Circoli thermostat and water pump

[alec.m]

My 3.0 is taking a lot longer to warm up so I`m going to have a new thermostat fitted. Eurocarparts and Carparts4less both sell Circoli parts. A couple of questions.
1. Is this brand ok?
2. Is it a good plan to do the pump at the same time as I`m thinking there can`t be much more labour involved doing both as opposed to just the thermostat? Car has 72,000 miles on the clock
Carparts4less have 20% off this week which makes it a great price.

 

[andyglym]

My 3.0 is taking a lot longer to warm up so I`m going to have a new thermostat fitted. Eurocarparts and Carparts4less both sell Circoli parts. A couple of questions.
1. Is this brand ok?
2. Is it a good plan to do the pump at the same time as I`m thinking there can`t be much more labour involved doing both as opposed to just the thermostat? Car has 72,000 miles on the clock
Carparts4less have 20% off this week which makes it a great price.

Not sure about the pump brand but from a cost and piece of mind view you may as well go the fully monty and do water pump, belt and tensioner whilst your at it. A full overhaul done for years to come.

 

[mrscalex]

I've heard people knocking the Circoli stuff but honestly I don't know. It's a bit of moot point for me as I'd never trust a critical system component from what I perceive to be a lower league player. Sorry if that sounds snobby!

Personally I stick to Meyle for water pumps and Behr/Mahle for Thermostat. £26 and £37 respectively last time I bought them. I move around who has the best offer on ebay.

Checking the ECP website and applying 50% off which is their usual best offer you would be paying £21 and £32 respectively for the Circoli. For me it's just not worth it.

 

[mrscalex]

And to answer your original question. Yes do both at the same time.

And don't under-estimate the cost of anti-freeze! I stick to BMW not because I think it's critical but because other makes like the stuff in Halfords aren't really any cheaper last time I checked.

And remember to use distilled water not tap water

 

[alec.m]

Thanks for your thoughts Robert. I would rather pay a little more and get an OEM equivalent. I've never heard of Circoli. I'll search eBay and see what's about.

 

[Mario]

I have fitted exactly the same brands that Robert recommended on my 3.0 - ideally you should replace both but it's perfectly possible to replace just the thermostat and not touch the water pump. One of those things, if you do the water pump have a look at the aux belt and the idlers tensiooners etc, you might as well change those "while you are there"

 

[jaguartvr]

Won't use europarts anymore, crap quality, service and knowledge.
I tend to use Aceparts on eBay and found them to be very good and have had no problems, although I have heard that they are owned by europarts.