Anti-Freeze for BMW 323i

[demarpaint]

Search left my head spinning, my son phoned me from WA state and needs to add some Anti-Freeze to his 2000 323i. A little search is telling me he has to go to BMW or use Zerex Z05. Please advise.

Also he wants to service the auto transmission. I suggested ATF1?

As always thanks!

 

[mechanicx]

BMW uses G48, chart which is available at dealer only. It's confusing because G48 is a silicate hybrid that seems to have 2EHA so Dexcool could work and it is not the same as G-05. But BASF on this page suggest G-05 and G-48 are similar, but the other si-OAT is different form G48. I think G48 is more similary to dexcool except for silicates than it is to G-05, but the info is proprietary.

If your not going to go with the dealer coolant, then G-05 is probably the safest bet. I would want to get msot of the old coolant out when switching types. Afterall, G-05 works in GM dexcool cars and would be a closer fit for a BMW.

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

I've heard that BMW recommends against using antifreeze with nitrite, so have him read owner's manual before using G-05

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks, at this point he would be using it for a top up. I suggested he use distilled water to top off. If no loss of coolant between now and then, I will take it to the hobby shack and drain and refill with BMW coolant. I'll ask him to have one of his buddies at the hobby shack pressure test the car if it drops again. He's had the car about 4 years now and no loss of coolant, he had it serviced once IIRC in those 4 years. Still that coolant went somewhere. I'd rather not speculate as to where just yet.

The 3000 mile distance between my son and I is the killer. My son didn't express as much of an interest in fixing cars as he should have when he was younger. He's sorry about that now.

Thanks!

 

[mechanicx]

Well BMW coolant would be the simplest choice for top up for sure. You know what they say though Dexclone and PGL works in all makes lol. There is a lot of truth to that, a little Walmart Prestone all makes won't hurt anything. G48 uses 2EHA anyway. Maybe BMW didn't get the gaskets right for long term durability? Or maybe it's a pressure cap or waterpump leaking if not just evaporation. I'm think it has a pressurized reservior, those don't evaporate much out.

 

[J. A. Rizzo]

Driving a BMW, he better develop an interest in fixing cars or paying people to fix cars!

Water evaporates from the overflow tank over time. As long as its a slow loss of coolant, I'd chalk it up to that and top off with distilled water. Drain and refill with the BMW coolant (or compatible) at the BMW-recommended interval to keep the water pump and head gasket in working order.

 

[mva]

I stayed with stock BMW coolant in my 2000 Z3. Zerex G-05 would be my second choice.

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Zerex_CoolantChart.pdf

It is good that you are being careful since these cars have many plastic parts in the cooling system.

There is lots of great information in this thread:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/bmw-z3-consequences-of-improper-coolant.128959/

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: J. A. Rizzo
Driving a BMW, he better develop an interest in fixing cars or paying people to fix cars!

You don't have to tell me. A few years back I was visiting him and he was complaining about noise from the front brakes. I told him to take it to Les Schwab and have them look and give him an estimate. When they told him $500 to do the front brakes I could see he wanted to vomit. They wanted to sell him rotors, calipers, the works. He declined, we took it to the hobby shack, and $40 and an hour later I had the brakes done. Since then he took an interest, only I'm on the other side of the counrty and can't teach him. Cell phones and the internet is the next best thing.

I told him when he informed me after the fact that he bought a BMW, what BMW means. Bring My Wallet. LOL its a nice car, runs great. Hopefully it was evaporation and nothing more, but I have my doubts.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: J. A. Rizzo
Driving a BMW, he better develop an interest in fixing cars or paying people to fix cars!

No kidding. 90% of the "can you come get me?" and "[censored] is going on?" calls I get are due to one particular 2000 323i. The car is a great driver when it's working like it should.

For top off, I'd probably just use Peak premixed universal and not worry too much, but that's just me.