Prestone antifreeze over BMW's?

[MrSweet1991]

Hi All,

I got this on offer:

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-G...ucts/295153413

Is there any drawbacks using this over BMW's own? I haven't put it in yet, car had a load of leaks from a failed hose so there's just distilled water in there for now.

Cheers.

[jbash87]

BMW coolant is specially formulated to not corrode the alusil blocks. I can't remember the exact chemicals in question but you should not be using a generic formulation.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by MrSweet1991

Hi All,

I got this on offer:

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-G...ucts/295153413

Is there any drawbacks using this over BMW's own? I haven't put it in yet, car had a load of leaks from a failed hose so there's just distilled water in there for now.

Cheers.

I would suggest to use a coolant (anti-freeze) that is nitrate and amino free....which is what BMW used during the e70 X5 era. The original BMW blue coolant or Zerex G48 is preferable. But BMW has changed up on the newer models and now uses HT-12 which can be green or magenta...which is backwards compatible with the "old Blue" & G48:

[MrSweet1991]

Thanks all,

2 bottles of bmws going in today, will try get another bottle as I believe that's closer to a 50/50 ratio of distilled to antifreeze.