E85 2003 M54B30 and G12 coolant

[Aleks Mys]

Hi, my friends!
Z4 E85 late 2003 with M54B30 engine.

A few days ago, I needed to add 300 ml of coolant and because I did not know at that time what was poured into the system - I used 300ml of demineralized (destilled) water.

After this incident, I tried to find out the type of coolant from the previous owner and he only remembered that G12 coolant was used.
I tried to search for information on the manufacturer's recommendations and found information that it is necessary to use G11 coolant.

I have a few questions.
1. Can G12 coolant be used in a system where G11 is recommended by the manufacturer? I read that G11 is used in systems that have non-ferrous metals. Are there any special metals in the cooling system?
2. Can I continue to use G12 coolant due to its greater heat dissipation efficiency? Will the G12 corrode anything in the M54B30 cooling system? (last coolant change was made a year and a half ago by the previous owner)
3. If I need to change coolant from G12 to G11, can I use demineralized (destilled) water as a flush without any special flush fluids? Drain the old coolant, fully fill with demineralized (destilled) water, run the engine for 15 minutes and replace the demineralized (destilled) water with new coolant.

 

[SonnyA85]

I would use whatever the manufacturer recommends or better so long as it's also fully compliant.

I'm no expert in coolants but go onto autodoc and type in your reg and see if they will sell you a G12 coolant for your car. If none are listed in the filtered search then probably best to get the right one. I used Febi Bilstein from them.

Flushing using any water should be fine. Me personally I would stick my hose in and let it run. But I am in Scotland our water is really nice so we never use anything else but tap water and coolant in our cars no need for distilled water.

 

[Aleks Mys]

Flushing using any water should be fine. Me personally I would stick my hose in and let it run. But I am in Scotland our water is really nice so we never use anything else but tap water and coolant in our cars no need for distilled water.

I live in Eastern Europe and the running water is not of very good quality, which is why I prefer to buy demineralized (destilled) water.

Сan you share part number of coolant that you use? The first thing that search gives me from analogues is FEBI BILSTEIN 22268.

 

[SonnyA85]

Flushing using any water should be fine. Me personally I would stick my hose in and let it run. But I am in Scotland our water is really nice so we never use anything else but tap water and coolant in our cars no need for distilled water.

I live in Eastern Europe and the running water is not of very good quality, which is why I prefer to buy demineralized (destilled) water.

Сan you share part number of coolant that you use? The first thing that search gives me from analogues is FEBI BILSTEIN 22268.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/febi-bilstein/1865849

or

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/febi-bilstein/1879937

Autodoc has some G12 under the filter for Z4 so I think it's okay to use but like I said I'm no expert. I just use what's recommended by the manufacturer.

 

[patriot66]

Hi Aleks Mys. If I were you I would completely drain your coolant system, flush it thoroughly with distilled water and then refill the system with the correct BMW recommended G48 coolant (meets BMW GS94000 spec.) I use Comma G48 Xstream mixed 50:50 with distilled water

 

[Aleks Mys]

Hi Aleks Mys. If I were you I would completely drain your coolant system, flush it thoroughly with distilled water and then refill the system with the correct BMW recommended G48 coolant (meets BMW GS94000 spec.) I use Comma G48 Xstream mixed 50:50 with distilled water

Agreed, I think that's exactly what I'm going to do.
What do you think about FEBI BILSTEIN 22268 Antifreeze?
There is no Comma G48 Xstream in my region, and judging by the reviews above and in general, this is a good analogue.

 

[SonnyA85]

Hi Aleks Mys. If I were you I would completely drain your coolant system, flush it thoroughly with distilled water and then refill the system with the correct BMW recommended G48 coolant (meets BMW GS94000 spec.) I use Comma G48 Xstream mixed 50:50 with distilled water

Agreed, I think that's exactly what I'm going to do.
What do you think about FEBI BILSTEIN 22268 Antifreeze?
There is no Comma G48 Xstream in my region, and judging by the reviews above and in general, this is a good analogue.

I'm using it in my car. Been in it for a month now. Not had any issues so far.

 

[patriot66]

Hi Aleks Mys. If I were you I would completely drain your coolant system, flush it thoroughly with distilled water and then refill the system with the correct BMW recommended G48 coolant (meets BMW GS94000 spec.) I use Comma G48 Xstream mixed 50:50 with distilled water

Agreed, I think that's exactly what I'm going to do.
What do you think about FEBI BILSTEIN 22268 Antifreeze?
There is no Comma G48 Xstream in my region, and judging by the reviews above and in general, this is a good analogue.

I'm using it in my car. Been in it for a month now. Not had any issues so far.

On the Febi Bilstein website it says 22268 : Recommended Use: G48, so it should be fine
https://partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com/en_US/article/febi/22268