E36 Radiator

[grantfk10]

Quick question folks - will an E30 M40 radiator fit an E36 316i ?

My E36 316i touring(1999) just lost it's radiator, the expansion tank has a massive split in it. I was considering taking the radiator off my M40 cabby as a quick fix - will it fit?

[BadDave]

You'll find the E30 one is approx 30-40mm narrower Grant.
You'd need to come up with a way of supporting one side of it and prevent the bottom from moving about.

[grantfk10]

Cheers for that Dave - was just an idea........... looks like I'll need to source a proper E36 rad then.........

[Ziggy]

I have a rad from an e30 316i touring in my e36 318i touring. Identical as far as I could see. The tank comes off anyway...

[BadDave]

I have a rad from an e30 316i touring in my e36 318i touring. Identical as far as I could see. The tank comes off anyway...

Hmmmm that's strange

When I used the E36 rad in the E30 it was physically wider by 30-40mm and the bottom didn't sit right on the plastic support bracket.

May be best to measure the width of the one you have Grant.
It may well be the same width

[grantfk10]

If I find it's only the expansion tank that is the problem, are they interchangeable?

[grantfk10]

May be best to measure the width of the one you have Grant.
It may well be the same width

Will do - the cabby is in the garage, and the touring has been abandoned in Airdrie at my work
Luckily they gave me the use of a car to get home tonight......... A Honda Jazz

[Ziggy]

The tank comes off, and looks as identical as the rad to me.

[grantfk10]

Cheers Ziggy

[grantfk10]

Job done, I sourced another E36 rad - the touring is back up and running!

[Ziggy]

Just out of interest, did you investigate whether the E30 rad would have done the job in the end?

When the rad on my E36 split, it was followed by the water pump (may well have been the initial cause I guess), and then the head gasket - hope you're more lucky!