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Hi all, has anyone had to change the rad on their c5? If so, can you remember how much the parts were.
I've been quoted around £700 and just having a look around to see if I can get one cheaper. The cost of 6 hrs labour to do it is an added ball ache...

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I posted some info about Valeo or other brand rads. There's a thread on it somewhere. MUCH cheaper.

Mine needed done after low speed fender bender. Insurance job but I do not remember anything as steep as this. My recall was bumper, intercooler, rad and headlight under 3K. The rad was definitely not 700 with work.

As if by magic, this thread just zombied:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=106266&p=684514#p684514

Cheers Shopp, I had actually looked at that thread off the back of you last post so thank you. I am investigating it further...

I had to change my radiator before the car was sold (ok, offloaded due to a 335d purchase - where do I hide)

It cost about £250 for a rad from some place I'd never heard of before... turned up, genuine, an absolute ball ache to change on the drive but no other parts required. I had to replace mine as the ATF unions had corroded and were leaking.

I did take pics of the process but never put them up... short of it was removal of the bumper which is actually rather simple (small bolts under the arches are a bitch to get to), drained the A/C and moved the rad, drained coolant and off with the pipes on the drivers side (clips also a bitch to get to), a few bolts on the mounts and then off with the ATF pipes.

Fitting was of course, the reverse of removal expect more of a bitch - the top ATF pipe particularly took me ages and many, many swear words. Once on she was back together and did need a gearbox top-up due to lost fluid. In hindsight i wished I'd tried to just pump an extra 1/2 litre into the ATF return pipe... Also an AC recharge. It took me probably 8 hours over several evenings but with a ramp, tools and experience I'd expect it done in less than 6 hours.

Thanks Ross, very helpful info. Unfortunately I do not possess the skills or confidence to do this myself so will get it booked in somewhere! The good news is that I've found a rad for just under £200. One of the ATF unions is knackered on mine too which is why I'm having to get it changed. Just wish I had the dough to get Wagners put on whilst the front end is off!

Sorry was meant to be PM.

Where did you get the Rad in the end ?

What was the part number as I have a little weep too!

Ian

My car is a 2003 and Audi say the part number for the rad is 4B3121251E (vagcat too) but the NRF radiator shown above is listed as 4B3121251D on their site (phoned too). Is there any difference between these two part numbers? Will it fit my 2003 RS6?

I just want to make sure i'm buying the right part.

Cheers.

I think the D is the A6 / S6 4.2 rad and the E is the RS6 rad. I'll bet E is larger capacity, but couldn't say for certain.

Valeo also list the D for the RS6, also the S6 and A6 4.2.

4B3 121 251D is indeed the part number for the S6.

Question is, are they the same? I suspect they are.

These are the dimensions of the 'D'.



You could measure yours to compare.