Coolant useage (How much)
11-02-2005, 05:08 AM
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Just got the wife's car back from BMW and I asked them to check the system as it has used 3/4 of a litre in 15 months and 15000miles. They have told me it's quite normal you should have to top it up! We had an Audi before and never had to top it up.Has anyone else had this problem and what is normal. The lady told me maybe it evaporates or something.
11-02-2005, 06:11 AM
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My Ride: Gone: 2004 525i Jet Black, Built 03/04, Premium Package, Black Dakota Leather, Halogen to Euro Spec Bi-Xenons Retrofit, Dark Poplar Wood Trim, Steptronic Breyton Spirit Reps 20x9F 20x10R - Nitto NT555 245/35/20F-275/30/20R, M5 Front Bumper, H&R Sport Springs, Chrome Grills, 20% Tint, Euro Reflectors, Debadged, Aux Input, CIP v19.x
I had a low-coolant message at around 25K, 2 days after my last service. I would of figured the dealer would of checked and topped it off, but they did not.
11-02-2005, 06:55 AM
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My Ride: 2004 545i Silver/Gray, Steptronic, Nav, Logic 7, Active Steering, Aux In, Hardwired V-1.
I've got just shy of 15,000 miles on my 04 545 and had to add almost a 1/2 gallon of coolant mix. I had the dealership check it out and they said everything is normal. The dealership also added that our cars seem to need topped off pretty regularly.
11-02-2005, 07:14 AM
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My Ride: In a place where the Mercedes density is the highest in the world (no. of MB per square kilometer) I choose a Bimmer, why? because of one thing "The Ultimate Driving Experience"
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523i Steptronic, Silver Grey Exterior, Black Interior with Black Dakota Leather and Maple Wood Trim. Chrome Grill, Style 123 rim, Airbags everywhere, PDC, Rain sensor, Auto lights, Moveable front armrest, Advance Climate Control, Glass Sunroof, Auto dimming interior and exterior mirror with foldable functions, Extended Lights package, 6 CD changer in glove box, Power seats with memory, Power adjustable steering wheel, Power rear sunblinds.
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1999 E39 523i
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It's alive and it's drinking too 
j/k but there's probably something wrong with the rad cap as it is not maintaining the pressure and water evaporates from the system. Things like this shouldn't happen in a new car.
j/k but there's probably something wrong with the rad cap as it is not maintaining the pressure and water evaporates from the system. Things like this shouldn't happen in a new car.
11-02-2005, 07:16 AM
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
I got the coolant level low message last week when I started the car so I drove to the dealer and bought a gallon of coolant. When I started the car to leave--no message, and I even checked iDrive. After the engine cooled down, I checked the level and it was low---added about 5 cups of 50% coolant/50% distilled water mixture. Car has around 8K miles, 9 months old.
11-02-2005, 08:32 AM
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My Ride: E60 530i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: M54
Originally Posted by stream' date='Nov 2 2005, 11:16 AM
I got the coolant level low message last week when I started the car so I drove to the dealer and bought a gallon of coolant.? When I started the car to leave--no message, and I even checked iDrive.? After the engine cooled down, I checked the level and it was low---added about 5 cups of 50% coolant/50% distilled water mixture.? Car has around 8K miles, 9 months old.
[snapback]192465[/snapback]
11-02-2005, 08:40 AM
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My Ride: 2006 530xiT, Sep. 2005 build, silver gray/gray/black anthracite, Steptronic, Premium, Premium Sound, NAV, PDC.
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What brand(s) are appropriate in the U.S. if you don't want to get the official BMW coolant from your dealer?
11-02-2005, 09:08 AM
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Originally Posted by Mr.PC' date='Nov 2 2005, 10:40 AM
What brand(s) are appropriate in the U.S. if you don't want to get the official BMW coolant from your dealer?
[snapback]192507[/snapback]
11-02-2005, 10:09 AM
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My Ride: 2004 545i Silver/Gray, Steptronic, Nav, Logic 7, Active Steering, Aux In, Hardwired V-1.
Originally Posted by stream' date='Nov 2 2005, 02:08 PM
[quote name='Mr.PC' date='Nov 2 2005, 10:40 AM']What brand(s) are appropriate in the U.S. if you don't want to get the official BMW coolant from your dealer?
[snapback]192507[/snapback]
[snapback]192520[/snapback]
[/quote]Agreed, not worth looking around. After you mix with distilled water, you've got plenty left for later. Had some buddies top off their BMW's with my mix and I'm still not worried about running out any time soon.
11-03-2005, 01:22 AM
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My Ride: 530d (Jan 2005) premium pack, pro nav, steptronic