Pirate thermostat

[AcidBurn]

Sup guys

im almost sure i have a thermostat thats stuck open as per all the threads i have seen here and on the interweb.

i will be replacing it in the very near future just to not have things go kaboom, i made a few calls to different shops and the agents of course just to get an idea on pricing, i received the following prices thus far.

Agents = R1220
Mech1 = R990
Goldwagen = R630
Master parts = R868

now my question is would the Goldwagen one be just fine to use or am i wasting my money there or should i just opt for a more expensive one from the other stores.

Im not prepared to pay for the agents part if a pirate part is just as good for less money as the other money i can use on coolant etc.

would appreciate any feed back please

thanks

car = 330i e46

 

[Solo Man]

I had a e36 316i 1995 which i bought three years ago and immediately replaced the waterpump and thermostat with "pirate" parts. Well, about exactly three years later the car overheated. Well, actually, the needle went for the red but the person driving noticed it and switched off the car. Needed some water and after giving it time to cool down filled with water. Long story short, i took out the thermostat and found that the plastic clip that holds the metal part of the thermostat in position had broken and the thermo had twisted and got stuck. Fortunately in the open position. The car had done about 50k km in the three years. This was an unfortunate experience and would not probably happen with every aftermarket/pirate thermostat, but it did give me reason to worry about all the aftermarket thermos and waterpumps i have in my other BM's!!! Will be keeping an eye or two on the thermometer when driving from now on! must say, i will not easily buy the cheapes part on the market but try and get something in the middle of the price range, Waterpumps especially varies quite a lot in price for the different makes. I try and stay away from Italian waterpumps/thermos (or any other part for that matter) and try and get parts made in Germany most of the time.

 

[zaleonardz]

That and the thermostat may arrrr a lot

 

[AcidBurn]

bump

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That and the thermostat may arrrr a lot

:tease:

real funny man but i need an answer please

will be doing this real soon

 

[SP33DYV]

If it was my 330i, I would get the thermostat from the dealers and ask for discount. That's just me.

 

[AcidBurn]

If it was my 330i, I would get the thermostat from the dealers and ask for discount. That's just me.

the above price is discount included

 

[AdiS]

I don't think I would compromise on teh cooling system.

 

[SP33DYV]

R1040 including VAT at Auto Bavaria. Just spoke to Jannie.

 

[zaleonardz]

Sensible answer, hmmm.....

Agents are going to rip you off that is for sure.

But now, do you want to put in a piece of chinese crap that could cost you your motor.

I say, if you can get a brand make thermostat aftermarket, pref Behr or a well established brand, then go for it, if not, pay the dealer motor before somebody tells you that you have warped your alloy block, and you need a motor replacement..

 

[rick540]

Would you seriously risk your engine for R400?

 

[AcidBurn]

Would you seriously risk your engine for R400?

good asnwer:ty:

not worth what's being saved:thumbs:

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R1040 including VAT at Auto Bavaria. Just spoke to Jannie.

they seem to be located in JHB or am i mistaken?

any other contacts in CPT please

btw thats an awesome price

my price above is what i got from SMG Cape Town/Century City and that includes a discount

 

[Mohammed01234]

Brilliantly replied Rick,i follow that motto everyday! :thumbs:


rather spend an extra R400 now than a R4000 or R40 000 later due to Aftermarket Parts Failure

Would you seriously risk your engine for R400?

 

[AcidBurn]

Brilliantly replied Rick,i follow that motto everyday! :thumbs:


rather spend an extra R400 now than a R4000 or R40 000 later due to Aftermarket Parts Failure

Would you seriously risk your engine for R400?

indeed!:ty:

 

[Charlie Brown]

Please correct me if wrong here but I was under the impression that the stock plastic thermostat housing was a cause for concern and a replacement in aluminium was the better option ?

 

[AcidBurn]

R1040 including VAT at Auto Bavaria. Just spoke to Jannie.

they seem to be located in JHB or am i mistaken?

any other contacts in CPT please

btw thats an awesome price

my price above is what i got from SMG Cape Town/Century City and that includes a discount

bump for an answer please

 

[The K-Man]

No problem with cheaper thermostat.
And a stat stuck open shouldn't cause overheating. Car should run cooler on straights and little warmer in traffic. There's vicous fan that should kick in plus aux fan(s) if heat goes up.

 

[SP33DYV]

Would you seriously risk your engine for R400?

good asnwer:ty:

not worth what's being saved:thumbs:

---

R1040 including VAT at Auto Bavaria. Just spoke to Jannie.

they seem to be located in JHB or am i mistaken?

any other contacts in CPT please

btw thats an awesome price

my price above is what i got from SMG Cape Town/Century City and that includes a discount

---

Yes, unfortunately they are in Midrand, Gauteng.:thumbdo:

 

[AcidBurn]

Yes, unfortunately they are in Midrand, Gauteng.:thumbdo:

not a problem i managed to get a great price from my contact at SMG going to be picking up hopefully tomorrow or next week

Price = R1045

so im happy

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No problem with cheaper thermostat.
And a stat stuck open shouldn't cause overheating. Car should run cooler on straights and little warmer in traffic. There's vicous fan that should kick in plus aux fan(s) if heat goes up.

Majority of the people that posted here say no no on to aftermarket/pirate thermostat and you come along and mess my mind up again lol

Spill your experiences and knowledge on NON OEM thermostats so we can all learn and save money

Nah no overheating my side, car just runs really cold especially in the morning on my way to work as i travel open road. In traffic she goes up to normal then once i drive it drops again but not too low.

Dought the heat will ever go up as long as that thermostat is open, problem i am worried about is when that guy decides to shut close then my nightmares begin.
I figured seeing that i have a faulty or not normal operating thermostat i want to change it out. My other concern is the car obviously users more fuel as its always thinking its cold when in fact its not, plus we all can do with fuel saving especially with the current price of fuel.

 

[SP33DYV]

Cool, I'm glad SMG is sorting you out.:thumbs:

 

[Charlie Brown]

Have only used OEM on the 318i - so no comment here.

@ the K-man - no viscous on the 330i, just single electric.

In a perfect world I'd guess we'd all prefer ali ones - but as we risk questions around the aftermarket quality (China etc) the safer bet would be the plastic dealer route.