[Carjack]

Walked into my local BMW Main Dealer for a couple of bottles of windscreen washer fliud and noticed that the bottles are now white not grey.
I asked why this was and the reply: BMW have changed the fluid.
It is now blue coloured not clear. Not only that, the 'Parts Advisor' advised that the two should not be mixed. I should run the clear to empty and then refill with the blue. I asked why was this? Was it a diff type of fluid?
He replied he did not know!
A bit of a pain. It means on a long journey now have to have a bottle of blue in the boot. But in any case, that's not a bad idea I suppose!

[RobUK]

Have heard mention that mixing certain types of screen wash can result in a white sludge that blocks the filter (between the reservoir and the pipe work).

[RichardM]

So what do they do if you go in for a service when it's half full? I bet they don't drain it.

[davyk31]

Thats interesting to hear as I bought a 5 litre jar of BMW fluid recently and it came through as blue fluid when I expected clear. Seems its the right stuff then.

Cant see any major issue with mixing but just wait until your bottle is very low or run it out on purpose before refilling.

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by RichardM

So what do they do if you go in for a service when it's half full? I bet they don't drain it.

They fill it up with tap water and charge you £2.50 for 'sundries'

[Sladester100]

"BMW Fluid" - So are people not just buying premixed kak from Halfords?? lol

[rich1068]

Premium car, premium screenwash. Keep up Sladester!

And anyway, the BMW stuff is worth 10 brake at least.

[styles997]

I get enough stick for just having the BMW flask (that doesn't actually fit in the car properly). Would hate to think of my mates' response at only using BM fluids!

[davyk31]

Having just spent 90mins removing the wheel, arch liner and then washer fluid bottle in the arch to clean the tiny filter that clogs us with cheapo screenwash, apparently the BMW stuff doesn't cause this problem. If that is the case then it is worth it.

Not cheap stuff at over £20 for 5 litres.

[JOHNBMWM5]

I have not had a problem putting any old shite in it, or any BMW washer bottle, been lucky maybe, but still going to do it.

[sdb123]

I've put all kinds of brands SW in my E90 and never had a problem. Why pay through the nose for BMW fluids?

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by sdb123

I've put all kinds of brands SW in my E90 and never had a problem. Why pay through the nose for BMW fluids?

I wont

[oldnail]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

I wont

Did the same, put any old stuff out of supermarkets or wherever in my E90 for 3 years.

It ended up like DavyK, costing £60 to get the filter unclogged ... lesson learned, use only BMW fluid now!

[Sladester100]

In three years your probably saved more than 60 quid so worthwhile perhaps...?

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Sladester100

In three years your probably saved more than 60 quid so worthwhile perhaps...?

Mine will belong gone by then

[SeanH]

Wondered why it was taking me so long to top up my washer fluid, put a small cup of screenwash in but it was taking 5 mins for it to flow, then topped it up with water and job's a good un!

[davyk31]

Depends on how often you use your washers ........ I detest the mess they make of the car when the headlight washers blast off so hardly ever use the washers. This means my water lies in there for ages and if its cheap rubbish it goes off, just leave some in a jar sometime and see what we mean. The filters in the washer bottle have a tiny filter with really tiny holes that are easily clogged up.

[oldnail]

Originally Posted by Sladester100

In three years your probably saved more than 60 quid so worthwhile perhaps...?

Not really in my opinion, there was the inconvenience of leaving the car in to be fixed, plus the fact that there were a couple of mucky days where it couldn't be driven because the window washers weren't working!

How lame an excuse is that on a £20k+ car? :-).

Bought 2 bottles of the BMW fluid a year and a half ago, only used one so far. So for me, I think I would have been better using the correct fluid!

[dopper99]

I bought some BMW stuff early last year and I think its brilliant. Best stuff I've ever bought for cleaning the windows and works down to quite a low temperature if you mix it correctly. Seems to have lasted a while too - I dont fill it up that often cos I dont need to use that much of it when I squirt it. I've still got loads left in the 5 litre bottle.
I bought it based on stories about headlamp washers freezing up and breaking using cheap jack stuff.

[flc1962]

anyone got the part number handy for the 5 ltr ?

[pedroF31]

I kindly topped up my colleagues 1 - series with Halford's screenwash and when it mixed with the BMW stuff already in there it all curdled into a gloop and blocked the filters etc. Cost her £90 to have sorted as not covered by warranty. Once that has happened to you then you will never mix fluids again !

[Walesy]

I bought the BMW stuff, was Blue also to my surprise as I though it was clear.

Anyways, having spent 2 hours under the wheel arch of my E90, accessing the gauze filter to clear if from using cheap screen wash, In the freezing cold at night, I wont be doing that again!