61 replies to this topic

[Racer_Pete]

Ive got one of them alloy rads for £56 delivered, for that price i cant see how anyone can complain, yes maybe the welds aren't that great and it probably doesn't line up perfectly, but thats one of the reasons why there so cheap prepared to the radtec rads.

Edited by Racer_Pete, 27 September 2010 - 08:17 PM.

[Thermex]

Thanks for the continued responses guys, I've had a think about what you have all said and about the "Group Discount" and have decided to offer the following.

For the first 5 people to purchase a mini radiator, I will offer a 15% discount! All you have to do is use discount code TMF at the checkout. This means the radiators are available for £119 (excl. VAT and carriage)

UPDATE: Sold two already and just checked the stocks and we don't have as many left as I expected, so unfortunately I have to limit this to another 1 radiator at the special discount...sorry guys! But don't worry, we are getting another batch ready and I'll see if we can get together a group discount for you because I know a few of you were interested who may not have had chance to take advantage of the discount.

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

Edited by Thermex, 28 September 2010 - 10:52 AM.

[minichick]

Just decided on one of these and got the discount to boot!! Yay

[WRLondon]

Just to add on some of the issues with the chinese ones
theyve got 4 holes so with abit of drilling they are pretty sturdy
most of the issues can be solved but the original bolts not fitting is a simple one

they are made in CHINA so they dont use UNC or UNF threaded bolts but a CHINESE threaded bolts
i cant remember the name of the thread off the top of my head but thats the problem
so if you use your standard AF 1/4 UNF bolt to try and bolt the radiator in it will just wreck the thread in the radiator

simple solution, buy chinese bolts

but yeah most people buy alloy radiators because they look fancy, not for purpose
if you were running a miglia mini you wouldnt a cheap chinese radiator would you?

Thermex's radiators are somewere inbetween which is great as no normal person would spend 300+ on a rad lol

Edited by WRLondon, 28 September 2010 - 10:50 AM.

[Hughes]

My post was simply to give people an idea of my experience so that people can get a wider picture. Yes of course there are fixes for most of the issues. But if your buying the cheap rad you need to be aware its not going to be a direct replacement for an original. And its hard to send it back to China.

Having bought one and fitted it I am in a good place to provide that experience.

Oh and having looked at it with Neil at Slark and discussed the bottom hose outlet I am pretty sure it could create and issue. Maybe not in my car but in a higher spec engine.. The only way to correct it would be to cut off the kinked end which wouldn't leave much space to clamp the bottom hose.

All im saying is I have one and its being replaced over the winter.

[Stafford]

Thanks for the continued responses guys, I've had a think about what you have all said and about the "Group Discount" and have decided to offer the following.

For the first 5 people to purchase a mini radiator, I will offer a 15% discount! All you have to do is use discount code TMF at the checkout. This means the radiators are available for £119 (excl. VAT and carriage)

UPDATE: Sold two already and just checked the stocks and we don't have as many left as I expected, so unfortunately I have to limit this to another 1 radiator at the special discount...sorry guys! But don't worry, we are getting another batch ready and I'll see if we can get together a group discount for you because I know a few of you were interested who may not have had chance to take advantage of the discount.

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

nice looking rad there! in the near future i will be purchasing one of these bad boys and possibly an oil cooler! good looking product.

[mike.]

To the points raised hughes, heres how I found mine.

1) Whilst welding is adequate, its not great - This doesn't bother me really and I thought it looked fine to me anyway
2) Bolt holes did not match up with cowling - They fitted fine on mine although the rad sits abit close to the fan
3) Bolt holes were not the same thread as original - and I couldnt find the right bolts - They're just normal metric bolts, M6 I think, I had some lying around
4) Welding had white stains around them - dont know what it was but it doesnt come off - Mine came off when I polished the rad up
5) Bottom hose outlet has a sharp kink in it which restricts flow - I know what you mean but doubt it restricts much flow once the waters being pumped round and under pressure - think of how sharp the bend is in the top hose.
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. - This is probably right although I'd imagine they're just a normal metric thread - Have you looked on CBS (car builder solutions) they have a pretty good range for stuff like this.



The way I see it is:

Yes the quality won't be as good as a radtec or similar - But you can't expect it to be. Also i've read that radtec rads are just a normal brass core in an alloy housing - The chinese ones are all alloy.

Basically the chinese rad would have to fail on me 5 times before the costs match a radtec.

Here a few pics of mine. It came with a few bent fins which straightened out with a screwdriver, I polished it up and it fitted nice and easy. I've not really ran the engine for a sustained amount of time with the rad fitted but so far theres no leaks and you can tell how well it dissipates heat just by feeling the heat coming off the thing compared to my old rad.

Out of the box:



20 minutes of polishing:



Fitted in with ease. Only thing i'm going to do is make the bolt holes in the rad cowling slightly wider so I can space the rad abit further from the fan:

[mighty mini jack]

The white stuff is oxidization from the welding process, as mike said - it's easy to get off with a bit of polish, seen alot of alloy welded products left with it on though.

[luigi86]

The welding on that is hideous, I worked for a major motorsport cooling company and that would of never left the shop.

The poor welding quality may only be cosmetic but most of you are only buying them for exactly that reason!

The radiators should be made to similiar if not better specs than original so sharp bends on outlets is a no no. Thats only going to restrict flow. None of you know if it does or not without flow testing it but Think about it logically and you can reach a conclusion.

The thermex ones look better. I would pay more for a decent quality that looks top notch and not second rate myself.

[mike.]

I know its not perfect welding, but comparing it to the photo of that thermex one - I can't tell alot of difference?

I don't understand what the big deal is with the welding. Its only cosmetic and aslong as it seals the rad and holds it together what difference does it make?

If you were that bothered you could dress the welds a bit and smooth them all out.

[maggies_minder]

mike that looks bang on,
i personally dont care about "tidyness" i never open my bonnet unless something is wrong and never at shows.
its my daily so looks grubby, how i like it!

[Racer_Pete]

Heres mine straight out the box, for £56 im not complaining!

[Nick '91]

mike that looks bang on,
i personally dont care about "tidyness" i never open my bonnet unless something is wrong and never at shows.
its my daily so looks grubby, how i like it!

Wow, almost forgot that TMF was a mini forum let alone a family one from that post.

[maggies_minder]

mike that looks bang on,
i personally dont care about "tidyness" i never open my bonnet unless something is wrong and never at shows.
its my daily so looks grubby, how i like it!

Wow, almost forgot that TMF was a mini forum let alone a family one from that post.

am i missing something nick?

[wolfie]

would the issue with the kinked hose not be rectified by trimming it down a bit thermostate end?