What brand was the latest radiator? Nissens supplied radiators to BMW for the E46.

 

I have a Behr in mine; no issues. Where is it leaking from? Are you sure it's not installer error?

 

You won't find your solution on eBay.

$82.99 shipped to your door with a lifetime warranty: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-radiator-auto-trans-e46-60782a

 

+1 This.....forget aluminum, no need unless you're building a race car.

 

Thank you. The radiator in my ZHP is original. I was referring to the last 2 E46's I owned that both had radiator leaks. All three were around the
plastic drain. Thinking that going to aluminum would solve the problem.

 

I wasn't too fond of the aluminum radiators so I went with Behr when a change was required. Had no issues in 60k miles with it.

 

+1 on the Behr. 60,000 miles on mine since I replaced it.

 

You can install a misimoto one but prepare to go through tons of distilled water to get rid of all the leaks. Old hoses/plastic will have settled and will need to be replaced/adjusted for the new parts. luckily I traced mine to the horrible design of the aluminum expansion tank which over pressurized the coolant system and spewed coolant like a popped zit, went back to an OEM expansion tank and worked perfectly. Went Electric fan instead of the mechanical since but again Mishimoto electric fan is also garbage since its super weak but lucky found a 3000cfm fan that is slim enough to fit in the small amount of space. Also heads up Mishimoto coolant is garbage in cooler climates since it can freeze, I tossed a vial in the freezer along with a vial normal BMW coolant and the mishimoto one froze up while the BMW one stayed liquid.