Tons of posts already about this. There are two camps - those that did the conversion and typically have positive views of the experience and those who prefer to keep the mechanical fan and aux fan as that is how it came from the factory.

Do you have specific concerns or questions about doing the conversion?

 

Well, I'm concerned about cooling mainly.
The reason for conversion is space in engine bay and getting rid of that damn loud wind sound!
I can't hear the engine.

 

Sure. I can't speak for everyone's experience but my experience after converting to the electric fan is my cooling is fine but with a couple caveats.

When I first did the conversion I left the aux fan in as a backup since I sourced the replacement fan from the salvage yard and wasn't sure it would work properly. That made it run a bit hotter as there was less air circulation. Not a lot, it wasn't causing overheating, but once I confirmed my new fan was working as intended I pulled the aux fan.

Second, at the time I did my swap, I happened to find out I had a hot running thermostat and was getting temps up to 103 when at idle at a stop. Again, not horrible, but not ideal so I ended up swapping the thermostat, lower radiator hose and coolant temp switch. I'm now usually between 97-99 at idle in traffic and it goes down to around 93 at speed.

If you plan to do the conversion, I'd recommend you record your temps before and after the conversion for comparison.

Finally, the big question: was it worth it. I think so. It definitely removes the low-speed parasitic drain from the manual fan to where it no longer sounds like a semi truck pulling out of the parking lot. I also like how it responds now at lower speeds - feels a bit more spirited. The electric fan is also way easier to take out/reinstall than the manual fan which saves time if you have a bit of maintenance yet to do. Good luck

 

Many on here have done it, including myself, without issue. The electric fan can handle the heat load just fine.

 

But this will cost its life -- shorter brushes

 

What fan do you recommend ?

 

I did the electric fan swap on my wagon last year and so far it's been performing great.

I documented the process in my build thread. It bounces around among several other topics within the thread, but pretty much the whole process was captured.

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/and-then-there-were-three-2002-330xit.1317164/page-2#post-19161275

It's a pretty straightforward job and there are a couple DIYs on the board you can follow.

 

Some of us just simply remove the mechanical fan. The lower wattage electric fan in front of the radiator does the job just fine for me.

 

The lower wattage electric fan in front of the radiator

It’s the same fan speed controller and fan motor.

 

Thanks for the correction. I knew it was the same controller - I thought it was a lower power motor.

 

Been running the single electric fan with a small mod to activate it when IAT >40c. It cools down the s/c heat exchanger, the gearbox oil cooler, the engine oil cooler, the radiator (duh) and the AC condenser. If the components are healthy, there are no issues. Average engine coolant temp is 93c, oil temp 101c, gearbox temp 80c

 

Out of curiosity, what mod did you to do to activate it when IAT >40c? Programming mod?

 

If you decide to swap, I recommend getting the electric fan from a car that is late 2003 or later. They have the latest version of the electric with with a Bosch controller that is still being made and used in many other cars. They are also alot less prone to failure.

Read this: https://www.e46fanatics.com/attachments/e46-electric-fan-guide-2019-pdf.992860/

 

Yes, the Bosch Generation 2 is the one to go for. The early Siemens ones had recalls due to a fire risk, and the Bosch Generation 1 was obviously superseded by the Gen 2. Also, make sure you run some tests using INPA on the replacement electric fan to ensure it runs at various duty cycles; for example 15%, 50% and 100%.

 

Did this to my car as well. I just went with a new fan from FCP, lifetime warranty and all that. Kept my front aux fan as a parts backup.

BMW Cooling Fan Assembly - CoolXpert 17117561757

BMW Cooling Fan Assembly - CoolXpert 17117561757

www.fcpeuro.com

Not having the clutch fan in the way makes engine maintenance SO much easier.

 

If the electric fan didn't work well, or do the job - it would not be on the car. I have zero reason to believe my fan is not original - 23 years old, 300K + miles. SUUUPER easy to take out and potentially replace, if needed.

 

It's very hot where I live....deep south

 

I'm in Charlotte. It is not cool here.

I have yet to hear of anyone who has done this swap to regret it and later swap back, no matter their climate.

 

I'm asking. Wanted to make sure.