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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
Anyone replaced their radiator with a Nissens radiator? I have heard they are better quality than the MB Behr.
Experience? Likes? Dislikes? |
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
Nissens are a Danish brand, and the general consensus among my forum members is that they are the only alternative brand of any quality to a Behr. I have been told by some that Nissens units do not have the reinforced neck that Behr replacements do, but I have not confirmed this.
Of course the radiators are model-specific, but I replaced my OE Behr radiator on my 1994 E500 with a Nissens model that was designed specifically for that car. There was an extremely minor fitment issue that I had to take care of (very simple and not much time involved to make the mod), to do with the transmission cooler line mounting, but the radiator fit just fine and has been great ever since.
My HOW-TO article on this: https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4428
I have never heard anyone say that a Nissens is BETTER quality than a Behr, but for the 124 models, at least, the Behr units at one point were being made in South Africa, and in recent years more "Third World" countries not recognized for product quality. I believe Nissens is still made in Denmark, or at least they were.
Cheers,
Gerry |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
I've put two Nissens into a 1998 E300. They appeared to be exact duplicates of the original. Definitely had the reinforced metal neck. Both replacements were caused by the a combination of a teen driver and the low hanging W210 radiator. |
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Ed Mclass
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Vehicle(s): 1958 180a, 2010 GLK, 2000 G 500, 2005 SLK 350
Posts: 1215
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
I installed one in my 2000 G500 in January. Very happy with it!  |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
Ed Mclass - 5/7/2018 8:34 AM
I installed one in my 2000 G500 in January. Very happy with it! :cheers:
Transmission cooling lines connect without issue? |
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kiato4
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2013
Location: New York, NY
Vehicle(s): 1995 G320, 1985 190E 2.3-16
Posts: 161
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
I've installed Nissens radiators in my 1995 G320 and 1986 190E 2.3-16. They are indeed of equivalent quality to Behr, and both have lasted years. Like Gerry, I have heard that Nissens does not reinforce all the necks like Behr does, but I also have not been able to confirm that as both radiators I bought were reinforced.
Transmission coolant lines work without issue. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
Thanks all. This info sent to Harald via Karl. Harald had to use stop leak to get back out from the back of beyond, and needs a new radiator. Looks like Nissens is the obvious choice, as it's less than half the price of an MB replacement. |
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
kiato4 - 5/7/2018 10:36 AM I've installed Nissens radiators in my 1995 G320 and 1986 190E 2.3-16. They are indeed of equivalent quality to Behr, and both have lasted years. Like Gerry, I have heard that Nissens does not reinforce all the necks like Behr does, but I also have not been able to confirm that as both radiators I bought were reinforced. Transmission coolant lines work without issue. Kiato, can you confirm the Nissens model/part number you used for your G320? I need to stockpile a spare radiator for my own G320. Thanks,
Gerry
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
gerryvz - 5/8/2018 12:41 PM
kiato4 - 5/7/2018 10:36 AM I've installed Nissens radiators in my 1995 G320 and 1986 190E 2.3-16. They are indeed of equivalent quality to Behr, and both have lasted years. Like Gerry, I have heard that Nissens does not reinforce all the necks like Behr does, but I also have not been able to confirm that as both radiators I bought were reinforced. Transmission coolant lines work without issue. Kiato, can you confirm the Nissens model/part number you used for your G320? I need to stockpile a spare radiator for my own G320. Thanks,
Gerry
If you know the MB P/N for your radiator, see it it is listed here:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2673848&jsn=3
This is for the G500 and is the best price that I found., but might be the same for your G320.
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
Hi Dutch,
Yes, the EPC does specify that the correct part for my 463.231 (G320) is the 463 500 12 00 radiator. Sweet! It's good to know that there are non-factory alternatives of quality out there.
Thanks for the info.
Cheers,
Gerry |
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| RE: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
DUTCH - 5/7/2018 1:44 PM Thanks all. This info sent to Harald via Karl. Harald had to use stop leak to get back out from the back of beyond, and needs a new radiator. Looks like Nissens is the obvious choice, as it's less than half the price of an MB replacement. The cheapest I can find an "official" MB radiator for is $820 + shipping. Behr units don't seem to be too much more than the Nissens units, from the pricing I can see. Generally around the $400-450 range.
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fernweh
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Calabasas, CA - Centenario, BCS - Luebeck, Germany
Vehicle(s): Few Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Amphibious and a Vespa
| RE: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
Yes, thank you again Dutch, for this radiator info.
Harald was on a adventure mission deep in the Sierra Laguna, Baja California Sur, when a leak/crack appeared in the left side water tank of his original radiator.
He called for help, with just some GPS coordinates, and a friend drove out there to "rescue" him.
Harald and I returned to the mountains the next day, to see if we could remove the radiator, and to apply a temporary fix with an epoxy kit.
The ambient temps were about 37C, good for epoxy, but way to hot for any work....
So, out came the "Radiator Stop Leak" bottle, and some local mountain spring water, which got us out of the backwoods, into the old gold mining town of El Triunfo.
The rest of the way home was done via a flat bed truck, as the bottle fix did not last any further.
Harald might chime in now, looking for a brave soul, to delivery on these fine Nissens radiators. |
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mb230s
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SWFL
Vehicle(s): G-less for now, vintage MBs, FJ40
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
FCP Euro has the Behr for $495 for a 2002 G500 w/ free shipping and lifetime replacement warranty. I just got a Behr compressor, dryer, and MB radiator for my 98 C43 AMG. Paid a bit more then the cheapest web source but MB or OEM supplier and the warranty is well worth the premium.
EDIT - I've figured out occasionally if you put an item in your cart and do NOT check out you may get a 5% discount code the next day reminding you there is something in your online cart.
Edited by mb230s 5/10/2018 9:51 AM
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
mb230s - 5/10/2018 8:43 AM FCP Euro has the Behr for $495 for a 2002 G500 w/ free shipping and lifetime replacement warranty. I just got a Behr compressor, dryer, and MB radiator for my 98 C43 AMG. Paid a bit more then the cheapest web source but MB or OEM supplier and the warranty is well worth the premium. EDIT - I've figured out occasionally if you put an item in your cart and do NOT check out you may get a 5% discount code the next day reminding you there is something in your online cart. My understanding of this 5% spiff is that it only applies to orders that are $200 or greater. They used to apply it across the board, but now there is a $200 floor to get it. Common practice for many e-commerce sites. 
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mb230s
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SWFL
Vehicle(s): G-less for now, vintage MBs, FJ40
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
gerryvz - 5/10/2018 1:31 PM
mb230s - 5/10/2018 8:43 AM FCP Euro has the Behr for $495 for a 2002 G500 w/ free shipping and lifetime replacement warranty. I just got a Behr compressor, dryer, and MB radiator for my 98 C43 AMG. Paid a bit more then the cheapest web source but MB or OEM supplier and the warranty is well worth the premium. EDIT - I've figured out occasionally if you put an item in your cart and do NOT check out you may get a 5% discount code the next day reminding you there is something in your online cart. My understanding of this 5% spiff is that it only applies to orders that are $200 or greater. They used to apply it across the board, but now there is a $200 floor to get it. Common practice for many e-commerce sites.
Entirely possible - but since my last two orders were $500 each it was a nice bonus! |
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kiato4
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2013
Location: New York, NY
Vehicle(s): 1995 G320, 1985 190E 2.3-16
Posts: 161
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
Dutch, Gerry, indeed the Nissens 62599A is what I used on my G320. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
kiato4 - 5/12/2018 10:52 AM
Dutch, Gerry, indeed the Nissens 62599A is what I used on my G320.
The Nissens literature talks about all aluminum radiators. Are the side pieces aluminum or plastic like the Behr? Curious. |
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kiato4
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2013
Location: New York, NY
Vehicle(s): 1995 G320, 1985 190E 2.3-16
Posts: 161
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
Plastic |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
kiato4 - 5/15/2018 8:57 AM
Plastic
Thanks Peter! |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| Re: Nissens Radiator on a G500 ?
radiator arrived a couple of days ago - if only I could find the right antifreeze
it is challenging to live in a 3rd world country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zd4KaTNdXM&t=29s
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