What Coolant you using?

Originally Posted by GSXRYDER

I use the BMW coolant. The dealer is nearby, it was like $17 per gallon and 2 gallons fills our system it is like $8 more expensive than normal stuff...but not so bad for me. Second, I'd look at the valley pan gasket, if yours is leaking, they leak slow and it is difficult to find ...if it is a slow leak I wouldn't even bother with coolant...just get a gallon of distilled water and keep it topped off. Then after you've done the valley pan or had it done then use coolant. Water itself is an excellent coolant unless you're worried about 'freezing' don't use additional coolant...water will work great. Valley pans are expensive to replace so save your $ for that job...then do the whole shabang...IMHO

And follow the procedure below to top off the coolant level

A newbie's first post was asking what coolant to use, so, for the record, I pointed him to this "What Coolant you using?" thread, which I consider the canonical thread for E39 coolant:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > Toping off Coolant

Originally Posted by chuxanator

Hey everyone, first post here.
It was a cold morning today and "check coolant" lit up. I went to the store and guy recommended me Zerex coolant for BMW. I mixed it 50/50 with water. So how do I go about toping it off. Do I just pour it in until it reaches max? Because I read somewhere that you have to unscrew some bleed screw.

For the cross-linked record, a short history of Zerex (Zerez, Zerone, etc.) is in this thread today:
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > A coolant I came across

Originally Posted by aioros

Have anybody used or is currently using this coolant?

Originally Posted by edjack

ZEREZ was the original "permanent" anti-freeze. Before that, people used a methanol-based product. Zerone was one brand. It had to be changed out with pure water for summer, since it would boil away in the old none-and low-pressurized cooling systems of the day (methanol boils at about 160 deg F).

EDIT: Another 'what coolant' thread posted today:
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > recommendations for coolant

Originally Posted by soledoc

Any tips of suggestions for brand/type of coolant? Just got a message on my '02 525iT to check coolant level. Anything else to be concerned about?

Originally Posted by stigst3r

has anyone actually tried these coolant additives , are there any noticeable results from using them?

Tried WaterWetter with no measurable difference in temp. My indy says it's a waste. Just use 50/50 BMW coolant and water plus maintain the cooling system.

I'm not vouching for what is said in this video (after all, it's put on by a magazine collaborating with a coolant manufacturer); but it's an hour all about coolants, which contains some interesting information.

Originally Posted by chansta

lets put this age old question to end. long video but very informative.

PS: Since there are three religious sects when it comes to all BMW fluids, you'll never put the argument to rest - all you can do is figure out which sect you personally belong to.
1. Only BMW recommendatrions
2. BMW recommendations plus anything that meets BMW standards
3. BMW recommendations plus anything meeting BMW standards plus logical alternatives

For the crosslinked record, the "what coolant" topic came up again today, over here:

Originally Posted by bmwmanz2

Anyone have any idea what is different about this besides the color? I am wondering if it is phosphate free or has some other kind of additives to prevent corrosion/cavitation or premature corrosion of the hoses. I was looking for the msds sheet for it or even the chemicals listed, but no luck. I was wondering if it was the standard ethylene glycol base etc. any help or redirection would be I help. Thanks guys.

I've been trying to figure out why the 'what coolant' comes up, and specifically why anyone would think to only consider BMW coolant, when it finally dawned upon me that the coolant choice, is based on personality just as much as almost every other choice we make.

Here's an example which was posted today

Originally Posted by jyeh74

Do we need specific BMW coolant? I bought a Prestone 50/50 antifreeze and it said "all make" "all models":

Simple, any of these readily available three will work: Preston Extended Life (Green)5-150/Valvolin Zerex G-05/Peake Green. Mix in pure water from anywhere at less than $1 per gallon (if coolant not premixed) and ready to go. For those asking about water wetter and other coolant additives: As far as I know, BMW coolant contains a water wetter.