There is fluid loss from the ps cooler and the atf cooler. Brake hose clamp tools are handy to block off the ps hoses to reduce the amount which escapes.
Laser 7254 Hose Clamp

All the non-genuine rads I've seen come from the same Chinese tooling. The Mahle one just has an expensive sticker on it.

Ramps will be fine and won't affect refilling the ATF

In a word, yes. In terms of everything else, MJ is the expert.

From a personal standpoint, and finally replacing the radiator five years after asking the question, my experience was somewhat different. I had the entire front end off the car, so can only comment on radiator fitment. I purchased a budget priced one, and the only fitting issue I experienced was the threaded stud used to hold the piece of plastic trim at the top of the radiator. I documented it all in the following post, but it's very long with lots of photos, but it's the black threaded stud in this photo:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1682846910

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showpost....3&postcount=52

Aha. I have clamps. Will ramp it and I will remove the front bumper - saw a chap on youtube do it. :)

I did spot a genuine one on tradition but getting it here safely (as MJ mentioned a while back) would be a challenge?

'Budget' radiator it is then.

Thanks guys. +++

iirc its fairly random whether that threaded bung is pointed the right way or not. When I get a backwards one I just drill it out and fit a rivnut.

I've had reasonable quality and success with NRF aircon parts, and their D2 rad is about mid-priced. The pic in this ebay listing does have the threaded doodad in the right direction I think.

Well, all done. Budget radiator in and all seems good. Had an issue where the ATF connections didn't appear to seat properly but a quick message to MJ confirmed all is well.

The ATF loss, not sure about 200ml but stuck 200ml back in just in case :)

One thing I did note was the ATF was pink coming out but the stuff I managed to buy was clear. Not an issue I am thinking :Confused:


http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1697560312

It was filled with red atf at some point in its past. I emptied as much as I could and refilled with AG52, but the pink dye will be persistent for some time.

A dynamic oil atf change would flush it properly but I was quoted £500 for that recently :ROFL:

...with whatever red ATF has the best profit margin for the owner of the machine :tuttut: