F56jcw which coolant?

[GT4P]

Hi I need to top up coolant with about half a litre but I cannot find in the manual what spec. Coolant to use?
Do I have to buy from BMW/Mini at a ridiculous price or can I use Halfords recommended own brand?
Thanks in advance for any help

[E-bmw]

You need to top up with whatever is already in there as mixing can cause many issues.

Unless you know what is in there it is really best to drop the lot & put the right stuff in, then you know, it could well be G38, but not 100% sure.

For just a small top up distilled water would likely be OK in the short term, but then get the lot changed next service.

[GT4P]

I believe it actually could be G48, the coolant spec. use to be in car manuals, the one bmw/mini sell would be the correct spec. but in knowing the spec. you can buy where ever and at a fraction of the price. Coolant use to be blue or red!
I recently bought a genuine bmw/mini air filter the same product is a Mann airfilter code 22018 which can be bought anywhere and is OEM for half the price

[Ian.Campbell]

F56 JCW, I would agree with GT4P, it’s G48 blue concentrate 1.5ltr £8.00 I’ve just had my F56 serviced at Mini and asked about coolant and thermostat change, was told it’s not a service requirement, I asked again and after some puzzled looks was told between £400-£500 not sure if they were correct on price or just wanted to not do it, mind you I had same issue when I asked about change of manual transmission fluid £285, it would appear coolant and manual trans fluid last the lifetime off car, and are not required to be changed during any service, That may be BMW/MINI service department rules, I’m not convinced that’s good for my F56 JCW Roary.

Edited by Ian.Campbell on Tuesday 16th August 20:10

[GT4P]

As a follow up i topped up with 250ml distilled water to bring it up to level, might be wrong but it’s only the water that would have evaporated.
Did some digging and it is G48 and it’s only needs a mix of 33% g48 the rest distilled water although they may leave the factory with a higher concentration of G48.
I am sure if you wanted to replace the coolant it’s a fairly easy job and would cost less than £20 for g48 and distilled water and at least you will know it’s been done!