Radiator hoses - any alternatives?

M

mjennings23

Senior member
 North West
Hello!

So I'm going to change my cooling system at next service, with the exception of the radiator which has been changed by a previous owner.

My question is this - is there any recommendations regarding hoses, or is the general consensus stick with OEM?

The only alternative I can find is from Vaico, which reading reviews are not exactly confidence inspiring...
 
Good question - I'd also like to know the answer so I can include the hoses as part of a cooling system refresh on my E86.

Chris
 
Mike will no doubt chip in when he sees this, for the expansion tank defo OE or quality OEM (rather than non branded junk), not so sure about the hoses but expect the same.
 
I did a cooling system overhaul a couple of years ago - at about 110,000 miles - and I don't think any hoses needed replacing.

I did do water pump, rad, oil cooler, thermostat, etc.
 
Scooba_Steve said:
Mike will no doubt chip in when he sees this, for the expansion tank defo OE or quality OEM (rather than non branded junk), not so sure about the hoses but expect the same.
Click to expand...

Already have a Hella tank ready, along with a Wahler thermostat and Meyle pump. Its just the hoses, I'm thinking I just bite the bullet and get OEM from the dealer.
 
mmm-five said:
I did a cooling system overhaul a couple of years ago - at about 110,000 miles - and I don't think any hoses needed replacing.

I did do water pump, rad, oil cooler, thermostat, etc.
Click to expand...

likewise... I changed a pump and stat on a 100k+ Z4 3.0si last year, no need to change any of the hoses.

But if you're going belt and braces go with OEM from a dealer, at least you know the parts will fit together correctly.
 
No plans to be selling this car anytime soon, so figure I should just do it properly. As it turns out OEM can be had for a reasonable price compared to the Vaico ones most sites seem to sell.

Ordered today the upper and lower hoses, block to radiator hose, level sensor and expansion tank from the dealer for £172, which is about the same price as I could get the stuff from a supplier in Germany
 
mjennings23 said:
Scooba_Steve said:
Mike will no doubt chip in when he sees this, for the expansion tank defo OE or quality OEM (rather than non branded junk), not so sure about the hoses but expect the same.
Click to expand...

Already have a Hella tank ready, along with a Wahler thermostat and Meyle pump. Its just the hoses, I'm thinking I just bite the bullet and get OEM from the dealer.
Click to expand...

Lol - Hoses wise, unless they are damaged, it's usually just the O rings at the ends that perish. I've replaced a few that were weeping and have been fine since. The hoses are expensive from BMW, like over £100 for just the top and bottom rad ones...

However, as there are so many, even Euro do not carry them.

mmm-five said:
I did a cooling system overhaul a couple of years ago - at about 110,000 miles - and I don't think any hoses needed replacing.

I did do water pump, rad, oil cooler, thermostat, etc.
Click to expand...

THIS is what I would be doing, with possibly the expansion tank as a precautionary measure, as well as the ATF cooling system thermostat if you have an auto (it's located at the bottom of the rad)

Mike
 
They probably don't need doing, this is true, but I'm looking at keeping this car for the foreseeable future so don't see any harm in getting things replaced while I'm at it anyway. Figured pipes are worth doing as they'll be out of the car anyway when changing the tank and thermostat.

Anyway, parts are all on the way so will be done in a couple of weeks. Went with OEM pipes.
 
mjennings23 said:
They probably don't need doing, this is true, but I'm looking at keeping this car for the foreseeable future so don't see any harm in getting things replaced while I'm at it anyway. Figured pipes are worth doing as they'll be out of the car anyway when changing the tank and thermostat.

Anyway, parts are all on the way so will be done in a couple of weeks. Went with OEM pipes.
Click to expand...

Did you replace them all? What sort of £ is involved.

Mike
 
3 hoses, so both rad hoses and the block to expansion tank hose. £48 each for the rad ones and around £40 for the other I believe, also have a Hella tank coming with new level sensor and cap, Wahler thermostat and Meyle pump/pulley. Think the total cost all in is around £250, obviously the pipes themselves making up the bulk of that.
 
mjennings23 said:
3 hoses, so both rad hoses and the block to expansion tank hose. £48 each for the rad ones and around £40 for the other I believe, also have a Hella tank coming with new level sensor and cap, Wahler thermostat and Meyle pump/pulley. Think the total cost all in is around £250, obviously the pipes themselves making up the bulk of that.
Click to expand...

What about the heater hoses, you not replacing them?

Mike
 
Undecided on them, never heard of anyone having an issue with the heater hoses on the Zed or similar generation BMW, whereas I have heard of failures on the other hoses. I may have a look at them too.
 
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