another pointless antifreeze Q

[Lower_Level]

Alright, so the 325 is almost back together now and I happened to notice that a couple of the rad hoses had a hint of green coolant in them .

So now the system is drained fully & the debate is going on wether to put in pentosin antifreeze; or Crappy Tire's universal yellow wonder. Knowing that the car was running on standard green for who knows how long, will it really make any difference what goes in it now?

Just curious as to your guy's opinions.

[Mickey Knox]

final answer BMW OEM blue, no second guessing required

[propr'one]

if your car is a 93 or older, you HAVE TO use nitrate AND sillicate free coolant, otherwise your rad will explode.

(not really, but it will be bad)

[kenmar]

I used to use Havoline because it was reasonably priced and free of everything you could think of: silicates, phosphates, nitrates, borates, etc... (all the nasty stuff mentioned in the manual). I stopped using it because over the past year, no retailer in the GTA carries it anymore. So, I finally capitulated and switched over to the BMW blue stuff. Strangely, the label does not say it's silicate free (just phosphate and nitrate free, I believe).

[Lower_Level]

Not to beat on a dead horse here; but I came across "Zerex G5" antifreeze today & it says "manufacturer approved" by BMW on the back label( as well as many other german & import makes). But the label only says phosphate free??

Anyone ever got brave & tried this stuff?