'97 BMW 540i radiator problems

[dlenehan]

I have a '97 BMW 540i which has just lost all fluid for the THIRD time due to radiator failures. On one occasion, the single metal part on the radiator had rusted through. On the other two occasions, the nipple of this high temperature plastic (perhaps not plastic, but some non-metal material) radiator snapped off! The guy who just towed me, said he has seen this same failure on over 30 BMWs in a period of about 4 years.

Its happened twice to me requiring the replacement of the entire radiator. BMW paid for it once on warranty, but I have to fit the bill this time. Seems like a trend to me.

Has anyone else experienced this nipple snapping radiator failure?

 

[Mcguyver2]

radiator option

I have seen this twice to car of a freind.
ABMW guru friend of mine that operates an indepentant shop in Oxford, Ms. Solved the problem by up grading to a 7 series radiator, however I can not remember what year. This freind-girl has not had a problem in over 2 1/2 years.

 

[Abdoman]

This is a very common problem on BMWs. I seems that the radiators commonly fail at the 70-80k mile mark. I have heard that there is a metal tank replacement out there, but I have only had to buy one radiator, and it was a few years ago.