Source for Zerex G-48
 

Anyone know where to buy Zerex G-48 coolant? I'm not having much success.

I've found that some chain parts stores stock it, but keep their supply behind the counter.

I'm certain N@PA, O'Reil1y, and Adv@nce/Carque$t here in Illinois stock it, as I've personally bought it from these stores. AutoZoo kids always look at me like I have 6 heads when I ask for something not specifically listed in their computer so I can't say whether or not they have it.

Prices have always been $17-25 / gallon for non-premixed with the blue G48 being slighty higher than the gold G05.

What's the 48 for?

I imagine it's for the '06 CDI. Our local NAPA carries a range of Euro spec and esoteric coolants. Many are Pentosin brand.

Sixto
83 300SD

I've used the G48 as factory-authorized coolant for MINI (BMW) and Volvo. I believe it's also the recommended choice for SAAB. I've never owned a SAAB so I can't say for certain.

If you compare the properties of G05 and G48 you won't see much difference. From what I know the main difference is the 05 contains nitrites where 48 does not. G05 is also slightly more silicate heavy, both are HOAT, low silicate, phosphate free formulations and have a rather low pH factor.

In my opinion the colors of the two formulas are the biggest difference among them.

It is available from your friendly, local BMW dealer. But apparently not in any bottle with Zerex or Valvoline on the label.

Here is the full list of MB approved antifreezes:
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/325.0_en.html

Let the record reflect that I was actually helpful once in my life...:

CNC7050 G48 Glysantin Coolant Undiluted 5 Liters | eBay

(BASF Glysantin G48 is the same thing as Zerex G48)

(but you can get a gallon of BMW coolant for $30)

It's for the CDI. I know that both G05 and G48 meet the 325.0 spec. Still, I'm giving some reason to pause that G05 lasts 5 years but the CDI change interval is every 143k miles or 13 years (although I do noticed that the manual says that any 325.0 coolant will permit that change interval). For now I simply want to have some lying around in case I were to lose some coolant...and, even though both meet spec, I hesitate to mix the two.

I know that my local NAPA carries it. Those guys are pretty much the only place I go to buy local parts anymore since all of the others have been taken over by the "hella flush mad tyte JDM yo" crowd.

Edit: Amazon has it too but they have the BMW branded bottles.

Honda coolant is blue now too. I don't understand what the difference is in all these coolants. Anyone know what improvement was made from the gold to the blue? And then there are all those coolants at autozone that say "Universal -- mix with any color in any car" .

FYI, if you have a mercedes dealer near you , you can set up a shop account. They don't require a business license like VW does. And you will save 20% on everything -- a little more easy to stomach and gives you a convenient place to get dealer only parts. I bought a gallon of the latest greatest coolant for 22.00 .

OReillys only has G05, Not G48.

I buy it at the dealer.

According to the dealer G48 is reverse compatible with G05.

Mine too, I've yet to see Blue coolant in a parts store.

According to Valvoline tech support:

1. Color is meaningless...it's simply a dye that is not a reliable guide as to the composition of the coolant.

2. MB used G-05 through 2012; in 2013 and 2014 it was G-48; from 2015 onward it's G-40.

3. If I don't know what's in there (though I'm pretty sure it's G-48), it's best to use G-05 to top off as it has the broadest range of compatibility.

4. The only difference between G-48 and G-05 is that G-48 is phosphate free.

5. The proper coolant for my car (that which I should use when I change the coolant) is G-05.

According the Valvoline, the two should not be mixed in equal quantities....however it's fine to use one to top off the other.