[Tengocity]

Am I the only person that finds the design of the F3x system a bit weird?

The sharp turn at the spout means you have to pour very slowly for it not to spill everywhere! And then because the actual bottle is hidden there is no way to monitor usage and check if it should be done. And then once it is almost full, because you can't see the pipe or neck, you've no real warning of when it's about to overspill!

The one good thing is that at least there is an ok place to rest the bottle for the half an hour it takes!

[Floriank]

I agree - refilled mine last night from one of those 5ltr square plastic bottles you buy from BP stations and the first half a litre went into the engine bay rather than the filler hole.

You just can't get close enough to the hole when the refill bottle is full and the liquid just splashes straight back out from the shallow reservoir before it goes down the pipe into the tank

Still, when pulling out from the petrol station and merging back into fast moving dual-carriageway traffic all is forgiven - the torque just makes you forget all your petty niggles....

[Tengocity]

Glad I'm not alone... still half expecting someone to come along and tell me it's actually brilliant and that I'm doing something wrong!

[lighthousemoon]

Well yes it's hard to get to but when you get the washer fluid low warning, I get those gallon bottles and pour one in and always end up using it all, never having a little left over so when the warning light comes on I know I can put in a gallon without overflowing.

[Meds]

Won't using a funnel help?

[crono06]

Yeah, I use a funnel for mine as well. We use a lot of the stuff here up north, so I top it up almost weekly. I wouldn't want to be stuck out driving in the snow and salt with no fluids.

As a side note, we also have an Audi Q5 and the design is the same as for the F30.

[E90F30er]

On the E90 I had the reservoir absolutely empty on purpose. I added 1l of screenwash and the warning was still there, then added 250ml still warning me but another 250ml warning had gone. The manual says it takes 6l.

[Tengocity]

The funnel can help with the spillage somewhat, but not with the crap flow rate. And because of the 90 degree angle right at the top I'm guessing the funnel would be awkward to use, and would probably need to be held.

[greyt]

I filled mine for the first time during the week and was thinking the same thing, the 90 degree bend means it takes forever to fill....

[HighlandPete]

5-series is similar... funnel and care.

Anyone remember the plastic pouch we used to have in cars years back? Takes me back to my Cortina Mk2 GT, held not much more than a pint of washer fluid, needed filling every few days in winter. Makes today's filling an easy task.

HighlandPete

[Zippeh]

Just done mine for the first time. Big step back from the e92 one. I could sit a big funnel in there and not spill a drop.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Meds

Won't using a funnel help?

Agree it's a PITA but always has been on the BMs. Another +1 for funnel use.

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

5-series is similar... funnel and care.

Anyone remember the plastic pouch we used to have in cars years back? Takes me back to my Cortina Mk2 GT, held not much more than a pint of washer fluid, needed filling every few days in winter. Makes today's filling an easy task.

HighlandPete

Flipping heck Pete, your showing your age there!

But yes that takes me back. And if I remember correctly they used to puncture very easily too.

[HiBee]

I'm sure this subject was brought up before. Filling the washer bottle in the F30 has always been a pain without overspilling
I normally fill a small container with diluted screen wash, gentley pour into shallow top & filter. Takes a bit time but saves the spillage all over the engine bay.
Not sure on what others do ?
I wonder what the BMW service garages do, let it spill & wipe off excess
Not aware that the filter can be removed. Never tried it as it seemed to be fixed & i didn't want to force it.

[edz_f06]

I can't get the funnel to balance in the neck

So I've got a plastic milk bottle cut in half and that works brilliantly!

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

5-series is similar... funnel and care.

Anyone remember the plastic pouch we used to have in cars years back? Takes me back to my Cortina Mk2 GT, held not much more than a pint of washer fluid, needed filling every few days in winter. Makes today's filling an easy task.

HighlandPete

...and my mk1 escort had a foot pump for the washers

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by HiBee

I'm sure this subject was brought up before. Filling the washer bottle in the F30 has always been a pain without overspilling
I normally fill a small container with diluted screen wash, gentley pour into shallow top & filter. Takes a bit time but saves the spillage all over the engine bay.
Not sure on what others do ?
I wonder what the BMW service garages do, let it spill & wipe off excess
Not aware that the filter can be removed. Never tried it as it seemed to be fixed & i didn't want to force it.

I purposely ran my washers dry (non BMW fluid) before a service, expecting to have a nice full washer reservoir ( I say expecting, this is normal for Mercedes Benz), and literally the second squirt....BONG : WASHER FLUID LOW

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

...and my mk1 escort had a foot pump for the washers

Had a few land rovers with that lol

Like sooo powerful

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by edz_f31

I can't get the funnel to balance in the neck

So I've got a plastic milk bottle cut in half and that works brilliantly!

That's the best solution I've heard so far anyway... Did you cut a hole to line up with the right angled pipe entrance too?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

I purposely ran my washers dry (non BMW fluid) before a service, expecting to have a nice full washer reservoir ( I say expecting, this is normal for Mercedes Benz), and literally the second squirt....BONG : WASHER FLUID LOW

The time it takes to fill up would be longer than the time BMW allocate for a service!

[PrinceBarin]

Glad someone else pointed this out. I had to park sideways on a hill last time I needed to full up. Rubbish.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

That's the best solution I've heard so far anyway... Did you cut a hole to line up with the right angled pipe entrance too?

I use a large evian water bottle with bottom cut off, it's clear and slows down the water.

A mate has a bit of hose stuck on his water bottle works really well but I can't be arsed going that far.