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Thread: Mini Cooper Coolant

  1. #1
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    Mini Cooper Coolant

    morning guys, so i went to buy the bmw coolant from the dealer, and they gave me a mini cooper coolant and told me its the same and that they're trying to help with the mini cooper sales.

    is the mini cooper coolant the same as the bmw one?

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by DoNmayor View Post
    morning guys, so i went to buy the bmw coolant from the dealer, and they gave me a mini cooper coolant and told me its the same and that they're trying to help with the mini cooper sales.

    is the mini cooper coolant the same as the bmw one?
    If the BMW folks told you it's the same, chances are it could be the same. Mini is made by BMW as well, so I would imagine they didn't develop engines that need different coolant compositions. Open the jug and see if it's blue.
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  3. #3
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    It's likely the same overpriced overhyped coolant.
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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by FlipredE36 View Post
    It's likely the same overpriced overhyped coolant.
    I've used coolant from Kroger(grocery store)/Autozone/Gas station before.


  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by PRO View Post
    I've used coolant from Kroger(grocery store)/Autozone/Gas station before.
    You must hate your car. j/k!
    Sport | M5 Headlights | M5 Style Front | Intake Resonator delete | H&R/Bilstein | Euro Armrest | M5 Rear Sway | Thule | 3-Pedals | Fully Maintained | 190K Daily Driven

  6. #6
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    Just use the common green stuff sold at any autoparts store. It costs less, is more available, and serves the same function. I think I usually buy prestone.
    1985 325 - 5 speed - LSD - M50NV - MS2/extra - AEM UEGO - TiAL MV-R - 750cc injectors - HX35 - Blunttech Manifold - 3" exhaust
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  7. #7
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    the extended life preston?

    i saw this one at walmart:

    Last edited by DoNmayor; 06-05-2013 at 11:25 AM.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by DoNmayor View Post
    the extended life preston?

    i saw this one at walmart:

    No, stay away from dexcool (even dexcool cars are recommended to switch away from dexcool, it gums up when exposed to air). The universal stuff should be fine though.

    Like this


    I usually buy the straight up coolant though. The prediluted antifreeze is an excuse to charge you more money for water. Just remember to service the cooling system at regular intervals. It is the additive package that protects against corrosion and that needs to be renewed after a few years. BMW coolant is no different but it is also formulated to work with hard, european water. Use decent water and there is zero reason to run it. In fact, not a single one of my cars has had BMW coolant in it when I bought them and they've all looked great inside. That includes an M20 with over 300k miles on it, an M50 with 246k on it, and my M62 with 210k miles on it.
    1985 325 - 5 speed - LSD - M50NV - MS2/extra - AEM UEGO - TiAL MV-R - 750cc injectors - HX35 - Blunttech Manifold - 3" exhaust
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by DoNmayor View Post
    the extended life preston?

    i saw this one at walmart:


    That isn't green and it isn't the "normal" stuff as mentioned, it says "GM Dex-cool approved" right on it, which is complete garbage and gums up pretty badly. My moms old GMC jimmy which was purchased new and dealer maintained went through 4 heater cores in 90k miles because of that shit.

    I use peak pre-mixed green stuff from the parts store. Just remember it isn't "long life" so change it every 5 years or less. But that's about 65,000 miles with average miles which is about how long cooling systems last anyway, lol.

    Oh and BMW owns Mini, so yes its the same thing.

    2001 330Cic/A in the same color combo is "Her" ride.

  10. #10
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    alright, since i already have the mini coolant, i'll just go with that. gotta stop being cheap and treat the car to a good coolant.

  11. #11
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    It will shrink your car.
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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by crdiscoverer View Post
    It will shrink your car.
    Nooooooo. Well a mini 5 series would be pretty cool. How much does it shrink?

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by DoNmayor View Post
    alright, since i already have the mini coolant, i'll just go with that. gotta stop being cheap and treat the car to a good coolant.
    yeah. When it comes time for replacement, you can use something cheaper next time though.
    1985 325 - 5 speed - LSD - M50NV - MS2/extra - AEM UEGO - TiAL MV-R - 750cc injectors - HX35 - Blunttech Manifold - 3" exhaust
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  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by E39 Sean 540ia View Post
    Nooooooo. Well a mini 5 series would be pretty cool. How much does it shrink?
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    Quote Originally Posted by crdiscoverer View Post
    It will shrink your car.
    Yes, and don't spill any on your pants either.....

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    Quote Originally Posted by crdiscoverer View Post
    Mine is better ....




  17. #17
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    bmw coolant aint that much fellas and its concentrate, you have to mix it.
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  18. #18
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    I use Zerex G-05. Haven't had any problems with it so far.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by crosseyedsniper View Post
    I use Zerex G-05. Haven't had any problems with it so far.
    This is a very bad example to follow. It takes a while until a fluid that is not suite for an engine will start showing signs of damage. This is valid for engine oils, hydraulic fluids etc. The coolant used by BMW has to be phosphate free and nitrite free. And also has to be changed every 2 years because the additives wear out, and can still lead to oxidation & plastic contamination, hence the accelerated plastic cooling components failure (my cooling parts NEVER exhibited any damage, but I always flushed the BMW coolaid every 2 years). Here is an excerpt from BMW AG - TIS 12.11.2007 18:55: "Antifreeze agents must meet the following requirements:

    - They must guarantee operability of the cooling system in winter (anti-freezing protection by lowering the freezing

    point) and in summer (prevent boiling and boiling over of the coolant).

    - They must protect metal components that come into contact with the coolant (grey cast iron, steel, aluminium

    alloy, brass, copper and solder) against corrosion and cavitation.

    - They must be neutral with respect to rubber and plastic parts in the coolant circuit.

    - They must guarantee the consistency of the above-mentioned quality criteria.

    To create these coolant properties, the anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents must be mixed to the correct ratio with

    water."
    As an example, my brother-in-law's Honda radiator bit the dust. It's a 2005 Pilot with around 50 k miles. No coolant flushes done, and the Honda maintenance schedule calls for radiator change every 50-60k miles. I suspect they don't use the same coolant formula BMW is using, nor the 2 year schedule. After all it's a Honda, which is very reliable LOL. below is the BMW document for your reading pleasure.SBS 1 - Requirements.pdf
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  20. #20
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    The phosphate issue is only for Europeans, it is not an issue here in the US as Cyrix said above. The Prestone Extended Life is however phosphate, nitrate, silicate and borate free for well over half the price.
    Last edited by FlipredE36; 06-06-2013 at 02:33 PM.
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  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doru View Post

    This is a very bad example to follow. It takes a while until a fluid that is not suite for an engine will start showing signs of damage. This is valid for engine oils, hydraulic fluids etc. The coolant used by BMW has to be phosphate free and nitrite free. And also has to be changed every 2 years because the additives wear out, and can still lead to oxidation & plastic contamination, hence the accelerated plastic cooling components failure (my cooling parts NEVER exhibited any damage, but I always flushed the BMW coolaid every 2 years). Here is an excerpt from BMW AG - TIS 12.11.2007 18:55: "Antifreeze agents must meet the following requirements:

    - They must guarantee operability of the cooling system in winter (anti-freezing protection by lowering the freezing

    point) and in summer (prevent boiling and boiling over of the coolant).

    - They must protect metal components that come into contact with the coolant (grey cast iron, steel, aluminium

    alloy, brass, copper and solder) against corrosion and cavitation.

    - They must be neutral with respect to rubber and plastic parts in the coolant circuit.

    - They must guarantee the consistency of the above-mentioned quality criteria.

    To create these coolant properties, the anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents must be mixed to the correct ratio with

    water." As an example, my brother-in-law's Honda radiator bit the dust. It's a 2005 Pilot with around 50 k miles. No coolant flushes done, and the Honda maintenance schedule calls for radiator change every 50-60k miles. I suspect they don't use the same coolant formula BMW is using, nor the 2 year schedule. After all it's a Honda, which is verye reliable LOL. below is the BMW document for your reading pleasure.<img src="http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=461787"/>
    + 10,000. I never use anything else.
    Much modified VF Supercharger Kit tuned by Tuning Tech FS, M5 front sports seats, CVV to catch can conversion, Boost Gauge, Schmiedmann header to rear muffler high flow exhaust, Header Ceramic coated inside & out, Exhaust heat wrapped from flanges after header to before CATs, Kicker sub with dedicated 200 watt amp, CCFL angel eyes, CF facelift kidney grills, Quaife LS diff ,Super duty cooling kit, Electric fan controlled by temperature adjustable 2 speed controller (JimLev design)

    John

  22. #22
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    Doru: As far as I know, the Zerex G05 meets those specs. It is one of three aftermarket coolants that match BMW coolant spec, IIRC.

    Good info in this thread:
    http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=461165

  23. #23
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    Use Evens it's a lifetime fill and no water so no pressure in you cooling system is a good thing.

    Chisum

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chisum View Post
    Use Evens it's a lifetime fill and no water so no pressure in you cooling system is a good thing.

    Chisum
    Why cant we have a regular coolant thread without someone bringing up evans?

    Do some research, your combustion chamber is likely running noticeably hotter because pure glycol coolant sucks at heat transfer. More heat in the head around the chamber = more possibility for pre-ignition = knock sensors telling the ECU to pull some timing. I don't care if your gauge or unlocked OBC reads the same, the temp of the coolant at the sensor doesnt = the temp of the cylinder head combustion chamber.

    Also, pressure is good, it in effect "presses" the coolant against the hot surfaces in the engine further helping with heat transfer.

    2001 330Cic/A in the same color combo is "Her" ride.

  25. #25
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    Just a side note: I believe the stock BMW coolant contains a water wetter. So no need to add additives.

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