Thoughts on new radiator type
 

I have the option of a "Nissens" or the original OEM "Behr" (which also costs more).

Do you guys out there have any thoughts about the "mfg" on the radiator type for a 1997 W210?

I did check the threads but don't see anything.

i;ve gone with nissens.... can't complain.... others will tell you behr is a very good option

All I know is that Nissen reinforces there hose connections wth pipe.So in fact they are better made.

The New Nissens are not re-inforced with pipe inserts.

I recently bought a NOS Nissens with the pipe inserts for my 2000 MY W210 on Ebay for 100/- The original valeo italian made radiator was leaking ATF into the coolant.

Look around, you may find one or buy the new style nissens, they dont need the inserts according to Nissens themselves.

Go with a Behr. Where you live it is probably 110 degrees outside right now because they cool much better. This is a nice car.

-Joey

The old Valeo radiator I took out of my W210 with MB star on it has extremely fine cooling fins and the Nissens I put in is what my W124 BEHR OE radiator looks like with regular wide separated cooling fins.

Both radiators show the exact same behaviour in 105F weather in Houston. If the core dimensions are similar the cooling potential is the same. Whilst I was shopping around I came across a Mexican made radiator (pacific something) which was designed like the Valeo part but was about 1/2 inch thinner. I think that would not be good.

Most plastic rads used on modern cars / trucks don't have inserts. If the plastic is properly designed they are not needed.

Having inserts is kind of like a Chevy V8 having to use 4 bolt mains when used in a truck because the block is so flimsy.

My biggest complaint with Nissens is the overly bulbous end on the radiator nipple. You might as well plan on replacing your expansion tank hose because if it doesn't split when you force it over this poorly shaped nipple, it will soon after.

...so global warming is primarily caused by Behr radiators? Interesting... I always knew those darn Germans were behind it all.

FYI - Fins per inch is a major factor in radiator performance. More are better!

I went and bought a "Nissens"...install went great. No issues. I was happy to see it was made in Europe, specifically Denmark.

FWIW, Nissens was great. However when I broke the drain plug, you gotta order a new one online aka you ain't driving the car. I was stuck and ended up having to go buy a Behr since they use the OE MB plug so you can always head to the dealer if it happens and replace it. Not so with Nissens.

The Nissens performed excellently in 115F for the last 2 summers before the drain plug went. IMO, order a spare drain plug, or don't use the plug at all when doing coolant changes and remove the hose instead.

Wow, a week into the car running after installation the "Nissens" started leaking from the drainplug area. Now I am going to have to reinstall a "Behr" unit....should have known better from the start...gosh darnit....return it...more fluid...what an ultimate expensive lesson.

Leaking from the actual drain plug or the end tank crimp? Are you sure it isn't a hose connection.