So i am wanting to change the coolant as i was recommended to by the dealer but they charge way to much for their service so i want to do it myself i just dont know what coolant to use other than oem. (dealer is pretty far from where i live). Any recommendations?

2007 cooper base

 

Simplest thing if you want OEM is to buy it at a BMW dealer....
To NOT have issues if I had some old coolant left after the flush...I just bought BMW branded coolant...the same stuff as MINI...even the same blue. Price was actually less than the commonly suggested auto-parts store clone fluid....so no worries.

 

+1

 

SWEET there is a BMW dealer 5 minutes from where i live. Thanks!

 

OEM, or any G48 compatible coolant is key.

G48 is made by BASF and its what the cars ship with from the factory -

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

you can order it aftermarket from German Auto Parts.com or ECS.

Make sure you mix it with distilled water, not tap water! Distilled water is a 1$ a gallon at your local drug store.

 

And look for a thread on how to bleed the system. There is a how to section, and I have seen some threads on this before. Buy a Bentley service manual from Amazon if you will be doing a bunch of maintenance yourself.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Thanks for the info. A friend of mine recommended zerex G-05 any thoughts on that? And is there any links I can't seem to find one on how to do it

 

Yea my thought is its the wrong stuff.

Zerex G-05 is for Diesel engines... whats not the same as a gas car? Let see, gasket materials, fuels, block materials and cavitation rates..

There is a REASON why MERC/CHRYSLER/FORD and all other OEMS use this for DIESEL cars and not GASOLINE cars. - http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif...-Glysantin.htm BMW uses it.. for DIESEL cars... Mini uses it for DIESEL cars...

I love how one forum post from some BMW board started all this.. It takes 10 seconds to do the research.. don't skimp, use the right stuff.

Use the right stuff, its blue, cheap, and easy to get..

 

I used the MINI OEM stuff but gonna use Prestone when I do my coolant flush in a few weeks.

 

So decided to go with the BMW since it's the closest to where I live. Now just need to find how to do it since it's the first time I do it

 

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ant_Change.htm

Its for an R52...

 

Zerex G-05 is just fine to use in gasoline engines, including MINI engines.

 

Here is a thread for adding coolant and bleeding.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...der-screw.html

Somewhere I read that the bleeder screw must be backed off quite a bit (3 turns or something) before it functions.

Good luck,
Mike

 

Thanks for the info everyone! I know what im going to do this weekend

 

I know its been awhile but i just havent had time till now, When i tried to change the antifreeze on my R56 non s mini i could not find the bleed valve that i need to open. does anyone have a picture or info on where it is? i have searched for some time and cannot find it! any help is appreciated

 

The bleeder valve on the R56 models is on the thermostat housing. N14 and N12 engine thermostat housing.

You can see the bleeder screw head at the top next to the coolant temp sensor , it has a hex head with a Philips head center, just screw it out enough to bleed. You have to back it off quite a bit almost to the end , then it bleeds , just do it slow.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537534521/ES25098/




And if you need the MINI Coolant in the future, its "blue color" . For topping off in small amounts its ok , otherwise mix 50/50 with distilled water and you are good to go. We have this stocked most of the time.

MINI Anti-Freeze / Coolant - 1 Gallon ( 3.79L)


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82140031133/ES196253/



Thanks

 

Does anyone know from a technical perspective why the BMW blue coolant is so special? Is there some additive mix that's crucial to protect seals or some garbage? I've used good ole Prestone in my car for two years and plan to flush every two. It's not my daily driver anymore either so I bet that helps a lot. Might be a bit overkill but I see no disadvantage to this if someone like me flushes the system and refills diligently.

I've always been taught that the additive package breaks down based on continuous exposure to heat and I've never seen any proof of why BMW brand is so much better.

 

It's not very special, it's made by BASF, most European auto makers use it.

Google g48 BASF for the .pdf

But this has all been covered before. I'll use the g48 generic stuff from online. Frankly I've never had an issue with it back from my VW. I stick with whatever came in the car.

Don't mix coolants!

What I CAN tell you is that Zerex G05 is not the same as g48. Zerex G05 is akin to the same BASF G05...

Which is not what BMW uses in its gas cars..

G30 is for BMW/Cooper Diesel models... There has to be some pretty sound reasoning for that..

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

See that list.

 

Got it done! Thanks for all the help, that bleed valve was a tough one to find still but i found it! once again thanks!

 

Newminiowner - Glad you found it and glad I could help.

 

I know this is an old thread, but does anybody know the BASF standard or the German Car standard for the coolant specific to the R56 base engine? These coolants are color coded for a reason and some of them are not meant to be mixed, even if they do meet certain requirements. (For example, my VW 2.5 I5 gasoline engine can take German standard, G11 and G12 but they can only be used separately and never mixed together which causes scale buildup and engine damage. Also, BASF standard G40 is the same standard as German standard G12++,

Confusing, huh? That's why I would like to know what this French engine requires as far as the BASF or the German car standard is concerned. I couldn't find any info on the OEM coolant label.

Thanks.

 

Its the MINI/BMW blue coolant. They use that on all engines no matter if Prince, Tritech, or the newer B platform. ~G48 i believe.

 

Peak also makes a European premixed coolant that you can buy just about anywhere.

https://peakauto.com/products/antifr...ded-life-blue/

 

Zerex G48 should be at any auto parts store. If I where to replace that damn water pipe or thermostat I might just get the mini non mixed stuff next time. I ended up needed more than 1 gallon when I replaced my water pipe. I just did a flush on an R60 and used just a gallon of zerex G48.

 

VW G11 is the same as BASF G48 (blue) which is used in virtually all BMWs and Minis. Don't use VW G12, G12+, G12++, G13 or G12evo (pink).
Only mix with destilled water 50/50 or if necessary 40 % G48 with 60 % destilled water in hot environments (or for hard track use).
If your former coolant fill has been in use for an extended period of time (say ten years or so), do a flushing with a similar mixture.

.