1st Gen R53 Cooper S Water type to be used when mixing with antifreeze ?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by pfspeeddemon, Jun 9, 2012.

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  1. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #1 pfspeeddemon, Jun 9, 2012
    Hi all,

    I have a 2002 Mini Cooper S and I have decided to change the coolant as it was last changed in 2007. I intend getting the oem BMW Mini antifreeze but I would like to hear from you folks on this forum about which water should I use to mix with the antifreeze because after trawling the net to see what water is recommended I am none the wiser (actually, I am more confused after having done that as I have found conflicting posts for each and every type of water ! )

    The contenders that I've seen on the net are distilled water, RO (reverse osmosis) water, bottled drinking water and deionized water (tap water being the one which was the least recommended). Could you please tell me which water is the best to use to make a coolant mix for my Cooper S?

    Tx in advance
     
  2. SooperCooperInfo

    SooperCooperInfo Member

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    #2 SooperCooperInfo, Jun 9, 2012
    I only use distilled water.
     
  3. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #3 pfspeeddemon, Jun 9, 2012
    Thanks SooperCooperInfo for the prompt reply !:wink:
     
  4. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
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    #4 rum4, Jun 9, 2012
    I only use distilled water
     
  5. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #5 pfspeeddemon, Jun 9, 2012
    Thank you rum4 ! :wink:
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #6 Crashton, Jun 9, 2012
    Distilled water FTW.... :D
     
  7. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #7 Metalman, Jun 9, 2012
    Yeah, distilled anything FTW......:D
     
  8. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #8 pfspeeddemon, Jun 9, 2012
    Another relevant question : what type of water is used in premixed coolants ?

    ( and also, Thank you for your contributions Metalman and Crashton ! :wink:)
     
  9. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #9 ScottinBend, Jun 9, 2012
    Usually distilled and sometime filtered
     
  10. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #10 pfspeeddemon, Jun 10, 2012
    Thanks ! So I would be safe with both distilled and RO water to make my coolant mix, right ? Which would you go for since our Mini's have aluminum radiators ?
     
  11. SMOG

    SMOG ZOOOOOMMMM
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    #11 SMOG, Jun 10, 2012
    Just to take the discussion a step further, how about water cooling additives? They are supposed to improve the cooling ability of water/coolant.
     
  12. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #12 minimark, Jun 10, 2012
    They improve water's ability to cool. 2cents
     
  13. Crashton

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    #13 Crashton, Jun 10, 2012
    My .02, if you are not having cooling issues they are not needed at least in my rad. If one is pushing their car hard as in track use it is not a bad idea. Every little bit helps in that situation.
     
  14. SMOG

    SMOG ZOOOOOMMMM
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    #14 SMOG, Jun 10, 2012
    Those with automatic transmissions need all the cooling they can get! So it might be a good idea.

    Is there a particular brand that you all would recommend?
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #15 Crashton, Jun 10, 2012
    I've use Water Wetter in the past. I believe it is made by Red Line.
     
  16. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #16 Norm03s, Jun 10, 2012
    Distilled water in cooling systems and battery's. If using water wetter us less antifreeze and more water for it to be effective but if your in an area that gets really cold remember to check you're antifreeze level when Winter sets in.
     
  17. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #17 Norm03s, Jun 10, 2012
    True that.
     
  18. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    #18 DneprDave, Jun 10, 2012
    I use distilled water also.

    I purify seawater with a small Reverse Osmosis plant for drinking water for my house.
    It comes out at 90 parts per million Total Dissolved Solids, which is comparable with the well water in the area. It is nowhere near the Total Dissolved Solids of distilled water, which is zero to 5 parts per million TDS.

    Dave
     
  19. SMOG

    SMOG ZOOOOOMMMM
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    #19 SMOG, Jun 10, 2012
    Hi all. Thanks for the input!
     
  20. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #20 pfspeeddemon, Jun 10, 2012
    Thank you all for your valid posts, I sincerely appreciate your feedback...looks like distilled is the better way to go...I just hope that distilled water doesn't have some bad electrolitic effect in our aluminum rads...I've seen some posts to that effect on non-Mini sites...but then again I have also seen posts that have discounted that...I'm just trying to make an informed choice and it can be a bit difficult with all the different opinions one finds.
     
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