[Viffermike]

(PLEASE NOTE: No more VIN decodings are needed; the mystery has been solved. Please see this thread.)

OK, boys and girls: To try to get to the bottom of the F22 missing-aux-radiator mystery that's explained on this thread, I've taken the VIN decoder info (full info only) posted and started a spreadsheet to compare individual build info. However, to make the process easier for me (and for you), I need more decoded VINs, and I need a place to gather the info more efficiently.

This appears to affect 228i M Sport and M235i models, and may affect some 228i Sport Line models, especially in 2014. Please only submit info if you have one of these cars.

So: to participate, please follow these steps:
1) Use this VIN decoder ONLY (at bmwarchiv.de; it's the most comprehensive I found)

2) Cut and paste everything from "Modellbezeichnung:" through "Werk:", as well as everything under both "Standard Equipment" and "Optional Equipment". Don't leave anything out (except, of course, for the actual VIN); there are a few semi-mysterious equipment codes that I already suspect may be key for this issue.

3) Include whether or not you have the second aux radiator on your car. How to tell: If your driver's-side lower valence intake is open and you see a radiator behind it, you have the extra radiator. If your driver's-side lower intake is blocked (i.e., solid plastic), you do NOT have the extra radiator.

4) Also include all Trims (M Sport or Sport Line) and Packages (Cold Weather Package, Technology Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Driver Assistance Package, Track Handling Package, Driver Assistance Plus) that you ordered on your car. These don't show up on VIN info as packages per se, and it may be important to know.

5) Send the info to either:
F22RadiatorInfo at gmail dot com (preferred; Please include your Bimmerpost username. I set this address up this morning)
OR
me (Viffermike) via PM

Please DO NOT POST YOUR VIN INFO ON THIS THREAD. It will only make it hard to read and track.

I'm focusing on U.S.-spec F22s, but I'll take Canada-spec info, too. I'll take xDrive and 'vert VIN info as well.

Collating this data will take a few days, depending on how much I receive. I'll post updates on this thread. Thanks, all; hopefully we'll get to the bottom of why some are getting the extra aux radiator on their car and some aren't!

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

OK, boys and girls: To try to get to the bottom of the F22 missing-aux-radiator mystery that's explained on this thread, I've taken the VIN decoder info (full info only) posted and started a spreadsheet to compare individual build info. However, to make the process easier for me (and for you), I need more decoded VINs, and I need a place to gather the info more efficiently.

So: to participate, please follow these steps:
1) Use this VIN decoder ONLY (at bmwarchiv.de; it's the most comprehensive I found)

2) Cut and paste everything from "Modellbezeichnung:" through "Werk:", as well as everything under both "Standard Equipment" and "Optional Equipment". Don't leave anything out (except, of course, for the actual VIN); there are a few semi-mysterious equipment codes that I already suspect may be key for this issue.

3) Also include all Packages that you ordered on your car (Cold Weather Package, Technology Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Driver Assistance Package, Track Handling Package, Driver Assistance Plus). These don't show up on VIN info as packages per se, and it may be important to know.

4) Send the info to either:
F22RadiatorInfo at gmail dot com (preferred; Please include your Bimmerpost username. I set this address up this morning)
OR
me (Viffermike) via PM

Please DO NOT POST YOUR VIN INFO ON THIS THREAD. It will only make it hard to read and track.

I'm focusing on U.S.-spec F22s, but I'll take Canada-spec info, too. The issue applies to both the 228i and M235i, and I'll take xDrive and 'vert VIN info.

Collating this data will take a few days, depending on how much I receive. I'll post updates on this thread. Thanks, all; hopefully we'll get to the bottom of why some are getting the extra aux radiator on their car and some aren't!

Dude this is awesome. Respect

[3.0L]

Information sent. My car has all of the radiators.

[moltenfire]

PM sent. 2015 M235i Canadian spec, and YES I have the aux radiator on the driver's side

[Viffermike]

Everyone,

I've received 17 or 18 submissions so far (evenly split between N20 and N55; thanks, all!), but I'm now in need of VIN info for a few "example" cars:

- Either car (228i or M235i) with 0842 (Cold Climate Version) in its VIN info
- 228i: any Sport Line models with one or both of the aux radiators (not sure if these exist)
- 228i M Sport: with the Track Handling Package but without the second aux radiator
- 228i M Sport: xDrive and convertible models
- 228i M Sport: 2014 model with automatic transmission
- M235i: non-convertible without the second aux radiator
- M235i: manual transmission

If your F22 falls into one of the above categories, I (and I'm sure plenty of others) would greatly appreciate your participation per the original post. Thanks a ton, everyone!

[338FREAK]

I should take delivery of my 2015 228ix Sportline thp this week or next. I can send my vin decoded when I get it.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by 338FREAK

I should take delivery of my 2015 228ix Sportline thp this week or next. I can send my vin decoded when I get it.

That'll be a good one to have since it's a Sport Line with THP. Really curious to know if Sport Line 228is have those aux radiators at all since it doesn't have the M Sport bodywork. Thanks in advance!

[Supernaut]

You've got mine as an M235i with manual transmission, right?

[wjones14]

Just picked up mine on Friday 10-Apr-2015. It DOES have the aux radiator on the driver's side.

2015 M235i (build date 02-Feb-2015)
6-speed manual
Technology Package
Driver Assist Package
M Performance Exhaust w/Rear Diffuser

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by wjones14

Just picked up mine on Friday 10-Apr-2015. It DOES have the aux radiator on the driver's side.

2015 M235i (build date 02-Feb-2015)
6-speed manual
Technology Package
Driver Assist Package
M Performance Exhaust w/Rear Diffuser

That was a very good day!

OOC, does the build day you were given correspond with build day on the VIN decoder? Mine was 1/31 by decoder but 2/2 per BMW.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

You've got mine as an M235i with manual transmission, right?

Yup!

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

That was a very good day!

OOC, does the build day you were given correspond with build day on the VIN decoder? Mine was 1/31 by decoder but 2/2 per BMW.

Ha! That's funny: I have nearly the same discrepancy; build start date of 2/2 during production, but an actual of 1/30 per VIN decoding. Nice!

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Everyone,

.............................. but I'm now in need of VIN info for a few "example" cars:
......................................
........................


- 228i M Sport: xDrive and convertible models..
........................

My 228i M Sport xDrive ragtop is supposed to arrive at my dealership this Thursday, so I'll email all my VIN related data at that time.

[philisme]

My Euro M235i AT (late 2013) doesn't have the driver side aux radiators.

Tell me you want more information

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by philisme

My Euro M235i AT (late 2013) doesn't have the driver side aux radiators.

Tell me you want more information

I'm limiting this to BMW NA (U.S. & Canada) right now ... but it's quite valuable to know that an early Euro-spec M235i doesn't have both. Is it an xDrive?

To that end: does anyone have a relatively recent (2015) Euro-spec M235i without the second driver-side radiator?

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

I'm limiting this to BMW NA (U.S. & Canada) right now ... but it's quite valuable to know that an early Euro-spec M235i doesn't have both. Is it an xDrive?

To that end: does anyone have a relatively recent (2015) Euro-spec M235i without the second driver-side radiator?

I think all European models are missing the 2nd one

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

I think all European models are missing the 2nd one

Very possible. I'm not really paying attention to European models; no time, or space in my brain.

Likely tonight, I am going to add a series of front-view pics of U.S. models, from the base 228i all the way through the M235i, that shows the aux radiator/intake hierarchy. They'll be added to the original VIN-submission instructions post. Based on what info I have so far, the anomaly only appears to affect 228i M Sport and some limited M235i models.

[moltenfire]

FYI to all, here's a pic of the 2nd radiator.

[quenotte]

Nearly full european M235i built in 2014/11 with 8AT and no aux driver radiator

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by moltenfire

FYI to all, here's a pic of the 2nd radiator.

Much appreciated, moltenfire. I haven't had time to post those line-spanning car-front shots yet; should be able to tonight. I'll post a closeup of a closed-off M Sport driver's side intake (on my own car, natch) to counterpoint this shot, too.

A preliminary note to all: it appears that all M235i models in the U.S. and Canada have the driver's-side aux radiator EXCEPT convertibles -- and all Euro-spec M235is DO NOT have the driver's side aux radiator, regardless of configuration or trim.

The radiator discrepancy appears to apply primarily to 228i M Sport models, for which I'd really like to have a couple more VIN decodings from owners who DO NOT have the driver's side aux radiator on their car. So far I have three such examples, but I'm not quite convinced that it's a large enough sample size to glean anything constructive from. More soon ...

[e90post_user]

Just PM'd you 2014 M235i manual - both radiators are present

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

A preliminary note to all: it appears that all M235i models in the U.S. and Canada have the driver's-side aux radiator EXCEPT convertibles -- and all Euro-spec M235is DO NOT have the driver's side aux radiator, regardless of configuration or trim.

I guess that would make up for the missing 12 v socket under the dash and badges on the fenders that the rest of the world gets.