I do agree and if I had to drain and fill my coolant again I would use the OEM coolant though I see no harm in using the Prestone coolant as I have for many years.

 

http://www.aftermarketnews.com/Item/...ntifreeze.aspx

Go read that about Zerex being "approved".

They lied before.

 

This whole thread was a good read, thanks to all contributors.

I knew that that it was the makers of Zyrex that claimed their stuff was okay for MINI, and not MINI approving Zyrex officially.

Didn't realize their (Zyrex/valvoline's) marketing practices were so questionable though.

Neat to learn about the water in Europe too.

Cheers

 

IMO as long as it does not contain nitrates, amines or phosphates it will be fine in your MINI. Everything related to issues with coolant is due to water in Europe and these chemicals. We don't have these issues here. Search the web and you will see this over and over. Most coolant today does not have these chemicals, so use what you are comfortable with. I myself am comfortable with using Prestone.

Not to be flamed but this is the same argument over and over about oils.

 

First - again - here are the approval codes -

http://www.glysantin.de/files/basf_g...iew_a4_e_1.pdf

Ok, so after a metric_assload of digging.. I found...

the G05 Spec Sheet.. - http://www.univareurope.com/uploads/...n_G05_TDS1.pdf

G05 does.. Contain Nitrates!

and the G48 Spec Sheet - (factory fill coolant for BMW/Mini)
http://www.univareurope.com/uploads/...n_G48_TDS1.pdf

G48 does NOT contain Nitrates!

Look carefully at the Corrosion Performance tests.

The G48 appears to be less damaging to a *modern* engine. with Aluminum and Steel hardware.

G05 appears to be less damaging to a *older* engine that contains parts made of brass lead, and copper.

Zerex G05.. is well... BASFs old G05 Formula. - Here is their product sheet - http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/zerex_g05.pdf

Perhaps its gaskets, or materials.. but if they were "the same" BMW would do what Mercedes does and say you can use BOTH in the car.. which.. they (BMW/Mini) don't say...

I'll stick with the factory stuff.

 

Great information thanks for sharing.

Neither does Prestone 50/50. It does not contain amines or phosphates either.

I do question these as the information in both appear to be 10+ years old (Dec 2002) as seen on the links. So is it still relevant in today's modern engines? Is it still the same as it was all those years ago?

I also believe this info would be for Europe as again they have water issues.

Do you have documents that actually show modern engines having issues using anything other then what the OEM recommends?

Just some info
http://www.underhoodservice.com/Arti...uirements.aspx
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...i-coolant.html
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=523954

 

The information is still viable. BASF has not changed the coolant formulas *When they do they update the number of it.., like they did with the G40/GG40 (VW/Audi G12.. and G12+ coolants). From what I can tell G12+ and G12++ are close to the "Universal - mixes with anything coolants.."

This article from Larry is wrong.. BMW/Mini does not use G05 - http://www.underhoodservice.com/Arti...uirements.aspx I would take BMW/Mini/BASF over Larry's advice.

The other links sites are interesting - the Bimmerfest one being the most useful.

As for the water issue thing. Sure, its all over the internet, but Euro OEMs don't fill cars with tap/unfiltered ground water. So something else must be the reason?

Documented proof?

http://www.glysantin.com/20-1-Engine...-Know-how.html (has some pics)

http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/bo...r/coolants.pdf (Yes, I know its boats, but its still the same coolant and explains what happens..)

http://www.denso.com.au/Products/Aut...-Your-Radiator (Denso says dont do it.)

http://bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3...s_Glycerin.pdf (While not BMW.. its is a good explanation of the advances in coolant. G11 is BASF G48, G12 is basically Dex_cool.. G13 is now considered "mixable")

http://www.cumminsfiltration.com/pdf.../CFS-B0807.pdf (thanks cummins)

http://www.aagaskets.com.au/PDF/Cool...YourEngine.pdf (just a web blog)

OH LOOK AT ALL THE COOLANTS FORD SELLS - http://www.fordparts.com/Products/Ch...-Coolants.aspx (clearly not all the same)

http://www.aftermarketsuppliers.org/...ish/05-2R1.pdf -

"Since antifreeze is clear when it is manufactured, and water is clear, dye is used to color the antifreeze for identification and marketing purposes. The color of antifreeze is no longer an accurate indicator as to whether it is an IAT, OAT, HOAT or NOAT formulation. Further, some antifreeze manufacturers market a “universal” antifreeze they say is compatible with all OAT, HOAT and NOAT formulations. These "universal" formulas are not for use with IAT and they will not convert an IAT to an LLC/extended life coolant antifreeze. Mixing IAT with OAT, HOAT or NOAT antifreezes will not damage your vehicle’s cooling system; however the mixture will negate the long life/extended life attributes of these formulations."

I think everyone can pretty much agree to use the OE spec'd coolant for your car. And by that I mean, you don't have to march down to the dealer, but as long as you get a spec-matching coolant its ok. Lots of companies make versions of G48..

Companies like to argue against everything to avoid paying for warranty work - This is just an other possible way to shoot yourself in the foot.

 

Here's my problem: If Valvoline/Zerex makes the 'better' Mini coolant - G48 - why do they encourage you to buy G05?

 

They don't.

My point is somehow it got started online that G05 was "ok" or "good" or "better" or "the same" as G48.

Its not.

It says right on the back of the bottle of Zerex to refer to your owners guide.



Here is an article about waterpump damage. - http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice...-wrong-coolant

 

has anyone just used prestone to top off coolant? i plan on taking out my SC this week and probably wont be able to catch all the water so was just thinking to top it off after i put everything back in.

 

Where in the owner's manual does it help me decide the G-05 vs G-48 question? I can't find it.

 

Greek not only have I used it to top it off my mini but for a short time. But now my MINI has been filled with Prestone only the last 4 years with zero issues.

 

no i was just concerned with oem stuff and prestone, sometimes they dont like eachother. but sounds good to me. im pretty sure i have the same coolant when the car was made. i should do a flush just dont want to right now.

 

While I've found this an interesting debate, I thought the one thing we all agreed on was to not mix them.... Maybe I still don't understand all sides of the argument. ::sigh

While I wouldn't mix them in my car, I wouldn't be surprised if mixing them caused no damage at least in the short term time,... So my opinion, if you plan on flushing the entire system in a month or two, it might not matter much what you put in it today.

 

It says to use BMW OE coolant.. Which is G48.

 

http://www.glysantin.com/20-1-Engine...-Know-how.html

 

IMHO, when topping off the coolant reservoir and you don't have the proper coolant, it's best to just use distilled water. Even if you were to go to a 25% coolant to water ratio, you'd have sufficient protection for most climates.

 

Genius!