This is a compete cooling system overhaul kit, which includes all the common cooling system failure parts bundled into a complete package. This cooling system package is for the 2008-2010 E60 528i/528xi models with an automatic transmission (N52 engine).
Much of the later E60 cooling system is strong and reliable compared to the previous generation 5-series models. But there is still the potential for serious cooling system and engine-related failures. On the N52 engine the electric water pump is the weakest link. It will fail without much warning and shut down the engine. Preventative replacement is the best course of action and the water pump and thermostat should be done before they reach 60,000 miles. Several other cooling components are due for replacement by 100,000 miles to prevent other breakdowns. A failure in the cooling system can lead to overheating and catastrophic engine failure. Don't gamble your engine! By replacing these core items preventatively you are defusing what could be a ticking cooling system time bomb. And if you've had a failure of one of these parts, now is the time to refresh your entire cooling system.
Our base kit comes with the OEM Behr thermostat, Original BMW electric water pump with mounting screws, and the u-shaped hose between the pump and thermostat. From there you can add additional items to complete the overhaul - radiator, expansion tank, cap, and new radiator hoses..
E60 528i Automatic Radiator Options. There are two styles of radiators for the E60 6-cylinder and automatic transmission: original and updated. You can use either radiator as long as you have the correct corresponding parts to go with it. Both radiators are still available from BMW or the OE supplier Behr. If it were up to us we would prefer the updated style because it won't cause any confusion down the road and it reduces the number of potential leak points by eliminating an unnecessary fitting.
- Original, BMW #17117534914. This setup has an extra fitting for the engine oil heat exchanger along with a hose that attaches to the water pump pipe and heat exchanger. In order to use this radiator you must use the corresponding hose. This was the original setup as the car was built at the factory and is pictured in the radiator image to the right. At some point BMW stopped listing this part number in their official diagrams and used the 209 number below.
- Updated, BMW #17117519209. This is the updated style from BMW. If your radiator was replaced at some point after 2010 it most likely has this radiator style. On this radiator they did away with the extra fitting for the heat exchanger. When looking at the ETK or RealOEM diagrams it will only list this radiator but with a note saying you also need two compensators (spacer blocks, #17117520335) and the hose (11537519494).
Click here for diagrams of both E60 radiator options.
E60 528i Cooling Hoses. There are a lot of hoses on the N52 engine. Not all of them need to be replaced during an overhaul but it would be a good idea. The hoses themselves don't wear but the metal spring clips on the connector lose their tension over time and that can lead to a leak. It's worse when re-using a hose after it's already been disconnected. Since our package includes the thermostat, water pump, and radiator we offer all of the hoses related to those components. Use the diagram on the right to see where each is connected in the engine bay. Evaluate your current hoses and then decide which ones to replace. One note about the lower radiator hose: when ordering a new hose you must order a new temp sensor. Do not reuse the original temp sensor as it will leak on the new hose.
This item fits the following BMWs:
2008-2010 E60 BMW 528i 528xi with automatic transmission
