Anyone have experience with aftermarket elect. fans?
 

I just removed the electric fans on my '90 300CE because neither of them spin easily, and they work erratically (usually only when I rap them with the handle of a screwdriver). As an alternative to buying new OEM fans, I was thinking about installing a large aftermarket electric fan, and would like to know if anyone as done this, and what name brands I should shop for. www.summitracing.com has fans from many different companies, and I just don't know if one is better than the next.

Why an aftermarket fan? Well, this car has always run warm in traffic with the a/c on, and I think a fan that moves more air would help. Secondly, I was shocked to see how restrictive the factory electric-fan shroud is, and again, I think leaving it off the car would help cooling in hot weather. Did anyone know that the stock shroud restrics about half of the condensor and radiator? It just doesn't seem like a good design. I'm all for keeping my cars the way MB engineers designed them, but perhaps this is one situation where newer technology, or hindsight, may provide a better alternative.

Thoughts?

GregS
'84 300D, 182k
'90 300CE, 173k

An aftermarket fan could possibly work but not better than the original set-up, if it is in good working condition.
You said these cars do not show a very good design (air restriction). I don't quite agree.
If the car overheats in traffic, it is not because of poor design but it is due to some faulty coolant system components on your car.
I can let my car idle for hours in heavy traffic in a 100deg.+ heat, and it will never overheat.
If you decide to go with an aftermarket fan, it would be for economical reason, not to improve the original design.
JackD