1st Gen R53 Cooper S Replacement radiator fan sources

We've tried using aftermarket Aux Fan's and they just fail a month or two later so we only install OEM MINI fans now. Buyer beware, they are cheaper for a reason.

 

I'm with Way on this....

You know the old saying " there always seems to be time to do it over, but never enough time (and money!) to do it right the first time"

Buy factory parts - you get a 2 year warranty too!

 

Going on 2+ years on the TYC fan. Good warranty, good part IMO. I usually prefer OEM, but the OEM is simply defective,, and needs updating IMO.
If you buy an OEM, You will need to buy another one when it fails...if it fails after the part warranty fail...cause it WILL FAIL....
The TYC has a lifetime warranty...depends on where you buy it...and my local mini guy has not had ANY failures of them yet...more than I can say of the OEM making an aftermarket part is to re-engineer a part (mostly copying, but electrical stuff does need some adjustment)....not just copy it to try to save a few $$, maybe the resistor that fails is a bit different...different maker...and if it does not fail...it fixes the weakness in the factory design!!
Since part of

 

We sell EVERY OEM MINI part, we have a great supplier for them. If anyone is ever looking for ANY OEM part just email or call. I just don't have time to put each and every part on the site.

You have to order the fan specific for your production date, there have been a couple variations.

 

How difficult is this install? Any worse than pulling and replacing a radiator?

My stage 1 fan just went. 2006 R53 with 58,000 miles. $720 plus tax to have the dealership do the work...no way that is happening. :frown2:

 

A bit simpler actually....
You still have to pull the bumper and bumper support, unbolt, and fold away the AC condenser...pop the 2 pins that hold the radiator in place....
You may/may not have to go to service mode...Might have been quicker....I did it without it...but it was tight!!
$720 is kind high IMO.....but it is the dealer, and they have lots of overhead for you to pay-for.......nice shiny floors...free coffee...big couches....Heck I know one that has a MINI driving simulator( a seat, steering wheel, an bunch of flat-screens, etc).....and video games....They tend to be nice places...but you pay $$ for it all...it is not free!!
If you are interested in saving some $$$, it is not hard for a DIY...not super simple...but doable.
Most Mini centric shops, Like WMW could probably do one in an hour or so...
Places that don't know MINI's...don't scare me like that!! ut:

 

Good to know. I've pulled the radiators on Subarus and VWs before, but never on a MINI. I was looking at my Bentley manual last night and then I eyeballed my car this morning - it does not look that difficult. My only question is whether to go OEM or aftermarket. The OEM part does not seem to scream "quality", so I may go aftermarket knowing that I will likely have to replace it again either way. AutoZone offers a Dorman unit with a lifetime warranty for way less than OEM.

Yep, I never expect a deal at a dealership. I spent 9.5 years working in one in a previous life.

 

I bet the motors in the OEM are better than the cheap one...but since they are just DC motors..the brushes will wear-out someday anyway...if the Dorman is a good price, go for it...but it might be the same TYC unit..with a different label...the TYC label was basically indiscernible from the OEM...the difference was the resistor looked different (THANK GOD!!) and the fan housing motor had a different color plating...at $85+ shipping, I figured it it lasts as long as the typical OEM, great...they seem to go every 3 year or 40k...sometimes less...but like i said, some have a lifetime warranty...and my local MINI guy has had great luck with them....

WMW does have great support...I would not hesitate buying anything from him, OEM or not!!

 

Zip- Try 1800RADIATOR. Ask if they have an OEM replacement fan or a direct replacement. Chances are they do. I have had very good luck with them. Mini does not make radiators or fans. They source them from company's like TYC, Dorman, Denso, etc. If you can find the same brand the OEM used from another vendor, chances are its the same part but you dont pay for the Mini name on the box. Good luck.

 

IMHO go with WMW. You can't go wrong.

Mark

 

I ended up ordering the TYC unit from a recommended vendor on e-bay. $78 shipped.

Hopefully I will not regret the decision, but I'm really not sold on the OEM one being that high quality. If MINI had fixed the obvious design flaw in the factory part, it would be a completely different story. The install is not fun, but I can buy four of these for the price of one OEM...

 

I came to the same conclusion....if the factory parts gets revised....the all bets are off!!
The fact that MINI was passing out new fans under warranty like candy to kids on Halloween (about 3 years ago when I was under warranty....at one point they were out of stock, and told me they would change it "next time"), and still have not changed the basic fan desgin...means that have chosen not too fix the OEM part...MINI/BMW is usually pretty good about revising problem parts.....
My local MINI guy keeps a few in the shop...that is how common this issue is...and he stocks VERY few parts (He works on maybe 30-40% MINI's)...but with the fan, he knows he will use them!!

 

After all these years, has anybody with the aftermarket units had horror stories or has everything been up to par with the OEM or better? My low speed went out today and the car overheated, causing my coolant reservoir to explode in half at the seam even after turning the car off. Any advice on whether to go OEM or not would be much appreciated from people with actual long term experience with these. Thank you, Cody.

 

Thank you for the swift response! I will definitely be ordering one of these before I get a complete fan assembly, thanks for the guidance. Just curious, which aftermarket unit did you go with?