In the past and up to several months ago, I’ve always gone with Saleri (Italy) pumps and Wahler (Germany) thermostats for the M54 and have had great results.
I only use Gates now after some cheap ones failed but didn't leak. Gates are very good. I have not had to replace one.
I had a wahler thermostat and my temp range was 93-96
I got a Wahler thermostat once who was the OEM maker for MB, the only difference between the Wahler and the old MB one was that there was a spot where the MB logo was, on the Wahler one that logo was gone, looks like it was there, but someone with an angle grinder scratched out the MB logo so it probably came off the same line that made the MB part.
I have had a car not bleed properly/ run hot (but not overheat) only when using the wrong thermostat. Replacing it with Wahler fixed the issue.
My 2007 MKV 2.5 Jetta is still having overheat problems even after changing the tstat to a OEM (Wahler) and the waterpump to one with metal impeller, which works way better than the original.
I recently changed the thermostat on my dad's car as well, I went with a wahler, and I'm observing the same things.
I decided to try another thermostat, this time a Wahler and nothing has changed as the car will still not get up to temperature and no hot air.
I installed a Gates one a couple months back and it worked well for a little while; engine got up to operating temp fairly quickly and stayed there, but now it’s running really cold no matter how long or how hard I drive it. Think it’s stuck open.
I changed on mine 2-3 months ago with a new one from Wahler/Borg Warner and now it's leaking through the connector.
Write your review
Help others - share your experience with this part.
Voted AGAINST engine oil RAVENOL on the rating page
The brake pads NIPPARTS got the first review!
The brake discs Hella got the first review!
The brake discs OEM Suzuki got the first review!
For tires OEM Toyota already 25 reviews.
For tires IRONMAN already 25 reviews.
For starter motor OEM Volkswagen already 25 reviews.
In the rating best ignition coil already 13 brands participate!
In the rating best fuel pump already 5 brands participate!
In the rating best turbocharger already 4 brands participate!
In the auto rating headlights for Volkswagen Golf already 5 brands participate!
In the auto rating brake pads for Mazda 5 already 10 brands participate!
In the auto rating brake pads for BMW M2 already 5 brands participate!
Voted AGAINST engine oil RED LINE on the rating page
Voted AGAINST engine oil PENNZOIL on the rating page
If choosing thermostat across many manufacturers, check the part ranking. If your choice is down to two brands, the PartReview part comparisons help.
We compare thermostat across these categories:
In March 2026 on PartReview, thermostat Gates were overall better than Wahler.
Thermostat Gates and Wahler were equally popular according to data in March 2026.
By vote balance, thermostat Gates surpassed Wahler:
By number of reviews, thermostat Wahler surpassed Gates:
In March 2026, according to PartReview, thermostat Gates led more car-specific ratings than Wahler:
Gates are chosen by owners of cars such as: Dodge RAM, and others.
Thermostat Wahler have not yet taken leading positions in car-specific ratings. You can help by adding a review and specifying your car.
If this comparison didn’t fully answer your question, there are many others on PartReview.
For example, comparisons of thermostat Gates with: MotoRad, OEM Volkswagen, Mahle, OEM Mazda, MOPAR, MISHIMOTO, OEM BMW, OEM Nissan, OEM Audi, Duralast.
Also available: comparisons of thermostat Wahler with: MotoRad, OEM Volkswagen, Mahle, OEM Mazda, MOPAR, MISHIMOTO, OEM BMW, OEM Nissan, OEM Audi, Duralast.
You can also see who is better among other thermostat manufacturers: Wahler or MotoRad, OEM Volkswagen or MotoRad, Mahle or MotoRad, OEM Mazda or MotoRad, MOPAR or MotoRad.
