Behr vs. Nissens vs. No Name raditors - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

marybeth · #1 08-22-2009, 10:35 PM

Behr $389
Nissens $281
No Name $180

Anyone have anything Good/Bad stories? Is one worth $100,> $200> more then another?

My 1983 300SD $100 MB (Not!) has the orginal Radiator and looking to replace it.

pawoSD · #2 08-22-2009, 10:39 PM

I've used both Behr and Nissens (my 300SD I bought a Behr for a replacement).....and on my 300E it has a Nissens replacement from a few years ago....both seem to be of high quality. I would not use a no-name unit, very likely its china junk.

Stick with Nissens (Made in Denmark) or Behr (Made in Germany)

lietuviai · #3 08-22-2009, 10:58 PM

I have a Nissens in my 300D and I'm very happy with it. Put side by side with a Behr and I saw little difference between them. The quality looks as good as the Behr.

fruitcakesa · #4 08-22-2009, 11:42 PM

I put a no name in my 81. Copper core with brass tanks; It fit ok but there is no bottom drain plug. Only run it for 3k miles so far.

lietuviai · #5 08-23-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fruitcakesa

I put a no name in my 81. Copper core with brass tanks; It fit ok but there is no bottom drain plug. Only run it for 3k miles so far.

I imagine the necks will never break off that one.

2.5Turbo · #6 08-23-2009, 05:26 AM

Mine needs a radiator as well. For the 90-93 300D the Behr is about the same price as the Nissens, so I'm going to go with Behr. They're harder to find, but I'd like to stay OE, and why not for about the same price?

Mark DiSilvestro · #7 08-23-2009, 06:35 AM

Last year, I put an aftermarket radiator in my non-turbo '84 Euro 300TD. Don't remember but it might be a Nissens. Cost $320 and it's made in Holland. At least it's not seeping coolant like the original Behr, and I won't have to worry about the hose-neck breaking (for quite awhile). Might have gone with a replacement brass radiator, but those are made in Taiwan or China and I couldn't find one to inspect.

Happy Motoring, Mark

snookwhaler · #8 08-23-2009, 12:13 PM

One thing I found is that the BEHR core is much thicker than the no name. Maybe a whole extra row thicker? I have not actually seen a Nissens in person, so not sure about that one.

The no name DOES cool the same as the BEHR though. I have had a no name $150 radiator in there for 2 months now with no issues so far.

tbomachines · #9 08-23-2009, 01:59 PM

I just got a Nissens for my 300SD. It is still sitting in the box (shop hasn't gotten back to me yet...grrr...) so if you want any specific pictures or anything, let me know. $281 from Phil, got it within 24 hours!!

oldsinner111 · #10 08-23-2009, 02:05 PM

Which ever you buy find metal sleeve for hose ends,and expoxy.

Mark DiSilvestro · #11 08-23-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

Which ever you buy find metal sleeve for hose ends,and expoxy.

I'm not too worried about my wagon's new replacement Dutch radiator, but I've made temporary sleeve-repairs to a couple old Behr radiators in friends cars, and one problem with sleeves is not all the radiator hose-necks have identical inside diameters. I was able to make a sleeve for an '88 300SE from a copper pipe fitting, but couldn't find something ready-made to fit another friend's '82 300SD, so I had to make one from some heavy galvanuised sheet-steel. That 'temporary' repair was still holding when my friend sold the car.

Happy Motoring, Mark

pawoSD · #12 08-23-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

Which ever you buy find metal sleeve for hose ends,and expoxy.

Not necessary on the newer radiators....that issue was long taken care of.

lupin..the..3rd · #13 08-24-2009, 12:23 AM

Nissens is top quality stuff. OEM supplier for Volvo. The no-name is going to be made in China and of very inferior quality.

KarTek · #14 08-24-2009, 08:11 AM

I just replaced the radiator in the E300 and as much as it rubs me the wrong way to put inferior parts in the car, I went with a no-name ebay radiator. The OEM was $372.00 and the ebay part was $219 shipped.

I figured, for that amount of difference, I'll take a chance. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the radiator. It was well packaged, all the lugs and mounting points were at least as robust as the original as was the quality of the plastic. The hose necks even had aluminum inserts just like the original.

Believe me, as hard as it is to replace the radiator on that car, I looked it over VERY thoroughly - including a pressure test before installing it.

I guess the bottom line for you is the question of how you use the car - long trips or mostly close to home. Do you turn your loved ones loose in it? When my original radiator failed, it split down the side but I was able to loosen the cap and the lack of pressure kept the antifreeze contained until I got home so it's hard to say how a radiator is going to fail and how it will effect you at any given moment.

I'd say that if your radiator is all metal, you'd have even less to worry about quality wise.

On a final note, the Texas based ebay seller I dealt with was excellent - instant, polite responses to my questions and even posted more detailed pictures to make sure the part he was selling cas correct for my car.

oldsinner111 · #15 08-24-2009, 08:25 AM

If you read up on the no names,you will find they have less rows,for cooling.
Plastic necks break over time,thats why I reinforce mine.
When mine finally goes I will find a replacement brass radiator from a truck,and hopefully 4 row.I will go with a upper and lower hose,and convert tank to a overflow.