61 replies to this topic

[carboy001]

Just wondering if anyone has used this company for an alloy radiator;

http://store.thermex...diator-29-p.asp

I'm rather interested in one at £165 incl VAT as it works out £50 cheaper than a Radtec radiator and isn't an import item.

Any advice or opinions much appreciated.

[danrock101]

looks like the ones on ebay for £56 delivered to me... I'm ordering one on monday, don't fancy paying £150 for slightly neater welds

[crazycoleman118]

looks like the ones on ebay for £56 delivered to me... I'm ordering one on monday, don't fancy paying £150 for slightly neater welds

+1 people seem to rate the fleabay ones quite highly... if you really wanted to splash out on an alloy rad MED do some

[Thermex]

Hi there!

My name is Richard and I work for Thermex, I noticed a jump in hits to the Mini Radiator page on the website so thought I'd check it out and found the source to be this thread.

I see that our high quality products has been compared to the cheap EBay ones so thought I'd better come and offer some more information. Thermex has been manufacturing cooling products since 1979 but we only started to look into manufacturing Mini radiators when the Mini we race was starting to get a bit warm on the track, the existing products on the market just weren't up to the job so we designed an improved version which has kept the engine nice and cool ever since, even on the hottest race days! The secret is in the construction processes we use and the deep 56mm core which, compared with the 40mm core you get for £56 on EBay, offers a much improved cooling capacity. Our radiators are also manufactured to international quality standards and come with a 12 month warranty, and before someone says "so do the EBay ones" it is worth remembering that it is easy for someone in China to not be as helpful with quality issues as they could be. Look at their feedback for example.

end tanks different shapes,core bowed across length during manifacturing. scrap!
braket on top bent badley weld craked fines dented?some bad welding
item not as posted on ebay.dose not fit and seller dose not reply to emails.nogo
Damaged in shipping, Radiator leaks, no response from seller. Do not buy this!
didnt have parts in stock, poor comunication, wrong discription, wont refund
Beware Thief
did not fit at all, tank will not fit anymore. do not buy these they are junk

You get the general idea!

With us you get a 12 month guarantee, we are based in Redditch and always available to help with any quality issues (which we have so far had none of for this radiator) and you also have me on here too if you want to contact me directly.

Thank you for taking the time to read the above and I hope this information helps, if you have any questions just ask!

[tangerinebean]

Thanks for the insight, i was also looking at one of these, just because it looks nicer in the engine bay.

I don't have any cooling issues, though so it may just be overkill.

[Mr Joshua]

Paid through the nose for mine from minispeed but I have had no issues and it works, and works well

One rule of thumb BUY CHEAP BUY TWICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thermex]

One rule of thumb BUY CHEAP BUY TWICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't agree more!

[DaveVader]

Paid through the nose for mine from minispeed but I have had no issues and it works, and works well

One rule of thumb BUY CHEAP BUY TWICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And yet you will have still saved about £40

[minicb]

you can also get a 50mm core on ebay. a mate has the 40mm one and has had no problems with it yet

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item1c157db855

Edited by minicb, 27 September 2010 - 11:19 AM.

[Thermex]

Some excellent points have been made, it often seems easy to spot a bargain but spotting the difference between good value and poor quality can often be difficult. Here's how I look at it.

Cheap product that needs replacing every year or two = poor quality, false economy
Product that, when maintained and looked after stands a good chance of lasting 10 years or more = Good value

Just my thoughts!

[toyboy396]

Myself and Chipster both run the "cheapo" chinese ebay 40mm rads. Nothing wrong with them (finds piece of wood)
They fit perfect, look the part and do what they are supposed to and we drive em like we stole em.. in the right enviroment of course.

Personally i'd take the gamble on them every time, at 60 odd quid it'l last just as long as the 140 quid if you look after it, the same as anything.

[Hughes]

Well just to throw it out there I have the ebay one. £56 delivered.

So far no leak issues, but not many miles covered. Looks pretty good BUT......

.....I may change it for one from a UK manufacturer. Why?

1) Whilst welding is adequate, its not great.
2) Bolt holes did not match up with cowling
3) Bolt holes were not the same thread as original - and I couldnt find the right bolts
4) Welding had white stains around them - dont know what it was but it doesnt come off
5) Bottom hose outlet has a sharp kink in it which restricts flow
6) Bottom water drainage outlet does not accept any temperature senders that I could find which is a pain if you have a Mini with an addition fan in the wing.

Thing is I cant really complain to someone in China can I?

I think that having gone down the cheap route I am probably guna have to trade up, for piece of mind if nothing else.

Perhaps Thermex could offer a TMF+ discount??!!

[josh.evans]

perhaps thermex group buy

[tangerinebean]

Thermex group buy gets my vote!

No updates from last vote yet though?

[danrock101]

I've ordered my chinese one, I'll be able to live with the following, knowing that I have saved myself £200 ish
1) Whilst welding is adequate, its not great. but I can cover the welding up in £20 notes using the money I've saved
2) Bolt holes did not match up with cowling, I'll drill new holes
3) Bolt holes were not the same thread as original - and I couldnt find the right bolts I'll find some
4) Welding had white stains around them - dont know what it was but it doesnt come off Doesn't matter will be covered in £20 notes
5) Bottom hose outlet has a sharp kink in it which restricts flow Can't be that bad, sure it could be modified if it is, how do you know it restricts flow?
6) Bottom water drainage outlet does not accept any temperature senders that I could find which is a pain if you have a Mini with an addition fan in the wing.
You can get ones that have the right size hole, you can get senders that go under the cap anyway, my leccy fan will run off a manual switch, so not fussed

if it happens to leak, I'll either repair it, or get another one, I'll still have saved £150 ish
edit, I'm getting mixed up with the more exspensive ones,
considering the thermex ones are made in the UK, the amount if work gone into them, not a bad price but I'll let you know if the chinese one can keep my 1430 cool

Edited by danrock101, 27 September 2010 - 07:20 PM.