1st Gen Antifreeze

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by TastyTuner, May 6, 2011.

  1. TastyTuner

    TastyTuner New Member

    Dec 28, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    purchased a 04 mcs alittle under a year ago. have done an oil change, and keep everything looked over pretty good. the coolant tank is alittle low and now that the summer heat is creeping upon me, id like to flush the coolant system. i have the factory write up on how to do this.

    other than factory coolant, what is safe to use? nearest dealer is 1.5 hours away so i cant just go and pick it up.

    ive read the prestone extended performance coolant is okay to use, but id like some reassurance.

    thanks for your help

    andy
     
  2. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

    Jun 12, 2009
    1,315
    154
    63
    Civil Engineer
    Durham, NC
    Ratings:
    +155 / 0 / -0
    BMW's are sensitive to the type of coolant used due to the variety of metals employed in the engine. It should be phosphate- and silicate-free so you don't have precipitates clogging up the system. I only use factory-branded coolant - not worth the hassle of getting it wrong. For what it's worth, Valvoline Zerex G-05 coolant is known to be compatible with BMW/MINIs and is what a lot of indy mechanics use.

    MINI coolant is the same as BMW coolant, so is there a BMW dealer any closer?

    If you need to top off, just add water. Make sure to use distilled water, not tap and not deionized. And mix the coolant 50/50 with distilled water as well.
     
  3. TastyTuner

    TastyTuner New Member

    Dec 28, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
  4. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

    Jun 12, 2009
    1,315
    154
    63
    Civil Engineer
    Durham, NC
    Ratings:
    +155 / 0 / -0
    It could be okay, it could not be okay. Is it worth the extra 15 minutes and $10 to get the good stuff for your $25,000 car? Yes. Chat up the guys at the BMW dealer and ask them, too.
     
  5. TastyTuner

    TastyTuner New Member

    Dec 28, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    thanks for your reply. im not against going to the dealership. i just try to avoid there markups. i work for a dealership, not mini or bmw obviously, but know how much items can be marked up for essentially the same item that can be had at a local parts store..

    if it is vital to stick with oem branded coolant because of potential differences in product. then ill go to the dealership.

    thanks for your help

    andy
     
  6. Rae

    Rae Club Coordinator

    Oct 14, 2010
    907
    77
    0
    teacher for severely/multiply disabled students
    Oregon
    Ratings:
    +77 / 0 / -0
    Also, the overfill reservoir should be on the low side. Keep the fins on the bottom visible, no more. When they get overfilled they overflow when you run the car hard.
     
  7. motorking

    motorking New Member

    May 11, 2011
    1
    0
    0
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    coolant

    Andy,
    I am the tech manager at prestone. You can use prestone ELC coolant in your mini. It is organic acid coolant, something that BMW now uses across the board on all models. The biggest difference between the Prestone ELC and what you pay big$$ for at the BMW dealer is the dye coloring of the coolant.
     
  8. Chiwawa

    Chiwawa New Member

    Jan 22, 2016
    1
    0
    0
    MUAH
    Riverside, CA
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Mini Cooper 2010 convertible

    Can someone please tell what kind of coolant I can buy at Auto zone for my 2010mini Cooper convertible please??? The coolant it has right now I believe is green.
     
  9. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Oct 23, 2010
    2,951
    1,500
    113
    Engineer
    Pacific NW
    Ratings:
    +1,718 / 0 / -0
  10. gjxj

    gjxj Member

    Jun 16, 2015
    32
    11
    8
    Ratings:
    +11 / 0 / -0
    wow that pentafrost is a good bit more expensive than buying oem from a bmw dealer!
     
  11. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

    Oct 27, 2015
    1,421
    670
    113
    IT
    Atlanta-ish
    Ratings:
    +811 / 0 / -0
    You can buy BM'r coolant online or on Amazon and have it delivered to your house.
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    Amazon will make a delivery to your door for almost anything you need. :ihih:

    I never got to parts stores anymore, its 2017 and I hate going out in the public shopping. Too many idiots.
     

Share This Page