Has anyone changed out their radiator for an all aluminum one? (tanks and all)

My rad has a hole...I suspect the local dealer did it (when changing out my water pump) but will not take responsibility...So I figured I could stuff an aluminum one in myself for the cost of them fixing the old one....

If you have R53 Aluminum rad experience...where did you get it, how well did it fit, how good does it work and how much was it worth????

Cheers,

Sean

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MINI-...toreQQtcZphoto

 

Can the radiator be repaired by a radiator shop

In the old days, with small leaks ~ we just threw some black pepper in there to plug up the holes.... ( But don't do that anymore ! It may plug up some of those tiny ports in the Cyl head )

 

IMO Just find one out of the junkyard. Isnt much sense in buying a uber expensive rad just to say you have and AL one. 1.6L isNT very hard to cool, and the radiator in stock form seems to be more then sufficient enough in size.

 

Well, I could repair it...but it will lose efficiency...and still the re+re costs are there...I can get a stock replacement around $200...but you still have the dreaded plastic tanks (somthing I never trusted)...
So if i'm spending the time to pull the damn thing I only want to replace it ONCE...and it has to be able to handle some track days in HOT weather....

So an AL rad is what I want! Not for the "kewl" factor but the "COOL" factor .

I just need to know if anyone else has done this...
If so how'd it all work out.

I see the PWR AL radiator is about $450...but the listing says (non S)...bummer.

 

I'd look at a recore. We have guys around here that will recore a rad for $100.