Well I decided to replace my leaky coolant tank. I decided I wanted one like the Canton tank in this thread http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-s-engine-drivetrain/18195-coolant-expansion-tank-options.html#axzz2mFY0CKcc . From the posts in that thread I decided to get the RMW one mainly based on the fact that some have reported the difficult installation of the Canton tank because of the straight over-flow tube barb and that the RMW one has a 90° barb on it's tank. Well I ordered one from RMW for $190 shipped (the bare aluminum one). When I got it it had the straight barb on it just like the Canton tank one has. I asked Jan about it and he simply said "That is an RMW tank not a Canton tank". There appears to be very little difference in either tank. I was able to get it installed w/o to much difficulty. The barb is a little long and does hit the power steering tank a bit, but I was able to get the tube on it. One hint on the installation......you have to remove the coil to be able to get it one. Removing the OEM one did not necessitate the removal, but it has to come off to get the new one on. So at this time I cannot recommend the RMW tank over the Canton tank, especially considering the $55 premium for it.
This is the next thing on my list to purchase also, I have heard that sometimes the MINIs will blow a line on the coolant system, and if not caught can damage the motor. 125.oo seems like cheap insurance to me!
Sounds like somebody is "relabeling" Canton tanks.... I guess after a production run has been done, and sold out...if a vendor only needs a couple..buying an off the shelf item is tempting....rather than investing in another batch of 25-75 units that may sit for a few years.... Too bad... I seem to recall RMW advertising his tank had the "correct fittings" unlike other competing tanks.... Sounds like I might be asking for a credit of $55... you were sold one bill of goods...and it sounds like you got a different item... its a shame...RMW is such a good TUNER.....guess parts might not the same case... EDIT... So it is confirmed that the op's tank is a REAL RMW tank...not a relabeled discount canton tank...good to hear...guess I jumped the gun...but how many similar stories have we seen with mini parts....a vendor selling his "special custom part" and a unit shows up for 25-50% less in other places....I know an exhaust that one mini specialist added custom tips to....sold it for a huge markup....
I did not want to give the impression that the tank WAS a Canton product. There are some differences in the two that indicate that this is a different tank, the support tab on the top is different and it appears that the location of the overflow barb is bit different. My disappointment stems from the fact that it no longer has the 90° barb as in the past and what I consider to be a lack of sincere customer service. Thus my recommendation. I have a couple of suggestions. One would be to offer a much shorter barb as the one on it is much longer than it needs to be. This would probably solve the issues of it interfering with the power steering tank. And the other would be to add some short protrusions on the bottom to line up with the stock ones so it would utilize the stock mounting holes and give it a bit more stability.
Jan has done away with the 90 and it is now straight because he had the fitting moved for better flow.
We have been through this accusation before, Jan's tanks are made expressly for RMW by one of his local fabricators, it is not a Canton universal tank rebranded, it isn't even the same size...fact, end of story.
Doh!!!! Maybe I jumped to the wrong conclusion due to similar stories in mini products having been played out so many times. Good to hear RMW is NOT rebranding tanks. Reading the op's description, it sounded a bit like he was trying to be overly diplomatic on a product he paid a $55 premium for that fit like the discount junk....