The reason I ask is because I have some BMW coolant remaining from my previous BMW and I would hate to throw it away. Can I safely use it in my MINI in case I need to add some coolant? The nearest MINI dealer is 160 miles away and I did not get a chance to buy some MINI coolant yet.

 

It's the same. It should be blue in color.

Rich

 

What are the specs for the coolant? I looked in the owner's manual, and it says check with the Mini dealer. Where do I get the blue coolant and what do I look for? Need to pick this up today.

 

I can understand being **** about the specific type of motor oil to put in our cars.... but does the brand of coolant really matter?

 

I just checked the container of my BMW coolant (which is the same as MINI coolant) and it says this coolant is ethylene glycol based and contains no nitrites or phosphates. This coolant apparently prevents the formation of harmful deposits.

 

Yes. Mixing some that are incompatible can leave to them solidifying. Even if draining all of one type some will always remain in the block. So even switching from one to another isn't a straight forward procedure.

 

Previous posts have indicated that Zerex G09 is approved by bmw.

 

I would strongly recommend using the MINI approved coolant. I believe that the coolant should be changed every four years, so it's not like the extra cost is that big a deal. It should run about $20 / gallon, and it's full strength, not premixed, so it will make 2 gallons of coolant when mixed 50/50 with distilled water. Use only distilled water, less than $1 a gallon at WalMart.