Antifreeze Prestone or OEM BMW

If you are going to use Prestone brand, then you'd want Violet color.

I always use the OEM coolant that I pay an arm and a leg for from the dealership. For a few dollars it’s not something I want to chance in vehicles (especially my E46) with such sensitive cooling systems.

G12/13 has better lubricating properties over long periods of time, which is why they use it in what you always hear as "lifetime fill." This is due to the phosphates in the coolant.

The Prestone stuff works just fine and there shouldn't really be an issue.

I have been using Prestone Green FORever, in all my cars but the one that is Dexi-cool. I don't think I have ever had an issue with the Green as I flush my cars on a bi-yearly kinda thing or when I have to change things.

I use Prestone Celisus Anti-freeze/coolant. It's pretty much universal, never had a problem in my 92 TD or my 91 1.8 8V with coolant or overheating.

Volkswagen G12 coolant - ~$20/gallon Prestone Extended Life coolant - ~$8/gallon Distilled water (preferably reverse-osmosis/deionized water)

I've had zero issues using green prestone for the past 100k on my 16v. Just change it every 2-3 years. Car never has any white build-up or any build-up in the hoses, so there's no real reason to not use it. Ph level stays neutral. Engine even has the original water pump at 180k :laugh:

I bought a 3/8ths 8 inch long copper tube, 4 screw tightening tube clamps and Prestone Antifreeze...I jammed 3 inches of that beast of a tube in one end and 3 inches into the other and put two clamps on each side to hold that baby in. There were flares on each end so I know the thing can't slip out at either end. It was a perfect fit. I then dumped that Prestone Antifreeze into the car and went for a test drive. NO LEAKS!

Prestone destroyed my passats Cooling system, everything just deteriorated, the hoses in my car started to break up. I don't recommend prestone