[SRoss]

While driving, something hit the radiator and it is leaking coolant. Luckily I was only a few miles away from a BMW dealer and limped along to it. Wondering if this has happened to anyone before and what you were quoted to fix it. This dealer is quoting me $2700 to fix. Said it isn't covered under warranty due to it being hit.

[Impulse20098]

Which radiator is that? Sorry it looks like one of the lower ones on passenger or driver side. Just not sure. And do you have the carbon ducts up front if it is one of those lower radiators?

[forcefed]

Ouch... maybe i wont be upgrading to carbon ducts after all.

Looks like #3 or #10 cooler, since it is an auxiliary cooler and not the main one maybe it can be blocked off and you can hope to find a used one yourself rather than paying 3k for one.

Here's two on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/385021428450 https://www.ebay.com/itm/265795983609 but not sure which one you need

[iviegatron]

I'm surprised BMW hasn't put some mesh grill in the back to prevent this. There are big openings everywhere. I was looking at my radiator the other day (behind the grill) and it looks beat up.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Ouch... maybe i wont be upgrading to carbon ducts after all.

Was this a hit on one of the aux radiators or the main one? Can't really tell from the picture....



The openings on the stock grates are pretty big too....not sure if they could stop a small rock either....

[SRoss]

Originally Posted by Impulse20098

Which radiator is that? Sorry it looks like one of the lower ones on passenger or driver side. Just not sure. And do you have the carbon ducts up front if it is one of those lower radiators?

Driver side

[SRoss]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Ouch... maybe i wont be upgrading to carbon ducts after all.

Looks like #3 or #10 cooler, since it is an auxiliary cooler and not the main one maybe it can be blocked off and you can hope to find a used one yourself rather than paying 3k for one.

Here's two on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/385021428450 https://www.ebay.com/itm/265795983609 but not sure which one you need

I actually do not have the carbon fiber exterior option so the mesh is there to protect. Just super unlucky that a rock or piece of debris was able to get in there.

[kjx]

Originally Posted by SRoss

I actually do not have the carbon fiber exterior option so the mesh is there to protect. Just super unlucky that a rock or piece of debris was able to get in there.

The mesh does not really protect from rocks if one hit the mesh strategically. I had a rock hit the center mesh on my last BMW and take out one of the vanes of the mesh. I found the hole and the rock lying next to the radiator (no leak) at some point later.

Statistically, this should never happen to you again. So there’s that going for you.

[Mark Kez]

Originally Posted by SRoss

While driving, something hit the radiator and it is leaking coolant. Luckily I was only a few miles away from a BMW dealer and limped along to it. Wondering if this has happened to anyone before and what you were quoted to fix it. This dealer is quoting me $2700 to fix. Said it isn't covered under warranty due to it being hit.

Happened to me in my M240 vert. Mechanic said it was a one in a million shot!

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by SRoss

I actually do not have the carbon fiber exterior option so the mesh is there to protect. Just super unlucky that a rock or piece of debris was able to get in there.

Doh that's even worse to hear.

[Allerum]

I would think this is an Insurance Claim then under collision or maybe comprehensive.

[stewie177]

Could a very very small tricycle get through? If so, I think you have a legitimate warranty claim

[jmr0311]

Hello forcefed.....would you mind sharing where you located this parts breakdown diagram you show on your post. I've being looking all over the place for a catalog like that for our G80/G82 cars. Thank you so much in advanced.

[Bch53211]

I hope you have better luck getting the parts than I have. I have been waiting since may for my steering rack. 2 available world wide right on 8/17 and there are 3 people ahead of me per my dealer. Looking like this will take at minimum 4 months to get the part.

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by stewie177

Could a very very small tricycle get through? If so, I think you have a legitimate warranty claim

I had feared that I'd get to the end of this thread without seeing a kid-on-a-bike reference. Thank you for restoring my faith in this forum.




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Originally Posted by Bch53211

I hope you have better luck getting the parts than I have. I have been waiting since may for my steering rack. 2 available world wide right on 8/17 and there are 3 people ahead of me per my dealer. Looking like this will take at minimum 4 months to get the part.

What's wrong with your steering rack? And hard to believe it's taking months (plural!) for any part. Did you get a long-term loaner in the meantime?

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Originally Posted by Allerum

I would think this is an Insurance Claim then under collision or maybe comprehensive.

Sure, but depending on the deductible level and the subsequent impact to rates, it may not be worth it.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by SRoss

While driving, something hit the radiator and it is leaking coolant. Luckily I was only a few miles away from a BMW dealer and limped along to it. Wondering if this has happened to anyone before and what you were quoted to fix it. This dealer is quoting me $2700 to fix. Said it isn't covered under warranty due to it being hit.

I can't see why any radiator shop would not be able to fix that....for less money than a new radiator. A lot of that $2,700 must be labor to remove the front bumper and such.

Ask your dealership the same question....of course it will no longer be warrantied by BMW after the radiator is repaired, probably only a 3 month from the radiator shop itself.

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by MassComp

I can't see why any radiator shop would not be able to fix that....for less money than a new radiator. A lot of that $2,700 must be labor to remove the front bumper and such.

Ask your dealership the same question....of course it will no longer be warrantied by BMW after the radiator is repaired, probably only a 3 month from the radiator shop itself.

Same reason tesla will charge you 20k to replace the battery than fix a broken coolant fitting... liability. Dealers simply replace what's broken, they wont apply any diy fixes on the car.
But i do agree going to a radiator shop is a good idea.

Originally Posted by jmr0311

Hello forcefed.....would you mind sharing where you located this parts breakdown diagram you show on your post. I've being looking all over the place for a catalog like that for our G80/G82 cars. Thank you so much in advanced.

Here's the booklet.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

FWIW. Nomex honeycomb is used by dirt track racers to protect their radiators. About $35 a sheet. I have it on my Cobra which has a radiator that is a major rock target. On the car for 8 years no dead radiators

Raw material

Paint with 2 rattle cans of outdoor grill paint



Trim to size



Install

[Bch53211]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

I had feared that I'd get to the end of this thread without seeing a kid-on-a-bike reference. Thank you for restoring my faith in this forum.




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What's wrong with your steering rack? And hard to believe it's taking months (plural!) for any part. Did you get a long-term loaner in the meantime?

---



Sure, but depending on the deductible level and the subsequent impact to rates, it may not be worth it.

-

My steering rack got damaged when I drove over a chunk of concrete I was not able to avoid that likely fell off a construction vehicle. The car in front of me drove over it with no issues. Fortunately it cleared my front bumper and did no body damage but unfortunately it took out my exhaust steering rack and a few other under body parts. The part was ordered in late May I just got word from my dealer yesterday about the two available on 8-17 and the fact that I’m supposedly fourth on the waiting list. Yes the dealer was nice enough to give me a 430 I as a long-term loaner which I do appreciate.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by Bch53211

My steering rack got damaged when I drove over a chunk of concrete I was not able to avoid that likely fell off a construction vehicle. The car in front of me drove over it with no issues. Fortunately it cleared my front bumper and did no body damage but unfortunately it took out my exhaust steering rack and a few other under body parts

That sucks. Is your vehicle lowered?

[Bch53211]

Originally Posted by MassComp

That sucks. Is your vehicle lowered?

No completely stock it only had 700 miles on it when it happened.

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by Bch53211

No completely stock it only had 700 miles on it when it happened.

That sucks, sorry. Hopefully you get it repaired soon so you can hit your break-in point!