E39 coolant level

dont be so finiky! your coolant is fine. as long as that red float is up over the edge of the filler you are ok. its normal for these things to consume a litte coolant , i dont know what the exact guidelines are, but the low level light will come on long before you overheat. so dont worry about it.

I don't think it is. Only time I've topped mine up in 7 years was when the waterpump was leaking.

Not unless the float keeps trending downward. I'd have it topped off and check the level every day or so for a couple weeks to make sure.

If your car is in the U.S. you might still be in the 4yr/50000 mile free maintenance schedule window. Your dealer will top it off for free. Or you might DIY.

According to the service schedule, your car should have the coolant drained and refilled at 4 years from date of manufacture, that might be about now.

R / John

Is *normal* I guess if you've got the 540 with a dodgy radiator :-)

Not necessarily. My 2003 Z4 maintenance schedule includes no coolant changes - it's "lifetime"!

Tom K.

You might double check that. On my 2003 530i (same engine as Z4) service and warrantee handbook there's a page (page 8, right below Insp II list) that lists brake fluid (2 yrs), cooling system (4 yrs), O2 sensor (100K), Spark plugs (100K), M-mobility System (3 yrs) and Auto trans service (100K ... was "lifetime" on 2001 cars, nothing changed except BMW reevaluated the wisdom of "lifetime" fill). The next page has a chart that has blocks for service performed entries which includes those items.

I would also suggest the diff, trans and p/s fluids be changed at regular intervals.

I strongly recommend you check the pre-free-maintenance service schedules for our cars. They're more conservative and likely to contribute to better long term service and reliability.

R / John

For my 2003 Z4 3.0, the time/mileage service items are on page 9, also below Inspection II (which is the same as Inspection I except for replacement of the engine air filter). They are similar to yours: Brake Fluid (2 years) Oxygen Sensor (100K miles) Spark Plugs (100K miles) Auto Trans Fluid (100K miles) But, there is no mention of coolant except as an Inspection I "Engine Compartment" item to check for leaks and top off, if necessary.

Since your 530i has the "old" schedule, I wonder whether the 2003 330i and subsequent (2004~07) 6 cyl. models call for a 4 year change, although the note at the bottom of page 5 states that "Maintenance items and schedules stated herein reflect the combined recommendations for all 2003 model BMWs, and are subject to change."

BTW, I asked the service manager at the time about it & he replied that it must now be "lifetime". Needless to say, I'll be changing the coolant at 4 years and putting Red Line in the transmission and differential at around

Tom K.

if you have an '05 to present five series (E60or E61wagon), its gonna have the new service schedule that is called CBS, or condition based service. this just means that the car has warnings for all the mentioned items, and it will throw a message up on the I-Drive screen to tell you to get your plugs changed, air filter, brake fluid flush, etc.. everthing pretty much has its own light / message. there is no fluid change interval on the diff. that i've ever seen, and i am a BMW mechanic. the M cars get a 1,200 mile break in oil change for the engine, diff, and trans, but thats it. i'll look at the checksheet but i dont even think they want you to check the level. the whole "lifetime" term is kinda vague with bmw. even the instructors at the bmw classes say that its a loose term that doesn't exactly translate to the "full lifespan of the vehicle" i cant wait until they come out with some lifetime engine oil, ha ha.

Odd. I'd suspect a misprint. Never heard of "lifetime" coolant with BMW>

Don't forget Power Steering. Synthetic D4 ATF (Redline is excellent).

R / JOHn

Everyone seems to be very complimentary about Redline products.

Are they available in the UK or is there an equally good product available here ? (and if so, what / where?)

Thanks,

Nick