E30 Zone

Hoping for some assistance with the below...

Car is a 1986 (August) 320i Automatic.

Radiator is leaking badly and fins are very brittle, so time for a change.

Dealer wants c.£360 + VAT for one, so I would rather not.

I have looked in usual places and cant seem to find one listed for my car that has the 2x transmission coolant pipes at the bottom.

I have looked on REALOEM and think this is the one I am after, although it doesn't clearly show the outlets for the coolant pipes at base.
I eventually found this on eBay, still pricey enough, but cant get seller to confirm if it will suit my car - listing says it will suit both manual and Automatic

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSENS-ENGI ... 1438.l2649

Is it possible that both manual & auto radiators are the same and its just the case of removing the coolant plugs to suit?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Michael

Auto rads. for any E30 have two connectors on the LH side for the internal heat exchanger for the auto gearbox fluid.
A radiator for an auto can be used on a manual with no changes or problems, but not the other way around.
The diagrams in the ETK (RealOEM, etc.) are generic diagrams of a radiator, and do not necessarily look anything like what is fitted to your car. This applies to all parts.
Nissens is an extremely good make of radiator, but I'm not at all sure it's the correct one (1711.1.709.352 comes up as obsolete in the ETK, with no superceding number), and as you say, it's expensive in that link.
Try this place: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/ 23% discount at the moment, but generally around 18% off most of the time. Parts come from Germany, so don't expect next day delivery, but I've used them many times with no complaint. There's even an option to insure against ordering the wrong part in the checkout options.

Brian,

Many thanks for your reply.

That's good to know about the radiator being computable with a Manual as, down the line, I would like to swap the box to manual.

Unfortunately, while Autodoc list a suitable replacement, they have no current stock.

When I get the car back on the road, I will consider options and may have to bite the bullet and buy genuine.

Thanks again.

Michael