BMW i8 Coolant question

[JeffKeryk]

My friend Debbie asked me to come and check her drop dead gorgeous 2018 i8, with 33K, due to a low coolant message.
FYI, opening the hood is not as simple as pulling a lever under the dash...
The blue coolant is a little low, 2 to 3 cups, no visible leaking. I suggested adding a little coolant and watching it. The level is just under the middle of the reservoir; I doubt we would introduce air into the system.
So... What coolant? The dealer wants $30+ for 1 gallon of concentrate. I beleve there is a Zerex equivalent?
Thanks in advance!
Extra credit: Find the screwdriver(s).

 

[Trav]

You can use this. No hood lock pins on that one 2 screwdrivers.

https://www.amazon.com/PEAK-Extended-Prediluted-Antifreeze-European/dp/B08PNN4163

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

G48 < 12/2018

G64 > 1/2019

I think Valvoline has US license to sell it.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Thanks to @Trav and @BMWTurboDzl . I suggested the fluids; they had gone to the BMW dealer and bought a gallon of the expensive stuff. They also sold quart size, but were out. 3 cups of 50/50 mix did the trick. They are driving to Sac to see her daughter tomorrow.

$160 large for the car, plus the governor's tax, and no hood pins? All good. That car is gorgeous. She's offered me to borrow it; no way in H-E-Doubouble-Toothpics will I take that chance. I'll stick to my ghetto rides...

 

[PimTac]

I wonder why the brilliant German engineers left out a prop rod?

 

[JeffKeryk]

I wonder why the brilliant German engineers left out a prop rod?

Apparantly BMW does not want owners to open the bonnet. There are 2 small openings on each inner door jam. Remove 2x1 inch cover and pull a reinforced string loop to unlatch hood (on each side). One person on each side of hood. Lift straight up to clear the front camera, then continue to open clamshell hood. Use phillips screwdrivers in hinge to keep open. There are no pins...

Debbie had never seen the hood open. Dealer services only.

Of course coolant flows under the car then up to the 3 cylinder engine. Correct coolant service is performed with a vacuum tool.
The car is incredibly balanced; it is a plug in hybrid; a very intriguing car for sure. Bond shoulda drove one...

 

[PimTac]

That is obscenely complicated.

No standard screwdrivers allowed?

 

[JustinH]

Samcrac had one of these on his youtube channel a couple years back. His had a cooling problem, followed by a headgasket problem.

There is a very complicated bleed procedure to get the air out of these systems, and he had to complete it over and over again to get air out of the system, using vacuum of course.

Don't offer to help them with the car, they are nightmares.

 

[Trav]

I wonder why the brilliant German engineers left out a prop rod?

Not as bad as an Audi A2, the hood doesnt open you have to remove it. Not a big job but more than the average owner wants to get into.

 

[JeffKeryk]

That is obscenely complicated.

No standard screwdrivers allowed?

I brought 2 Phillips with me. They weren't German, which is verboten I assume.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Not as bad as an Audi A2, the hood doesnt open you have to remove it. Not a big job but more than the average owner wants to get into.

Trav, can you speculate why BMW, Audi and perhaps others do this? What if I want to add warsher fluid?
Debbie bought her i8 in early 2018 I believe. This is the 1st time she has seen the hood open. And she's no wall flower; she rides a full dresser Indian and can operate a welder. Interestingly, she and her late husband have fostered more than 25 children. Amazing.