Alternative to OEM part for the radiator fan assembly?

evermore · 07-21-2023, 08:48 PM

Has anyone replaced the radiator fan assembly on their E9x M3 with something other than the OEM part (17112283621)? The price, at over $1100 is pretty ridiculous but I am not finding much in the way of alternatives.

GiorgioE82 · 07-21-2023, 09:18 PM

Following. On the same boat right now.

Getbmwparts has it for $951 though.

evermore · 07-22-2023, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiorgioE82

Following. On the same boat right now.

Getbmwparts has it for $951 though.

FYI, I found that partsgeek has a UAC part for $306 and ordered it, hopefully it's actually good quality. Will let you know

Redd · 07-22-2023, 07:18 PM

For a component as critical as the radiator fan, and for how long it lasts, I'd just go original BMW. Mine is still original 13 yrs and 155k kms old.

GiorgioE82 · 07-23-2023, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

For a component as critical as the radiator fan, and for how long it lasts, I'd just go original BMW. Mine is still original 13 yrs and 155k kms old.

Mine just tore off a piece of the outer ring at just shy of 70k miles. Damn brittle BMW plastics.

GiorgioE82 · 08-02-2023, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evermore

FYI, I found that partsgeek has a UAC part for $306 and ordered it, hopefully it's actually good quality. Will let you know

So did you get it?

evermore · 08-20-2023, 08:19 AM

ok this was an odyssey.

The UAC part from partsgeek did not fit the M3 at all (best I can figure it is meant for a Z4).

With the OEM part out of stock everywhere, the potential workaround was follows:
1. buy the fan shroud (ecs has them)
2. buy a fan assembly for a 535i GT (though I think any fan for a N55 would do the trick
3. use the undamaged connector/electronics from my broken fan, attach it to the new fan motor from the 535i GT fan, then install all that with the correct fan shroud

This may still work but I unfortunately did not get the exact right 535i fan assembly (it was NOT OEM but by TYC) so mating the motor to the existing electronics/connector was not an option.

By luck, the right OEM fan assembly for the M3 (17112283621) had come back in stock at tcp euro for $1006.99 so I jumped on it immediately. TCP Euro offered 1 day delivery for $35 and the part did arrive the next day and I finally have a working car again.

07-21-2023, 08:48 PM	#1
evermore New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2004 Toyota 4Runner Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Alternative to OEM part for the radiator fan assembly? Has anyone replaced the radiator fan assembly on their E9x M3 with something other than the OEM part (17112283621)? The price, at over $1100 is pretty ridiculous but I am not finding much in the way of alternatives.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-21-2023, 09:18 PM	#2
GiorgioE82 Private 292 Rep 90 Posts Drives: BMW 1M Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Puerto Rico iTrader: (1)	Following. On the same boat right now. Getbmwparts has it for $951 though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2023, 07:18 PM	#4
Redd Brigadier General 3900 Rep 4,165 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	For a component as critical as the radiator fan, and for how long it lasts, I'd just go original BMW. Mine is still original 13 yrs and 155k kms old.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-20-2023, 08:19 AM	#7
evermore New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2004 Toyota 4Runner Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	ok this was an odyssey. The UAC part from partsgeek did not fit the M3 at all (best I can figure it is meant for a Z4). With the OEM part out of stock everywhere, the potential workaround was follows: 1. buy the fan shroud (ecs has them) 2. buy a fan assembly for a 535i GT (though I think any fan for a N55 would do the trick 3. use the undamaged connector/electronics from my broken fan, attach it to the new fan motor from the 535i GT fan, then install all that with the correct fan shroud This may still work but I unfortunately did not get the exact right 535i fan assembly (it was NOT OEM but by TYC) so mating the motor to the existing electronics/connector was not an option. By luck, the right OEM fan assembly for the M3 (17112283621) had come back in stock at tcp euro for $1006.99 so I jumped on it immediately. TCP Euro offered 1 day delivery for $35 and the part did arrive the next day and I finally have a working car again.
	Appreciate 0 Quote