to cut any trim? Pics would be helpful :)
Click to expand...

this! and a part number for the cooler! :) Did you use modified lines?
Click to expand...

FWIW I still think Radtec is good/viable option if you’re willing to be the guinea pig (and/or pay them a visit) :)
 
Dubbedown said:
FWIW I still think Radtec is good/viable option if you’re willing to be the guinea pig (and/or pay them a visit) :)
Click to expand...

I'm only an hour down the road from them, I've dropped them an email, will see what they say.

Anyone else actually interested in an OE-fit potentially larger capacity oil cooler? Might be easier if there's a list of people wanting to buy one rather than just me! :lol:
 
Ed Doe said:
Dubbedown said:
FWIW I still think Radtec is good/viable option if you’re willing to be the guinea pig (and/or pay them a visit) :)
Click to expand...

I'm only an hour down the road from them, I've dropped them an email, will see what they say.

Anyone else actually interested in an OE-fit potentially larger capacity oil cooler? Might be easier if there's a list of people wanting to buy one rather than just me! :lol:
Click to expand...

Put me down on the list
 
OE is probably the better way to go for you guys..

FLpBnGg.jpg

All bolted up, yeah all custom AN10 lines

PFU8Yvs.jpg

M6 cooler before removed the return line and welded the AN10 mounts on it.
 
Ed Doe said:
Hi all,

I'm waiting on confirmation from bmw Germany but I believe the M oil cooler is now lo on nger available from bmw :(

Bit of a long shot but does anyone have a new one kicking about or know of one in stock at their local dealer?

Alternatively I'm definitely not against an upgraded cooler - but there seems to be nothing available in z4 fitment - it's all e46 m3 fitment. Anyone know of a kit for the Z4m or what might fit?

Thanks in advance!

Ed
Click to expand...
What’s the part number?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom