[kewlguy210]

I notice two days ago my coolant is low in my reservoir. Do I have to use bmw coolant or can I use stuff like Peak or Prestone? What's the cheapest place to buy bmw coolant?

[floydarogers]

The cheapest place to buy BMW coolant is... the BMW dealership.

Really, this has been covered multiple times, in multiple forums. Please do a search. One of the terms you can use is: "g48 antifreeze".

[evoix]

some coolants say mixes with any car any make like prestone but bmw claims their coolant is special for their cars because of some chemical anitoxidants and other crap. IF you get the dealer coolant you have to dilute it yourself with distilled water. BOth works but if you love your car pay a little extra but totally upto you. I had the same headache

[srezzo]

It's not worth risking putting incompatible crap in your car to save a few bucks. Go to the dealer to be 100% certain you're good!

[straightcashhomie]

BMW filled mines up for free...

[Avenged328i]

The dealer. Dude, coolant is only around $30 how cheap do you wanna get.
It's better to use their coolant (well, maybe not there is better ones out there) anyway.

Also, what is annoying to see is how people buy a luxury car and they want to start cheaping out on small bucks.
I mean, yeah who wants to spend money they don't want to, but don't cheap out at start buying even cheaper crap out there to save a few bucks so you can buy your date a meal tonight while you take her out in your BMW.

[ETexas335]

Zerex G-05 is the aftermarket equivalent, I believe. They sell it at O'Reilly's around here for $17/gal (full strength, so mix w distilled water also). It even has BMW/Mini Cooper listed on the container. I know some people say go get BMW coolant from the dealer, but I don't have a dealer that close and I buy from them as a last resort since they rip you off on everything else.

[kewlguy210]

Is Zerex G-05 what you used it your car?

Originally Posted by ETexas335

Zerex G-05 is the aftermarket equivalent, I believe. They sell it at O'Reilly's around here for $17/gal (full strength, so mix w distilled water also). It even has BMW/Mini Cooper listed on the container. I know some people say go get BMW coolant from the dealer, but I don't have a dealer that close and I buy from them as a last resort since they rip you off on everything else.

[duky]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

The cheapest place to buy BMW coolant is... the BMW dealership.

Yup, I took my out of warranty 07 to the dealer here and they filled the coolant for free no questions asked. I actually went to parts first to try and buy but they just said I should bring it round back.

[thomas88162]

In the end, it really doesn't matter as long as you A) Change your coolant when needed as preventative maintenance and B) DON'T mix coolants which are incompatible with each other (so if you're going with non BMW coolant, it's best to do a good flush).

[ndjenks]

I would use the BMW coolant from the dealership. Mix 50/50 with Distilled Water and you'll be good to go. Also, you may be able to just go to the dealer and ask them to top it off for you. You'd be surprised.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by kewlguy210

I notice two days ago my coolant is low in my reservoir. Do I have to use bmw coolant or can I use stuff like Peak or Prestone? What's the cheapest place to buy bmw coolant?

Have been using Peake (change every 2 years) since 50k. Car now has 110k and original water pump. It is phospgate free.

http://images.peakauto.com/PEAK_long..._LORES%201.pdf

[Efthreeoh]

Some dealers carry BMW coolant pre-mixed in quart bottles.

[jessandjamie]

So if its just from evaporation loss you just add water. Otherwise your not keeping a 50/50 ratio but rather more coolant than water. Coolant doesn't evaporate, water does.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by jessandjamie

So if its just from evaporation loss you just add water. Otherwise your not keeping a 50/50 ratio but rather more coolant than water. Coolant doesn't evaporate, water does.

This is not correct. The water does not separate from the coolant and escape the system. If the coolant reservoir cap is weak or defective it can allow for vaporized coolant to escape the system, which then needs to be replaced with a 50/50 mix of coolant and (distilled) water. The cooling system can also leak from the temperature probe in the bottom radiator hose.

[jessandjamie]

So straight water evaporates at 212 and Ethylene glycol or whatever is in coolant evaporates at 387 ish. I'm pretty sure its not evaporating since coolant is at 190 during normal conditions. There are also 2 air bleed valves in the coolant system of an n54 at least.

[m@rco]

Originally Posted by jessandjamie

So straight water evaporates at 212 and Ethylene glycol or whatever is in coolant evaporates at 387 ish. I'm pretty sure its not evaporating since coolant is at 190 during normal conditions. There are also 2 air bleed valves in the coolant system of an n54 at least.

A fluid's boiling temperature is something else than the temperature at which a fluid could evaporate...

[AllBlackBimmer]

BMWs are known for runing very hot, and have always had "cooling system problems"

Coolant in my car is not something I want to cheap out on. The "BMW" coolant isn't much more expensive than any other coolant, so not sure what benifits there are to saving $7 or something irrelevant compared to a $10k+ car....

[ETexas335]

Originally Posted by kewlguy210

Is Zerex G-05 what you used it your car?

Yes

[X5-User]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Have been using Peake (change every 2 years) since 50k. Car now has 110k and original water pump. It is phospgate free.

http://images.peakauto.com/PEAK_long..._LORES%201.pdf

Nice !! I will start using Peak then I heard some good feedback about it.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by nebrou

Nice !! I will start using Peak then I heard some good feedback about it.

Cool. They also have a long life 50/50 antifreeze. Mixing of distilled water is not necessary. http://www.peakauto.com/products/ant...g-life-50-50-/

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by jessandjamie

So straight water evaporates at 212 and Ethylene glycol or whatever is in coolant evaporates at 387 ish. I'm pretty sure its not evaporating since coolant is at 190 during normal conditions. There are also 2 air bleed valves in the coolant system of an n54 at least.

Not when they are chemically bonded to each other in solution.