In the process of changing my water pump for my 550, do you guys suggest OEM or aftermarket? If aftermarket what's a good brand to go with? While I'm in there I plan on doing the thermostat, what else should I go ahead and change out? 110,000 miles. Thanks guys.

 

Did mine couple weeks ago, got water pump from BMW dealer that selling through ebay and replace thermostat as well, They give warranty for water pump for 3 years bmw specialist the store name

 

a friend of mine who had a water pump go bad on him-

was low on cash

we decided to get one off EBAY- 60$ for water pump with O-rings- refurbished i am guessing

the dam thing worked fine. has been working fine since

did not change thermostat


I WOULD NOT DO THAT TO MY CAR- but the dam 60$ part works just as good as any $200+ BMW OEM w

 

Ordered all of my stuff from Rockauto.com and had it all changed at the same time:

Gates Water Pump w/ metal impeller: $89
2 GoodYear accessory belts; $30
NGK spark plugs: $52
Standard Motor Products Coolant Recovery Tank: $71.79
Standard Motor Products Thermostat: $61
Victor Reinz Thermostat seal: $2

Also had hoses and coolant changed, but indy ordered those...

 

Just had to change out the water pump on my 545i again.

Two years ago in August my alternator voltage regulator failed, and I decided that while I had the engine apart I would do preventive maintenance on the water pump and thermostat.

I decided to try and save a few buck and went with Beck and Arnley. BIG MISTAKE.

The thermostat lasted exactly one week before I received an emissions error, and tracked it down to the heater coil in the thermostat (made in India) having burned out. Put in an OE Wahler and haven't had a problem since.

Then exactly two years later the water pump (made in China) gave up with a massive bearing failure and leak. Put in a quality Graf unit and all is well.

Moral of the story: You don't have to use BMW labeled or even OE parts, but use quality parts from name brand companies. Beck and Arnley isn't one of them.