Normally, for most things, I usually can talk myself into the fact that OEM is always better choice; however, I am stuck on a water pipe for my '11 Base Coupe. I do need to replace my thermostat and have the OEM version plus the harness adapter for that. I read that I should, for sure, replace the water pipe while I am at it. Cool, no problem. However, the OEM version is more than double any of the other aftermarkets. As with most things on ECS, nothing has actual reviews, so it is hard to make any decision at all. The other thing I find strange is that the alternative manufacturers are Febi, Burgaflex, Hamburg Tech, and Vaico (though this isn't in stock). What I find strange is that each of these all have a different ECS part number, but they are all the same exact part number as the MINI OEM Part (except the FEBI) yet they are all different prices. Are these all the same exact aftermarket sold under different manufacturer names?

Can anyone make any recommendations or share experience on aftermarket pipes?

NOTE: I did talk with Kyle at ECS and he recommended the Febi but wanted to at least attempt getting some actual use feedback before I made the purchase.

 

I've been using the water pipes I found on ebay for ~$14. I got them in and can't tell anything different than the factory pipe. Both are plastic and it's going to take some hard convincing to tell me the chemical make up of the two items are vastly different. It's a very simple design and I'm willing to take the risk. Time will tell, but both seem like regular ol' plastic.

 

There has been some debate about the fitment of the aftermarket pipes, compared to the OEM pipe. The aftermarket pipes seem to be hit or miss as to how well they fit into the water pump connection. Some have not been able to get the pipe to seat into the pump housing, and had to purchase an OEM pipe just to get it all back together. I hope it works out for you.

 

I recently (June/July) replaced the water pipe on my 2007 MCS and it was a bear to get in the water pump housing. I did not have any problems initially after getting it back on the road but believe I'm leaking coolant at the thermostat to water pipe connection. I haven't been able to confirm that's where it's leaking from yet because I'm waiting on a new fuel line for the low pressure side of the HPFP (just ordered yesterday). If that's where it's leaking from I'll plan on first just replacing the seal where they join before I try taking it all out. If that doesn't work I'll go with the OEM pipe....but really don't want to hassle with it because it's a good bit of work. I've read in the forums of people replacing them without removing the intake manifold but that's got to be hard. I had a hard enough time installing the new one without the intake manifold in place.

 

I have a Citroen DS3 with the same engine as in Mini n14 its just called EP6. I have changed the water pipe to aftermarket being assured by the store seller that there is no difference in quality between OEM and aftermarket pipe. The aftermarket pipe blow up on parking in less than a month of usage throwing at least 2 liters of antifreeze on the floor. Later I founded that it could have happen due to faulty coolant bottle cap that releases the pressure. I decided to go for OEM water pipe since the difference was like 5 EUR more from aftermarket and got a new coolant bottle cap. I would never buy again aftermarket water pipe since its quite a big job to change it . Just not worth the saving and risking for such a vital part.

In my opinion when it comes to changing thermostat, water pipe or water pump the best is to change them altogether as they are plastic parts in a very hot working engine and be over it for at least few years.

 

I work at a BMW/MINI shop (I'm not a tech), and we will not install anything but the MINI thermostat and pipe....if we ever have a customer insist, we might consider doing it, but we would not warranty it. There have been too many issues with people having fitment problems with aftermarket pipes, and total failures of the aftermarket thermostats.

 

Replaced the thermostat and waterpipe on Vlad not to long ago. Pipe had a crack in it at the o-ring on the pump side. Others may think differently but if I've got to pull it that far apart to change a part I'm gonna put the best part I can find back in. I consider my time valuable and I'd rather do it right once, than have to redo it and spend twice the money and especially twice the time.

 

I went with the OEM pipe after reading all the fitment issues with aftermarket pipes. The only way I’d go aftermarket is if where made out of something else other than plastic, like aluminum.

 

I recently replaced the thermostat and water pipe. Went with OEM thermostat, but since the pipe broke whilst replacing the thermostat, I needed it quick and did an aftermarket choice on Amazon. It fit fine, I compared it to the original and not much different. I just started driving the car again daily so how it holds up to the engine heat will be the factor for me and not so much fit. Sometimes it's just not worth saving the bucks, but if it fails I'll def come back and list the make and vendor for prosperity to avoid.

 

The only fitment issue I see if getting the O-ring end into the engine block side of the water pump. I found with a small amount of engine assembly lube and some careful pressure, the pipe will slide into position. I've used the aftermarket pipes on a few cars and haven't had an issue yet. I have 3 cars I'm working on that will all get the aftermarket pipe, so I'll report back if I get a common issue with all 3.
I think it's a horrible design. The thermostat housing, pipe to water pump could have been done better, but now that I've done a few, I know where to look, apply pressure and confirm things are where they need to be.
I've been comparing OEM components to the aftermarket (water pump, thermostat housing, water pipe, turbos) and I've yet to find any significant difference that makes me think the aftermarket will not handle the job long term. I'm using my current backlog of 4 Mini rebuilds as testbeds for the aftermarket parts. We'll see what happens.

 

Reviving a somewhat old thread: yesterday I had to redo my water pipe job on my wife's Mini. In the end I believe I haven't pushed the pipe in far enough. I was using a Febi brand pipe. I had another pipe (again: Febi) in my shelf, and I thought I'll just put a new one in.

While looking at the old pipe I found the pump side O-ring had fine cuts. Verifying the groove on the old and new pipe showed that the plastic wasn't deburred.

Are the OEM pipes better?

 

We've had this same issue with the aftermarket pipes. I'd just get an orignal MINI pipe and it will fit.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/water-...9-r60-r61.html

 

I think the aftermarket one I installed (without issue with a little electronics grease) was $70.
An extra $20 for peace of mind and confidence would be worth it.

 

Either way, take some time to inspect for burrs on the new unit. I find quality issues all the time on stuff like this. It was much worse when I started working on cars in the 90's. Quality these days, although much derided and easily publicized, is better.

 

I recently installed a Burgaflex water pipe. Half the price of the OEM. The replacement pipe had a small thin casting similar as pictured in the o-ring valley. I took a screw driver, ground out the left over casting material, inserted the o-ring with a little dielectric grease, and no issues. The OEM pipe lasted me 10 years, looking for another 10 years out of this unit.

 

I installed a Burgaflex water pipe in my 2009 R56 base.

It was a terrible experience. I fitted one end into the block at the water pump, but had one awful time mating the pipe to the Thermostat as the rubber O-ring would not stay in place. After an eternity, I got everything back together.

A few weeks later, the pipe developed a slow leak at the water pump end.

Replacing the pipe is such a difficult job, I'm sticking with a Mini pipe next time.

 

Installing these helps a bunch. make sure when you make the thermostat into the waterpipe connection that the thermostat is flush on the side of the block. A Little grease on the o-rings helps the pipe slide into the back of the waterpump and into the thermostat.

Most of the time when we see things leak afterwards they missed on the install and something did not seat well. if you have a probelm with a part you can always hit me up on the DM here, or set up a return with our team.


Here is some DIYs to help.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rmostat-431267


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8-no-heat.html

 

ECS

Can you advise as to your experience regarding fit and leak problems with various brands of Mini water pipes, Burgaflex, Fibo, etc.

I had a bad experience with a Burgaflex pipe (see above) and have read about many similar experiences.

Thanks!

 

I used the febi one and did my thermostat with our bremmen part, The febi one was a hair tight so i added some grease. Its like a puzzle when you take it apart and put it back together the same, on this DIY its really critical.

Genuine is the original cast and all these aftermarkets make the cast off the oem part, if they are off a hair with this part you just have to make it work if its a hair off. Mine was fine, but you might see like 1 out of 30 that have a little piece of extra plastic from the cast and you clean it off before install.

I have also seen oem part that have little mistakes, not everything is perfect, They might be 1-60or70.

MINI just sent us GP1 stickers that were factory Black for the license plate (they have been like that since 2006 and they showed up clear, even the big Manufactures make mistake, I then have to work with MINIUSA and parts network to have the part corrected.

That does not come from the dealership level as they dont really do that many parts or sell all those weird parts, we do.

For a short time when MINI had a major shortage on Thermostat housings at the dealership that were Genuine, we sold them our Bremmen part so we could help out down cars at the dealer. I even drove one to the dealer myself local to help out a customer with a down car at the dealership.

Does not happen much, but happens.

 

The water pump on my car failed at the bearings, still usable but the impeller was no longer exactly where it should be. As a result, the impeller chewed up the water pipe. I figured I would change out the thermostat housing to keep from having to go back in there in a short period of time. I changed out the thermostat housing, water pipe, and water pump with MINI branded parts purchased from ECS. That was over 14,000 coolant leak free miles ago.