Washer Fluid for Winter

[autoque]

Originally Posted by StumpyPete

whatever you do make sure it is at a suitable concentration not to freeze. I had mine at 1/3 concentrated washer fluid last year and it froze at -16C causing the rear washer pipe to split soaking the internals of my car. It took forever for the carpets to dry out.

How did the fluid from rear washer pipe wet the carpets in the car?

I have much diluted washer fluid at the moment and I want to know the symptoms if it happens to freeze.

[StumpyPete]

The rear washer pipe runs from the bottle in the front right fender, enters into the car above the footwell, is routed across the transmission into the other footwell and then runs along the whole length of the interior on the left hand side. It then connects up a pipe that goes up the C-pillar to the rear wash mechanism. The problem is that when a split occurs the WHOLE washer bottle (7.5L) drains into the car underneath the carpets.

BMW have re-designed the pipe so it now flows across the bulkhead in the engine bay and then enters into the left-hand footwell. By running it higher than the washer bottle, it can no longer drain in the same way. So from MY 2011 the problem is resolved. Despite it being a massive design flaw BMW refused to pay anything towards my repair which is one of the reasons why I now drive a Q7.

[E61Silver]

Originally Posted by diesaroo

I'm sure it's not as "fancy" as OEM coolant, but I have always been pleased with the orange Rain-x used year round. $2.50/gal at walmart.

+1 In my other car. In my BMW whatever the dealers adds during service.

[autoque]

How's the Q7, ride/handling/refinement/overall? The Q7 was the first runner up but I went for the X5.

[StumpyPete]

when it comes to handling the Q7 is nowhere near the sharpness of the X5. quite a bit more body roll, which is improved in Dynamic mode (i.e. hardened suspension) but still doesn't get close.

In terms of ride it is probably a bit better as it is softer over the bumps and you don't get nearly as many complaints from the small people in the back.

Refinement is comparable, and I do like the way the electronics actually work - they are a lot less flakey than the X5. The integration of the electronics into the car is a LOT better. The eight speed box is dreamy - you just do not notice the shifts at all.

One downside is that the Q EATS TYRES, there are ways to manage it, but I only expect to get about 15k out of a set whereas I was getting 30k out of my X5.

Overall I am very happy with it so far. The big bonus for me was that when I bought it, the deals on offer from Audi UK were so good that it worked out about 10K GBP cheaper than the X5 (i.e. 15k USD) for a slightly higher spec so that covers my increased tyre costs.

However, I still look longingly at all those other X5s - they look soooo Good, and the rose tinted spectacles remind me of all the fun I had. But then the hard nose and the brain kicks in and reminds me of all the grief. I'd love to own another one, but BMW will need to work on reliability before I consider it.