Hi all, Still getting used to my '05 MCS. I need to add some coolant, but what kind do y'all like to put in. Do you use distilled water too as the mixer? I've been a Toyota guy for years and they like the red stuff.

Thanks everybody!

 

i believe most people use the OEM coolant.

i've done a lot of looking into for coolant on other cars - one thing that comes up is, use demineralized water, not distilled water. distilled water tends to pull ions off of metals.

 

Sorry, but is OEM the brand or type?

Best,

 

Original Equipment Manufacture. ie, what you would get from MINI...

 

We have no Mini dealer in Lincoln, NE. What now? It needs it yesterday and don't want to damage anything. Can I substitute something for now?? It needs it today on the way home from work. What would they have at Advanced Auto Parts or some major dealer around here?? It's going to get really cold here tomorrow night and need this done. Sorry, Mini fans, but its my daily driver even n the NE cold winters. If I win the lottery, she'll get parked until spring. I love it so much, even a lottery wouldn't make me get rid of her. I'd just start adding stuffs!! Now; all stock other than xenon lights. Very nice I'll add!! the run-flats are indeed loud, but glad I have them.

 

Here's what it says in the manual -

Coolant consists of half water and half additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suitable
for your MINI. Your MINI dealer knows
which additives are suitable and will be glad to
advise you.

Almost funny, not exactly helpful. If you don't get a good answer here, try calling a mini dealer or MINI USA.

 

That's what I saw reading through the manual this morning. so why don't they say what they mean? Oh yeah, Only your Mini Technician will know what to do! Ugh! I'm not a mechanic, I'm a piano technician. I can figure out what coolant to take off the shelf just like taking the correct part to fix the concert Steinway. Really. I just want to know before I drive home. it's getting colder every night. All is well right now. It's 40 but will freeze again and then 7 tuesday night! Ouch! I really shouldn't have to call Mini for this. Who out there is in the mid and upper mid-west plaines. HELP!!!

 

Zerex G-05. It comes 50/50 and Napa carries it.

 

awesome! We have Napa here in small old Lincoln town.

You're the best, QuickCooper :>) Off i go.

'05 MCS, mostly stock, xenon head lamps, runflats, runs like a dream. 70K miles. a little annoyed by the runflat noise and bumpy ride. corners like crazy...

 

BMW dealers sell the same stuff as mini....( sometimes for less?!)..it is blue..
It ends up being CHEAPER than g-05...(which can work in a pinch, but NOT THE SAME STUFF...they were sued... Lost..changed the packaging)...
And distilled water is the stuff...key is NO MINERALS OR SALTS TO COME OUT OF IT....that is the issue...
Oem fluid is a HOAT....DEXCOOL IS A NO-NO..IT IS A OAT...and green/yellow coventional( hard to find...even most store brands is HOAT "LONGLIFE")....
DIFFERANCE IS THE SPEC...
G-05 meets...you guessed it an older spec called g-05....mini/bmw uses g48 I think....
Folks have used it....
Just keep in mind...drain/fill every 3-4 years...flush preferred....
And when you mix different spec coolant... You loose the longlife properties....general suggestion is only 1 year after a "unknown mix"....

 

Got it! I bought the Napa Zerex G-05 mix. Is that the stuff for 2nd gen '05 suercharged S? I'm a bit confused on your post. What is a Hoat? or an Oat? I guess I like words spelled out correctly, sorry.If that's the words, then I don't know what they are. Maybe I'm not informed. Please correct me.

 

You are confused if you think you have a supercharged 2nd generation Mini. Yours is 1st generation.

 

Sorry. '05. where is the line?

 

I stated '05 several times. sorry for the 04 thing

 

All mini's use g48...
HOAT coolant...Hybrid organic acid additive package.
Mini/bmw uses g48...A HOAT....ONE OF MANY DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS..
OAT COOLANT...aka, Dex or dexcool Is a organic acid package...not used in mini's, not compatible with silicone hoses and some types of plastics...
Conventional... Not used in many years...even "Prestone" is a long life HOAT now...as is some yellow/green storrbrands that claim long life/universal fill....