Just sprung a leak in my 04 MSC radiator. Had it replaced in March 2006 after I hit a deer. Not sure it's still covered so I'm asking if there are any better replacement parts for the radiator. I've seen some performance ones for $900.00 but that's way out of my price range. Not crazy about the plastic parts on the OEM

 

Is it the radiator itself that's leaking, or a connector? I don't think that a replacement radiator would leak like this.

Unless your MINI is a track monster running at 110% in brutal summer heat all of the time, don't waste money on a 'performance' radiator.

 

Looks like it may be the connector in the upper left corner. Is there a gasket or some other type of sealant between the radiator and the connector?

 

I have a non-S was leaking at the same spot, I'm not sure if the S and Cooper use the same radiator, but my local BMW mechanic said the leak was coming from the gasket between the plastic reservoir and the metal heat exchanger and wasn't worth fixing so I replaced the radiator. Total cost around $450.00, lifetime warranty on the new radiator.

retroom