Is the prestone 50/50 premix safe? This is what I can only find at Autozone and it says on the bottle that it is compatible with any type antifreeze?

If you read the previous posts carefully, it should be clear that most DO NOT recommend anything except MB brand antifreeze or the Zerex G-05 - the only two on the MB approved list! The pH of the antifreeze is very important and those two are specifically formulated to maintain the proper pH (according to MB) to prevent damage to the cooling system. Will the car immediately self-destruct if you use other formulations? Of course not but why would you use anything else if those brands were not recommended by the manufacturer?

Pick up a bottle of Zerex G-05 and read the label on the back. It clearly describes the differences and the risks of using improper formulations. The G-05 is a "HOAT" (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) formulation. DEXCOOL and others use the "OAT" (Organic Acid Technology) formulation. The real problem is with prolonged use of an improper formulation. Long-term use of the "OAT" type in your vehicle can result in internal damage to metal parts, such as the water pump. Some also believe that use of improper formulations also makes the plastic parts of the radiator fail sooner.

If your car is just a "beater", do what you wish. If you think of your car as a piece of fine machinery and want to maximize the life expectancy of your vehicle as well as possibly prevent additional costly problems down the road, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

I can get G-05 at Pep Boys for $12. and at a NAPA type indy store for ???.
Also when you putin fresh in get a bottle of NAPAKool for $7. and put that in too. Additional protection for the engine.

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Well, mine still has the green anti-freeze. I want to change it ASAP. I read this:
http://mb.braingears.com/126_DISC2/program/Engine/107/M116_38/20-010.pdf

Seems like a lot of steps just to change it. What ever happened to simply removing one drain plug, putting it back in, then filling the radiator back up with coolant? Sounds like there are drains all over the place (well, at least three). Then it says you have to start the car and start the heater. Is this just to get the coolant flowing? I guess the block plugs are to get ALL of it out.

What if I were to just drain the radiator (not the block) and pour in the "MB" or Zerox G-3 anti-freeze. Will it harm the system to mix in the genuine MB antifreeze with the typical "green" anti-freeze (incase I do not get all of the green out)?

Thanks.