BMW Cooling System Parts & Accessories for BMW 3 Series E46 (1999-2005)

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The cooling system is arguably the weakest point in numerous BMWs. If you drive an aging BMW or plan on taking your car to the track like we do, we recommend beefing up your cooling system before going to the track. Generally, the main components in your cooling system that are prone to failure include the following: expansion tank, factory hoses, water pump, thermostat, fan (especially if your vehicle comes factory with a clutch fan), and radiator. Factory BMW expansion tanks are plastic and prone to either breaking off at connection points or combusting. As factory rubber hoses age they either crack or break over time - we offer silicone cooling hose upgrades for most applications to avoid future failures. If you have an older vehicle, your water pump likely comes from the factory with a plastic impeller - we offer upgraded water pumps with metal impellers that are far more reliable. Newer model BMWs utilize electric water pumps - BMW spent millions of dollars engineering these water pumps, but they fail so often that we recommend replacing at 60,000 mile service intervals to avoid being stranded on the side of the road. In terms of thermostats, we offer various upgraded thermostats for racing applications. If your BMW utilizes a clutch fan from the factory, we have several options available in terms of universal electric fans - we recommend replacing these to avoid sending brittle plastic fan blades through your hood. For radiators, we recommend swapping out your radiator for one that does not use plastic connection points like your factory radiator.

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OEM Nissens Radiator - Automatic - E46, Z4
For vehicles with automatic transmission only
Nissens - Corporate Logo
T#:362222
Part#: 17119071519
In Stock
$ 173.39

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
06-02-2026

$ 165.05 USD
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$ 165.05 USD
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The cooling system is a weak point on any E46. Many cars develop issues in as few as 50,000 miles.

Overheating an inline 6 engine almost always results in large repair bill, and sometimes a warped cylinder head.

Replace yours with a high-quality OEM Nissens radiator to prevent further issues and potential overheating.

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Rein Coolant Expansion Tank - E46, E53, E83
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
Rein - Corporate Logo
T#:402141
Part#: 17117573781
In Stock
$ 76.39 USD
Free Shipping
$ 76.39 USD
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Includes cap and level sensor
Active Autowerke - Corporate Logo
T#:397219
Part#: 14-010
Ships in 2 Business Days
5% off MSRP $ 259.00

MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. This is the suggested retail price provided by the manufacturer, supplier or seller.

$ 246.99 USD
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5% off MSRP
$ 259.00

MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. This is the suggested retail price provided by the manufacturer, supplier or seller.

$ 246.99 USD
Free Shipping

When you push your powerplant, thermodynamics push right back. The toll of high performance is higher heat load – and many stock components begin to complain. But Active Autowerke has you covered - this upgraded fan clutch increases viscous coupling of cooling fan blade speed to water pump speed, yielding increased airflow through the radiator for more efficient cooling. A simple, yet wonderful, thing.

This product fits the following BMWs:
1992-1999 E36 323i 325i 328i 330i M3
1998-2006 E46 323i 325i 328i 330i M3

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Expansion Tank Mounting Plate
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
Rein - Corporate Logo
T#:402140
Part#: 17111436250
In Stock at Vendor
$ 70.99 USD
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$ 70.99 USD
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Thermostat With Housing
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
Rein - Corporate Logo
T#:582356
Part#: 11537509227
Ships in 4 Business Days
$ 89.99 USD
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$ 89.99 USD
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Stop leaks before they start with this new Thermostat With Housing from Rein.
Rein Expansion Tank Mounting Plate - E46, Z4
For vehicles with automatic transmission only
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
Rein - Corporate Logo
T#:402139
Part#: 17111436251
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 80.99 USD
Free Shipping
$ 80.99 USD
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Mounts to the side of the radiator for retaining the expansion tank

Sachs Radiator Fan Clutch - E34, E36, E39, E46, E53, Z3
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
Sachs - Corporate Logo
T#:591739
Part#: 11527505302
Back Ordered
$ 133.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
05-07-2026

$ 129.99 USD
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$ 129.99 USD
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Common source of engine overheating