Just to update this, I've managed to source an OEM manufacturer fan (complete fan, blades and shroud) brand new for £106.00
On realoem there are two types of additional fans shown for my, not sure why (maybe one for aircon cars and one for none aircon ones in hot markets that needed extra fan).
Anyhow my car had this fan:
It's on back order from BMW and even with a discount from Soper still around £300...when you look at it you just cannot see why it's that price, it's not as good as aftermarket options like Kenlowe that are around £200...just bumped up pricing for no good reason, don't like that!
BMW only offer the fan complete with motor, blades and the whole shroud...
I took my fan out and looked over it and the motor comes away from the shroud easily enough so began looking for a new replacement motor on its own.
Then I came across this from Eurocarparts - a Trucktec (German OEM manufacturer) fan complete with shroud for 328i and various other 6cyl and 4cyl 3 series.
ECP LINK:
http://www.eurocarparts.com/search/213110190/p/home
eBay ECP link:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=351123702620&globalID=EBAY-GB
I ordered it with the plan to take the motor out and put it into my old shroud.
When I got it I noticed the only difference was an extra piece of plastic moulding or 'bulge' on the front top corner of the shroud. All the mounting holes, plugs, motor and fan blades where identical.
That and the fact that it doesn't have the extra grille on the front (and corresponding screw holes).
My old one (already disassembled) on the left and the new on the right - yellow circle showing the difference:
So I decided to use the whole fan and new shroud as it came with a simple modification with the Dremel to remove the extra plastic 'bulge'. This extra piece is not part of the shroud body or structure, literally just and extra addition probably to take up some space left open on the 3series.
It plugs straight into the existing connectors (still 3wires and 2 speed). Works perfectly. I will retrofit the grille from my old shroud later, that is just a case of making small holes and even re-using the existing screws from the old shroud.
It's worth pointing out that the fan motor can be disassembled and serviced (if you are good with motors). Mine was corroded on the inside and one of the magnets had come away causing slow/noisy running. I imagine someone good with motors could have fixed it and I would have looked at that option if didn't find a brand new replacement for £100..
Pics of the old fan motor split apart:
Spins smoothly and quietly again. My fan must have been on its way out for some time as I do not remember the fan being as quiet as this brand new unit. Happy for now.
One more thing - if any of your are going to get the viscous out of the way for whatever reason I strongly urge you change the thermostat housing. The cr@p plastic housing that BMW fitted cracks...luckily mine cracked after a gentle cruise just as I pulled up at home. In the US they sell aftermarket aluminium ones, I wanted the car back on the road ASAP so plumped for a new OEM unit but will fit an aluminium one when I can.
The OEM housing that cracked on mine was only around 5yrs old I believe...
On realoem there are two types of additional fans shown for my, not sure why (maybe one for aircon cars and one for none aircon ones in hot markets that needed extra fan).
Anyhow my car had this fan:
It's on back order from BMW and even with a discount from Soper still around £300...when you look at it you just cannot see why it's that price, it's not as good as aftermarket options like Kenlowe that are around £200...just bumped up pricing for no good reason, don't like that!
BMW only offer the fan complete with motor, blades and the whole shroud...
I took my fan out and looked over it and the motor comes away from the shroud easily enough so began looking for a new replacement motor on its own.
Then I came across this from Eurocarparts - a Trucktec (German OEM manufacturer) fan complete with shroud for 328i and various other 6cyl and 4cyl 3 series.
ECP LINK:
http://www.eurocarparts.com/search/213110190/p/home
eBay ECP link:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=351123702620&globalID=EBAY-GB
I ordered it with the plan to take the motor out and put it into my old shroud.
When I got it I noticed the only difference was an extra piece of plastic moulding or 'bulge' on the front top corner of the shroud. All the mounting holes, plugs, motor and fan blades where identical.
That and the fact that it doesn't have the extra grille on the front (and corresponding screw holes).
My old one (already disassembled) on the left and the new on the right - yellow circle showing the difference:
So I decided to use the whole fan and new shroud as it came with a simple modification with the Dremel to remove the extra plastic 'bulge'. This extra piece is not part of the shroud body or structure, literally just and extra addition probably to take up some space left open on the 3series.
It plugs straight into the existing connectors (still 3wires and 2 speed). Works perfectly. I will retrofit the grille from my old shroud later, that is just a case of making small holes and even re-using the existing screws from the old shroud.
It's worth pointing out that the fan motor can be disassembled and serviced (if you are good with motors). Mine was corroded on the inside and one of the magnets had come away causing slow/noisy running. I imagine someone good with motors could have fixed it and I would have looked at that option if didn't find a brand new replacement for £100..
Pics of the old fan motor split apart:
Spins smoothly and quietly again. My fan must have been on its way out for some time as I do not remember the fan being as quiet as this brand new unit. Happy for now.
One more thing - if any of your are going to get the viscous out of the way for whatever reason I strongly urge you change the thermostat housing. The cr@p plastic housing that BMW fitted cracks...luckily mine cracked after a gentle cruise just as I pulled up at home. In the US they sell aftermarket aluminium ones, I wanted the car back on the road ASAP so plumped for a new OEM unit but will fit an aluminium one when I can.
The OEM housing that cracked on mine was only around 5yrs old I believe...
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