Does BMW coolant stay blue or does it become greenish after being in the cooling system?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It stays blue!
Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i
My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
My Current 840ci Sport Individual
My Current 650ci Sport Individual
My E31 Repair and Information Website
My E38 Repair and Information Website
My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website
Chase - Heroes to a generation
Thought so.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The only thing green about using BMW coolant is the extra cash you will be spending for it...
'93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic
2001 740iL - Titansilber
ALPINA B7 -Alpinweiß III
...the price of cool ain't cheap!
Why use anything other than BMW coolant? It has the correct plasticisers, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants and preservatives for our engines - and it costs a tenner for 1.5 Litres (part number 81229407454). It really isn't worth a punt just to have the plastic bits disintegrate and the water pump to seize up!
Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i
My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
My Current 840ci Sport Individual
My Current 650ci Sport Individual
My E31 Repair and Information Website
My E38 Repair and Information Website
My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website
Chase - Heroes to a generation
So BMW coolant is recommended for a reason for our cars? If so I'll keep with it. Thanks Timm
I have been running PRESTONE 50/50 in my 850Ci for the past 125,000+ Miles and have had ZERO issues. I did replace a radiator due to FOD from the highway, but am still on the same expansion tank and second water pump (bearing gave out on that one).
Advantages:
1. Available EVERYWHERE
2. costs 1/3 that of the BMW coolant (no BMW “surcharge” for branding)
3. It glows in the dark
The important thing is to make sure you do preventive maintenance (which most owners do not do), and flush the system in intervals as described in the manual (drained and refilled every two years). The manual also states that you should use “antifreeze concentration of at least 50%, no where does it specifically state to use the blue stuff.
Last edited by TxGR8White; 01-21-2020 at 11:09 PM.
'93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic
2001 740iL - Titansilber
ALPINA B7 -Alpinweiß III
...the price of cool ain't cheap!
Somewhere in all my wanderings, I ran into a post that made an excellent case for Zerex Z06 as it was (theoretically) the same chemically as BMW Blue, but YMMV. Been using it in ALL the cars except the truck and Dart and no problems.
Mike Drives:
BMW's
E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)
E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990
E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
Also:
2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
1967 Buick Riviera (2)
I don't see the problem with the BMW coolant. It costs twice as much as the others, AND it comes concentrated so you'll have to dilute it and end up with twice the amount as the others.
So at the end it costs the same as everything else, and the brilliant engineers already did the job for us so why mess with it.
'93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic
2001 740iL - Titansilber
ALPINA B7 -Alpinweiß III
...the price of cool ain't cheap!
Whatever you do, don't mix coolants, they do not mix well and can cause issues. If you change coolant types, drain the block and radiator, then flush.
My 850 came with green, has had green without issues, but will be flushed out for blue when changing it next. All the other cars in the house have BMW blue and its simpler to keep one type on hand.
Regards,
Brian
Cave Creek, AZ
CB42366 - 1991 850i 6-speed. Brilliantrot & Black Nappa Leather
CD00144 - 1994 850CSi. Hellrot & Black Nappa Leather
My other projects:
Supercharged Tbirds, V8 Tbirds, V8 Mustang Convertible, Audi V8 Quattro & Audi S8
Bookmarks