coolant tank OEM or aftermarket?

[TPRJIMMI]

I need to replace my coolant tank and wondered what experience anyone has had with aftermarket (less expensive) tanks. Internet prices are all over the map. TIA

[Deserion]

Most reports of the aftermarket tanks show that they have issues far quicker than the OE tank. Since the job is a royal pain, no reason to do it more than utterly necessary.

[RedTele58]

Go with an OEM unit.
There's far too many stories about early failure of aftermarket units.

[Nedlands]

OEM tank will pay for itself when you don't have to do the job again

[dghii]

This job isn’t a fun DYI. The hand you’ll us to pat yourself on the back for saving a few $$ with an after market tank will be the same hand slapping your forehead when you have to redo the job in a few years.

[robdelorenzo]

I know in spite of all you are reading, I will throw this out to you.
I have a brand new "German" brand tank in the box (With the paperwork) that I will let go at a very reasonable price, if you are interested.
PM me please, if so.

[Steelepuls]

Go with OEM, I bought an aftermarket one and the port for the temp sensor was not fully cut and the sensor would not go in all the way. I had to pull it up again and ended up getting OEM after all.

[TPRJIMMI]

Thanks for all your replies. I took your advice and went OEM (German). Got lazy and decided to go indie repair.

[El 3.2S]

I changed the coolant tank on my 2000 S earlier this year. In addition I also changed the thermostat, belt, water pump and coolant. I decided to save some money and got an aftermarket tank, as all the other parts were oem. Six months down the line, no leaks or anything from the tank but I do get the low coolant light flashing, even though the level is right on the mark. It seems the float which measures the coolant level, does not always float properly and it kind of sticks. I can get it to work by reaching in with a long screw driver and jiggling it around a bit. This enables it to work without flashing for a bit but it always resorts back.
Only good thing is if it does ever fail completely sometime in the future, the job of replacing it again will be a lot easier second time around!