Most cost-effective E46 cooling refresh?

My 2003 325i is overdue for the BMW 120,000-mile cooling system overhaul. I'll probably keep the car another couple of years (but not much longer than that) so I want to do the work, but I don't really care about getting another 100k out of it.

I know it needs a thermostat, which is I believe integrated with the water pump, is it not? I also need to do the CCV valve or whatever it is the plugs up, while I have the radiator out.

Who sells the best-value refresh package? Any pointers are appreciated.

On sale for $521 with free shipping https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-mango-e46-cooling-system-overhaul-kit-mangocoolkit1

They usually offer discount codes for orders over $250 to take another $10 off.

I agree fcp sells quality products.

Yup, go with the FCP Euro "mango" kit. I spent a bunch of time, way more than I should have, looking for the best deal to do my 2004 330 this fall. They were the best value by far (not crap parts at a good price).

I just did the two hard coolant lines that go into the block. Good luck, royal pita. Probably take me a quarter of the time next time.
Partly from knowing what I"m doing coupled with not 200k mile old vacuum lines that disentegrated everytime I tried to disconnect them.

while I was in there I put a new ccv/lines in. Later i looked it up and it's way more worth your time to just block the ccv system...

I just did this with all factory BMW parts from Tischer BMW.

$415 for you car, includes everything ... even the radiator. There is a $10 coupon on their website or $25 if you push it over $500.

Tischer cooling system refresh

All part numbers are listed so you can compare what you are getting.

On my E36, I went through the Group Buy forum over on Bimmerforums. I got the OEM part numbers from RealOEM.com, and then went from there.

Awesome, thanks very much for the prompt and thorough answers.

Looks like Tischer's all-OE kit doesn't include the radiator, belts, and some other miscellaneous hardware. For the additional hectobuck at FCP, it seems like you get a bunch of extra refresh parts, but of course they are not all factory.

Mad_Ratel wrote: while I was in there I put a new ccv/lines in. Later i looked it up and it's way more worth your time to just block the ccv system...

Will that throw a code? because I won't pass inspection with open codes or without all the readiness monitors satisfied.

Mad_Ratel wrote: while I was in there I put a new ccv/lines in. Later i looked it up and it's way more worth your time to just block the ccv system...

Not recommended. The M54 CCV is deeply flawed, to be sure, but blocking it off will create all manner of nasty deposits and probably increase oil consumption significantly.

The easiest fix is to replace the CCV and the four hoses, make sure the distribution piece and the dipstick drain are clear, then add a small diameter hose from the unused nipple on the CCV to a similarly unused one on the back of the intake. This adds considerable flow to the system, increases evacuation of the crankcase, and tends to reduce oil consumption in engines with that issue. I developed and documented it fully over at Bimmerforums in the General Mechanical Help subforum if you want more details.

damnit, wish you'd told me that 4 weeks ago.

In reply to 02Pilot:

Awesome, thank you!

Crap, I thought they all came with the radiator. I guess now I know why the kit I bought for the M3 was much more expensive.