Stupid question: What kind of coolant do BMWs use? The stupid owner's manual just
 

says to go to the dealer and gives no specs. This doesn't help me, as I don't want to buy overpriced coolant from the stealership.

Thanks in advance.

This thread might help you:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...hlight=coolant

Buy the BMW coolant, BMW's and most german cars run on phosphate free coolant (it doesn't erode hoses and destroy water pumps and clog radiators); most auto supply stores sell this, but coolant is cheap, so why mess with experimenting...

A gallon of coolant on my Audi (G12) costs at least $20 at the stealership, which isn't cheap IMO. That's what I'm trying to avoid on the X5.

Any phosphate free coolant should not harm your car, I know there is some off the shelf brand coolant which is the same as BMW coolant that auto supply stores sell, but I forget the brand.. I think it's SHELL...

I still think paying $20 for BMW coolant is safe peace of mind.. that's really not that much more money to pay..

No disrespect intended but It never ceases to amaze my why someone who drives a $60k to $70K automobile has to fret over this minor cost of ownership.

Get the correct coolant and move on.

That may be true but that does not prevent the X5 cooling system to often fail sooner than a lot of other cars. I always put BMW recommended coolant on my X until I got a major cooling system breakdown at 60k. Radiator and water pump were changed all under warranty. Then 15k later I had to replace the hoses which were not under warranty. Now I do not care anymore putting Prestone instead of BMW approved coolant like I did on my previous cars. None of them had any cooling system issue until pass 100k

Quicksilver: Just because someone spends $60-70k on a car (which I didn't, BTW) doesn't mean they'll spend $20 when they can get the same thing for $10. That's just irrational and dumb.

Yep about as irrational as driving all over town burning up $10.00 worth of gas to save $2.00

But let's be clear i have no problem with getting the same thing for 50% off but that's not what were talkin about is it?

I believe someone else already sumed it up. Buy OEM. if one does perhaps sticking to MFG's specifications will save you from huge repair bill and realizing later on that not doing so was just irrational and dumb.