Coolant change?

[Fen335i]

I took my car in for it's 3rd servicing...was basically just an engine oil/filter change and new wiper blades. I asked the service assistant when the car would call for a coolant change...I was suprised to hear his answer...he said it's usually called upon at the 5th year mark.

Does that seem right? I guess I'm old school, but we used to change coolant about once a year on cars...what's so different now that they only need to be changed every 5?

I will track this car a few times and thought it would be good to have the coolant changed before track day(s) this summer...

[M_Time]

Funny you ask, I called my SA today to ask BMW recommends every 3 Yrs. I really think the interval is way to long especially on our vehicles, I'm planning on changing mine after allready 1.5 Yrs. I have noticed here in Florida the car temp slowly creaping up. Dealers will charge you almost $200 for a coolant flush, If you are savy enough you casn probably get away and do it yourself.

First want to find some paper strip testers to be sure before I decide to flush.

[JCtx]

I always like to change fluids for the first time early, due to assembly contamination. In case of coolant, mileage is more important than time IMO, so depends how much and how hard car is driven. I plan to do it at the 3 year mark at the most, which in my case would mean about 10K miles. I wouldn't do it later than 30K miles, but to each his own. And yes, it's an easy DIY, as well as a cheap one; shouldn't cost more than $30, but make sure it's a high quality, long-life coolant without silicates, but it's also desirable to buy one without nitrites, borates, or phosphates. Oh, and use distilled water to dilute it (if needed) in a 50/50 ratio.

[Fen335i]

Thanks Guys...good info. The SA said it's not easy to change...but we'll see.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Fen335i

Thanks Guys...good info. The SA said it's not easy to change...but we'll see.

Well, that'd only be true if radiator doesn't have a drain valve, but that'd be unbelievable on this car. Didn't bother to check when I removed my bumper to install a radiator/condenser protector. The other fact is it'll definitely be slower to fill, due to not having a radiator cap; everything has to be filled thru the reservoir cap, which has a small hose to the radiator. Purging could be an issue too, but car would have a valve(s) if needed. Somebody needs to post the procedure from the service manual. I'm a couple of years away from needing it, so am not worried now .Hopefully it'll be a DIY by then.

[Fen335i]

yep, he said there is no drain plug....so getting the old fluid out would be a pain.

[Georgeair]

Silly rabbit; the drain plugs are in the same parts bin as the dipsticks, neither comes near these cars........

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Fen335i

yep, he said there is no drain plug....so getting the old fluid out would be a pain.

Man, that's crazy. Now I remember I had to remove the lower radiator hose on my BMW K1200 bike to change coolant, so I'm not surprised. But I still don't believe it until I check it; should have checked it when I had the bumper out. On most of my other cars there's even a hole on the belly pan so nothing has to be removed. And the Germans supposedly think about those things (yeah, right!). Lower radiator hose is the only way if no drain plug is present; what a PITA. Take care.

[chd2]

I don't recall a drain plug on my e30, e36, or e39..always had to remove the lower return. I always wondered why they didn't include one, it seems like it would be an easy addition.

[alpineweissM3]

I find that very hard to believe. My e46 had a drain plug. But then again, my e46 had a dipstick too!

[Fen335i]

yea, I just find it crazy that BMW won't change it sooner than 5 years...that seems ridiculous to me. But, then again they are paying for the maintenance, so that probably answers the question.