S3 Cooler- Are these real or fake ??

CupraTOC

Active Member
Apr 1, 2015
229
7
So I took delivery of this today as per my previous thread... I need your help deciding if it is real. There is no Audi, Vw logo or part numbers in the castings on the end tanks. The internals look ok as far as tube and fin design goes but what do I know?







 

CupraTOC

Active Member
Apr 1, 2015
229
7
Yup, I bought from their ebay 'sister store' srs-auto. I emailed Darkside to see if the units they were advertising as Original S3 coolers for £300 plus VAT were genuine and they said they are not. They also said that the units selling on srs-auto, have not been advertised as genuine even though they use the Audi part number and list it as VW (OE).

This is getting sent back and I am buying from Awesome GTI who have confirmed that they sell the genuine product.
 

CupraTOC

Active Member
Apr 1, 2015
229
7
The charge inlet side finning or lack thereof is shocking, the core just looks like cheap Sh#! . Too many negative reviews on cheap coolers not doing what they should and considering its a front end off jobbie, I wont be taking that risk with cheap aftermarket parts.
 

richicupra

Active Member
Jan 29, 2012
1,826
9
The charge inlet side finning or lack thereof is shocking, the core just looks like cheap Sh#! . Too many negative reviews on cheap coolers not doing what they should and considering its a front end off jobbie, I wont be taking that risk with cheap aftermarket parts.

Fair enough, one to avoid then! Cheers
 

CupraTOC

Active Member
Apr 1, 2015
229
7
They've accepted the return with no issues and have since edited the ebay listing. They told me none of the intercoolers on the website are genuine however they can get the OEM S3 cooler if requested.
 

CupraTOC

Active Member
Apr 1, 2015
229
7
I've bagged myself a second hand one today, I'll just give it a good flush and degrease and should be as good as new :D
One thing I have noticed is the S3 cooler has two different part numbers for the same item. 1K0145803P is the official part number but also has another part number on the end tanks 1K0145927F ?
 
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