What Coolant brand best for BMW E46 325?

[PPP]

Hi guys, just a quick question, what coolant brand and type do you guys recommand for my E46 325? Just want to see what option I have besides going to the dealership. I've heard that bimmers need to use BMW coolant because of their specific radiator material or something. Is it true? Thanks

[Weeman83]

It depends on what is already in your car. If you have BMW coolant (blue), use BMW coolant. If you have generic coolant (green), stay the course. If you have GM coolant (red), then WTF?! You are always risking sludging and incompatibility issues if you don't flush the old clt completely before putting in new coolant.

BMW coolant isn't THAT expensive if you don't get it from the dealership. Considering you are only changing it every 2 yrs, it's really just pennies.

[Eugene]

Zerex makes a coolant which is compatible with BMW'S which I think is gold in packaging (container), which is phosphate free, which is what the concern is when using regular coolant. It is BMW approved and you can get it fairly cheap at Walmart if you are looking for alternatives.

Look on Zerex's website to confirm this info:

http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Z...d=1B5D1AEA1AFC

[G-rex]

Originally Posted by Weeman83 BMW coolant isn't THAT expensive if you don't get it from the dealership. Considering you are only changing it every 2 yrs, it's really just pennies.

Where else would you get BMW coolant?

Need to do a top up.

[Weeman83]

Originally Posted by G-rex Where else would you get BMW coolant? Need to do a top up.

I got mine from RM European.

[PPP]

Hi Guys,

Once I got the BMW coolant, I was told to dilute it 50% with water. Is this true? Would I need to use demineralized water? or would tap water be fine?

Thanks
Philip

[fastbmw]

Our local tap water is fine, it's a very soft water.

[E30M20B25]

I am a Hepu man myself.
If I get out to the car later I will take a picture.

[Cacciatore08]

just buy Bmw oem coolant at your dealer....

why would you buy any different?

[Godwin]

As always get a pH meter and check the coolant's pH.. you dont' want the coolant to vary too much out of 7.. as modern (e36 and up) radiators are hard plastic and it get fatigued quicker if the pH is out of range.

BMW coolant is a buffer solution, so it does stays in the stable range for a while, but once it gets out of wack.. it goes up really quick.

Coolant is about 30 at BJ... much cheaper than a 200+ radiator.

[PPP]

Originally Posted by Godwin As always get a pH meter and check the coolant's pH.. you dont' want the coolant to vary too much out of 7.. as modern (e36 and up) radiators are hard plastic and it get fatigued quicker if the pH is out of range. BMW coolant is a buffer solution, so it does stays in the stable range for a while, but once it gets out of wack.. it goes up really quick. Coolant is about 30 at BJ... much cheaper than a 200+ radiator.

This is a good tech tip! thanks!

[E30M3]

I just Stick to the BMW Coolant and mix 50/50 with deionized water, havent had a problem yet.

[MGuy]

You can dick around checking other coolants (checking pH, additive packages, whatever), and risk the potential problems, or pay a few bucks more for coolant from the dealer, and be sure you won't be rotting the head of your engine.

Even if you change it every year, it's cheap.

[Mark D.]

Originally Posted by MGuy You can dick around checking other coolants (checking pH, additive packages, whatever), and risk the potential problems, or pay a few bucks more for coolant from the dealer, and be sure you won't be rotting the head of your engine. Even if you change it every year, it's cheap.

No kidding, it should be already known as a "standard" for coolant in BMW engines. $23 for a 4 litre container, cheap if you ask me..