Yes and no.  It was more of a whine about how everyone is moving their
production to China, and usually, the quality suffers.  That being said, the
last Behr (made in China) radiator that I installed actually looked pretty
good.

And truthfully, I'm still seing quite a few German Behr radiators for the
Vanagon coming down the pipe.  Probably old stock.

As for a better brand... I prefer the German made AKG radiators.

Cheers,

Jeff

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Jake de Villiers [mailto:crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com]
  Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 5:04 PM
  To: VW Doka
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
  Subject: Re: Radiator vintage?

  Are you implying anything there Jeff?  Is there a better brand?  Just
asking.........

  On Nov 30, 2007 4:25 PM, VW Doka < vw.doka@gmail.com> wrote:

    Ah yes, the German Behr radiator...  now made in China.

    Cheers,

    Jeff

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
    Of Jeffrey Vickers
    Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 3:48 PM
    To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
    Subject: Re: Radiator vintage?

    Thanks, Mark. I'll have a look tonight. Looks like Bus Depot has the
    best deal right now on Behrs---$149.

    Jeff
    On Nov 30, 2007, at 3:23 PM, Mark Drillock wrote:

    > If you look over the radiator closely there will be a date code on
    > it. The part number you gave won't do it.
    >
    > Often, on the passenger side plastic end tank, fairly high up the
    > side, there will be a molded in circular emblem with a 2 digit
    > number in the center. That number is the year it was made. It can
    > be seen with the radiator installed.
    >
    > Replacement tanks may have a date sticker but those can fall off
    > over time.
    >
    > Mark
    >
    > Jeffrey Vickers wrote:
    >
    >> Can anyone tell me the vintage of my radiator from the number: 068 12
    >> 253 E? Its an 87 Syncro Westy that I bought in '92 so I know its at
    >> least 15 years old but I'm wondering if its stock and if its been
    >> replaced before.
    >> Thanks!
    >> Jeff
    >

  --
  Jake
  1984 Vanagon GL
  1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
  Crescent Beach, BC
  www.crescentbeachguitar.com
  http://subyjake.googlepages.com/