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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
I will soon need an upper radiator hose for R53.2. MINI p/n 17127515501. Which are the OE equivalents: MINI being most expensive, Gates not much cheaper. Meyle less than half price, and Rein and URO are rock bottom prices.
I stick with OEM for radiator hoses. 19 years later and the hoses on my M Coupe look and feel brand new. I buy most (probably all tbh) of my OEM parts from thebmwminipartstore dot com - great prices and really fast shipping.
Thanks for the inputs. I know I want to stay with OE quality but not the OE MINI price. I was hoping that someone has the eyes and can discern crap from OE will share their experience with either Meyle or Rein. Both are often OEM suppliers for German cars. I am sure BMW source their coolant hose from one of these usual suspects. On the other hand, I observe that many German brand OE equivalent has gone to hell in a hand basket due to racing to the bottom, and manufacturer or even outsourced to the cheapest labour in Asian countries.
All the hoses on my R53.2 are like the first day I receive the Mini. Only the top radiator hose has some abrasion damage because of chaffing. No sign of deterioration, looseness, or glued to the hard pipes.
Gates is priced close to MINI's so no saving there. Anyone, including ECS, with first hand experience with Meyle or Rein?
Had no issues with the aftermarket hoses, I changed them on mine due to very high miles, like 250K plus and they were getting soft and bulging. The cheaper units on cost sometimes don't come with the clamps or you reuse the extra plastic sleeves(from chaffing). They also will be not as many layer as let say the gates version. Thats the big difference i have seen.
Had no issues with the aftermarket hoses, I changed them on mine due to very high miles, like 250K plus and they were getting soft and bulging. The cheaper units on cost sometimes don't come with the clamps or you reuse the extra plastic sleeves(from chaffing). They also will be not as many layer as let say the gates version. Thats the big difference i have seen.
Did MINI added a sleeve later because of chaffing? My 05 didn't have one and because of chaffing I am shopping for one due to early abrasion that I caught.
chaffing damage on my upper hose (circled)
Can you comment on Meyle specifically, as it is a long time German brand?
I went with my intuition and bought the one by Meyle as it is a German OEM. I have no reason to expect the hose would be made in Germany these days. The price is a fraction of MINI or Gates. It arrived and passed my inspection - visual and tactile. It looks and feels as good as any German OE hose. One thing that I also expected is it would not have the index markings for the hose clamps on the OE.
packaging looks good - it is made in Turkey
the bends and flares on two ends look good
parts marking looks good
reinforcement in hose looks good
I will install it next time I put the Mini in the front end service mode.
This is a very timely thread. I just ordered an upper hose for my r53. When I had the car in service mode a couple weekends ago, I noticed that the PO had forgotten to attach the upper hose support to the engine at some point and the hose had been rubbing on the radiator fan shroud.....had a spot worn about half way through. Glad I caught it.
I decided to chance it on a cheaper hose as this car isn’t a daily driver and is somewhat of a “project”.
Just for reference sake, here are some pics of the URO brand hose. The quality seems relatively decent. Just visually comparing with the pics of the Meyle above, this URO May have a very slightly thinner wall...but I think it’s probably adequate. Time will tell I suppose.
