I recently purchased a 2008 MCS (50K mi), one owner car. The guy seemed to be a non-car enthusiast but relatively in tune with his maintenance responsibility. I looked at the pile of receipts he had, mostly from the dealership and concluded that he had a couple of recall repairs (tail pipe and aux water pump), three oil changes, brake fluid change, and new brakes/rotors/tires put on since he bought the car.

I have been doing my own car-enthusiast maintenance since I bought the car several weeks ago and evaluating it overall. Oil, manual trans, and air filters changed. Next up is coolant. Here is my dilemma... the coolant is green. From what Ive read, the coolant is supposed to be blue. The PO states he has never had the coolant changed. Maybe the dealer did it when the did the aux water pump? But then why is the coolant green? Anyone else have this issue?

I plan to change the coolant anyway unless the dealer can confirm my suspicion. At this point, they tell me that they cannot give me any information about the service history unless I bring the key in. They are 90 miles away! Comments/suggestions?

 

Change it. Cheap insurance, and even if was changed on the regular maintenance schedule it's probably due anyway.

 

Hmm. Weird. It should be blue, absolutely. The coolant that MINI uses is the same phosphate-free coolant BMW has used for years. It's designed to eliminate the occurrence of electrolysis and the resulting damage caused when phosphate coolant causes corrosion on the aluminum bits inside the engine. I say who cares about the how or why your car has green coolant, just replace it as soon as you can.

 

That is definitely my plan. Change it asap. There is no reason to leave it to chance.

 

Definitely use MINI brand coolant. Period.

 

I knew I love you guys for a reason!



I'll never understand for the life of me why people try to save $4 on something as critical as coolant.

 

Zerex G-05 (gold jug) is also BMW approved. It's yellow. Might be a little easier to get locally. O'Reilly's sells it, but you may have to ask for it. They generally don't put it out on the floor. And I had to go to two different stores to get two gallons of it.

 

No, it's not approved.

 

Oy vey! I was wondering how long it would take for one of you types to show up.

Alright... Sneal46, you MUST drive 180 miles round trip and fetch only fluids that are emblazoned with the MINI or BMW logo. Get only BMW antifreeze. It's a special formulation made from unicorn p¡ss. Nobody else makes anything like it.

You might want to stock up on MINI motor oil too and save yourself some travel. It is made from the blubber of baby humpback whales. It's the only oil pure enough for the MINI's engine.

Pick up a few gallons of special BMW washer fluid while you're at it. Wouldn't want to void your warranty by using a solution not distilled from the tears of a small child.

 

Not exactly....but likely better than the regular stuff.....at one point everything said it was the same...including the packaging...but surprise...the maker had to change the packaging...it is a slight different spec....
If you can, get the BMW/mini stuff....I have found BMW dealers are more common, and sell the same fluids 99% of the time as mini....for me it was drive 45 miles to mini, drive 5 minutes to BMW or try 10 stores looking for the g-05....the BMW dealer was faster....and I did find the g-05 at pepboys...it cost MORE than the proper BMW/mini stuff....
As previously stated, it is blue

 

First, Oy Vey yourself;

Its not approved. If it is, please show it here, or anywhere online. You can't since its not.

Here is a list of factual links with useful information rather than snarky childish remarks.

http://www.glysantin.de/162-1-G48.html (Factory filled coolant from BMW/Mini)

http://www.glysantin.de/files/basf_g...iew_a4_e_1.pdf (link to other brands and approval codes)

http://www.geomatique-liege.be/MGJP/...santin_G48.pdf

"Glysantin G 48 is an engine coolant concentrate based on ethylene glycol. It contains a hybrid corrosion inhibitor package with salts of organic acids and silicates. Glysantin G 48 is free of nitrites, amines and phosphates.

Glysantin G 48 meets the requirements of both the ASTM D 3306 and BS 6580:1992 - standards. Glysantin G 48 also got the following OEM- approvals :
• BMW
• German Army
• KHD
• MAN
• Mercedes-Benz
• MTU
• Opel/General Motors
• Saab
• VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda
BMW N 600 69.0
TL 6850-0038/1
H-LV 0161 0188
MAN 324-NF
DBL 7700.20, page 325.0 MTL 5048
B 040 0240 6901599 TL 774-C"

http://www.geomatique-liege.be/MGJP/...santin_G05.pdf

"Glysantin G 05 is an engine coolant concentrate based on ethylene glycol. It contains a hybrid corrosion inhibitor package with nitrites, salts of organic acids and silicates. Glysantin G 05 is free of amines and phosphates.

Glysantin G 05 meets the requirements of both the ASTM D 3306 and BS 6580:1992 - standards. Glysantin G 05 also got the following approvals:
• Mercedes-Benz
• John Deere
• MTU
• Leyland
• Ford North America
• Chrysler
DBL 7700.20, page 325.0 JDMH24
MTL 5048
BLS.22.AF.01 WSS-M97B51-A1
MS - 9769"

Here is the Zerex / G05 link - http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/zerex_g05.pdf

So, as you can see, no they are NOT the same. Look at the links for the internal corrosion ratings.

Second, - If you think its only BMW that uses this, please see they are not the only ones.

Third, you can get this for about $23/gallon at your local dealer, or ANY dealer above who uses the same coolant. That works out to be about the same as $12 of diluted Zerex G05.

Fourth, Its still not approved.

Fifth, No, you don't need special washer fluid, car wash soap or motor oil... BUT whatever you DO use should meet the specs of the OE requirements.. would you use dollar store oil in your Mini? Why not ITS STILL OIL?

SIXTH, Zereg got SUED for lying on the BOTTLE of G05 for false advertising.

In FINE print at the BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE - "Consult the owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations and warranty information."

Yes, they show "Mini" on the bottle... Fact - ITS NOT APPROVED.

 

I generally get to Las Vegas for my sons baseball games a couple times a month so getting OEM fluid isnt as bad as it seems.

What troubles me the most is the "why is there green coolant in my car" question that the PO nor the dealer seems to be able to answer. Is it possible the MINI dealer topped off the car with something other than OEM when the did the aux water pump?

 

I really doubt that. I've never heard of a dealer using non OE coolant for any car line.

3rd party had to put it in there.

First, let me say, just because its green - its not doom and gloom. But I'll never understand why people are so lazy, so opposed to getting the right stuff when its not expensive, and its not hard to get.

If the PO had fully drained and cycled green (mystery) brand, chances are its ok. Prestone, Zerex, etc.. all ok brands.. however, I get pissed off when people claim (without any proof) that its "the same thing" or "its approved".. neither of which are true.

Generally I don't think mixing coolants is a good idea. Coolants are carefully selected by OEMs to be compatible with components used in the said vehicle.

Heck, Ford sells seven bands of coolant over the counter depending on what year/model you have. http://www.fordparts.com/Products/Ch...-Coolants.aspx (Used to work for Ford, this was a huge issue with warranty claims).

s

 

I bet you were thinking you got yourself, a fun, little, economical car. But instead you got yourself a little hothouse flower that's gonna wilt if it doesn't get a twice-daily, 15.6cc spritz of Vichy water.

If you want a real, knock-down, drag-out, prison rules chemistry lesson, start a thread asking what kind of gasoline you should use.

 

Haha...yeah that is exactly what I thought. But having owned a 2002 M5, I knew beter than that!!

I've learned my lesson on other boards. Stay away from oil or fuel based discussions. Flame city.

 

Right. The Castrol 10W60 oil for BMW M5 cars was a big discussion point. Many people would argue that Mobile 5W30 was the same thing. For some cars/trucks, the OEM is not as big of a deal as with highly engineered cars/trucks.

 

I think i will pass on watching my tivo of fast n loud tonight if you two keep this going!