Antifreeze

[RED IS 91]

Is there an alternative to using genuine BMW antifreeze ?
It's so expensive :eek:
Is anyone using something different ??

[m42 fan]

It's not worth it to gamble on something else imo. Search here, as well as the other forums, you'll see plenty of threads on what can happen to your water pump if you use the wrong stuff for too long.

The PO of my car used regular antifreeze. As a result, I had to replace prety much the entire cooling system: T-stat, Radiator, Water Pump. (also the fan clutch, but we can all agree that was unrelated.)

So, I guess you can take your pick: $20-$30 now for the blue stuff, or $200-$300 later for a new cooling system.

Brian

[M42boy]

You simply need to get something that is "phosphate free". I run the cheap stuff for two reasons.

1. It's just as good.
2. If I have a leak or need to drain or refill the coolant, I don't have to worry about being near a dealer or carrying jugs of the expensive stuff.

I use Sierra, which you can find a NAPA and most retailers. It's also more environmentally friendly and supposedly won't kill pets if they drink it, so I prefer it. I've used it with no problems in every car I've owned. I believe Zerex is another popular phospate free brand.

My suggestion is just to stay away from long or extended-life coolants.

[e9nine]

Also comes down to how often you will flush your system etc. I use the cheapie stuff that's free of the chemicals and RUN away from the extended life variants.

[silverblades181]

My friend worked at a BMW Dealer, the BMW stuff is regular coolant with a BMW tag on the bottle. It also evaporates easily. Get phosphate free coolant.

[RED IS 91]

Thanks everyone for the info :)
I'll look for some phosphate free antifreeze .

[dude8383]

let us know what yo u get, because i have no idea which brands run phosphate free.

[RED IS 91]

I went with Zerex from VIP AUTOCENTER for around $12 a gallon.
150

151

[318isle]

According to Mike Miller, it's best to use BMW coolant (Phosphate free) and flush your system at least once every 2 years, and be sure to use 50/50 distilled water. I had my water pump fused to the front cover and it cost me $300 to have it removed.

[Berlin]

I recently changed to the bmw blue stuff, from green stuff. a funny thing happend, the inlet to the heater core stopped leaking... where it was incessant with the green stuff... what could that be attributed to? the weather?