BMW Official Washer Fluid - how much?

[jinkster]

Just wondering how much the official BMW Washer fluid is? I have been having issues with my washer jets having replaced the fluid and told it was a reaction between the BMW fluid which sound like rubbish but hey ho, must try the BMW fluid.

How much do they charge for this?

[Pickled Piper]

Can't remember exactly. They have an ebay site and are on amazon so you can check there.

When I last checked it wasn't a great deal more than the Halfords stuff.

pp

[TX1]

Bought some a couple of weeks ago, for 2 x 1 Ltr total was approx 8 quid.
Use it both in my car and van and I rate it highly.

[g3org3y]

TX1 said:

Bought some a couple of weeks ago, for 2 x 1 Ltr total was approx 8 quid.
Use it both in my car and van and I rate it highly.

8 quid for 2 litres seems pretty steep.

What temp does it work down to undiluted?

[youngsyr]

-25*C per Amazon and it's £8 for 1L on that site!

Also says you should not dilute it, so you're looking at £36 to fill a normal 4L tank. Absolutely incredible when you can do the same with decent branded stuff for a couple of quid.

[Nigel H]

Agreed £4 per litre. I dilute 1:4 which is ok to -12

There seems to be a concensus that the use of the BM pukka stuff stops the washer tank getting full of slime and blocking the jets.

After 6 years my tank did indeed fill with slime which had to be cleaned out. Since I used the cheapy washer fluid I've now reverted to the BM offical stuff in the hope I don't have a recurrence.

[TX1]

Yes, same here I dilute aprrox 1/4 parts water.
High in alcohol content I think so get the feeling if it is used neath any that gets on the bodywork if undiluted would strip my wax finish and all my hours of labor.
Main reason I use it is a couple of years back my headlamp washers ended up hanging over the bumper after a very cold spell, the liquid inside froze and expanded so the things popped out.
Since using the BMW stuff they have been fine so worth every penny for me.

[Gusbang]

How about the Quantum stuff they sell on ebay, as used by VAG.

Item number 181040747915

Any good?

[stuart-b]

BMW official washer fluid... good grief.

Whatever next

[rj1986]

I got a huge 20L barrel for about £50 ish.
I used some cheap halfords stuff in my old 1 series, and i had to get it unclogged about 3 times (once under warranty, twice done by myself)

[youngsyr]

rj1986 said:

I got a huge 20L barrel for about £50 ish.
I used some cheap halfords stuff in my old 1 series, and i had to get it unclogged about 3 times (once under warranty, twice done by myself)

How do you unclog yourself? Think I may have the same issue as one of my jets is a bit weak.

[gaz1234]

Nigel H said:

Agreed £4 per litre. I dilute 1:4 which is ok to -12

There seems to be a concensus that the use of the BM pukka stuff stops the washer tank getting full of slime and blocking the jets.

After 6 years my tank did indeed fill with slime which had to be cleaned out. Since I used the cheapy washer fluid I've now reverted to the BM offical stuff in the hope I don't have a recurrence.

This. Te get blocked

[stuart-b]

Surely you must be able to get washer fluid which isn't "BMW", but has the same properties?

[Billyray911]

The issue of either the jets or covers ejecting themselves is a common issue,when the temperatures drop.
BMW will usually repair or replace only if oem screenwash has been used.They will actually test the screenwash in your vehicle to satisfy any claim.
I made one such claim under warranty,last year,for a jet that wouldn't reset itself.
Last year,I bought the following:
1) 20 litre box of Screenwash part number: 83 12 2 181 283-£40.94

2) Tap for the above-part number:83 19 2 210 467-£2.04
Expensive yes,but compared against the hassle of having to pay for a jet,cover (including painting) and getting these fitted-possibly worth it...

Edited by Billyray911 on Thursday 20th December 00:21

[swanny71]

£15 for 5 litres delivered from BMW Direct on Ebay
Good stuff, used less than half of it in 18 months

[Nigel H]

swanny71 said:

£15 for 5 litres delivered from BMW Direct on Ebay
Good stuff, used less than half of it in 18 months

Is it the real stuff? How would you know if it wasn't?

Its also not THAT much cheaper then buying it direct from BM

[HustleRussell]

Is this a BMW-specific problem because I haven't heard about this happening in newish cars of any other make?
I'm prepared to guess that the problems arise when very cheap or over-diluted screen wash is used, and any decent screenwash of sufficient concentration would work just as well as the BMW stuff.

[stuart-b]

HustleRussell said:

Is this a BMW-specific problem because I haven't heard about this happening in newish cars of any other make?
I'm prepared to guess that the problems arise when very cheap or over-diluted screen wash is used, and any decent screenwash of sufficient concentration would work just as well as the BMW stuff.

I imagine so, I can't see how it's special in anyway - hardly rocket science. Just ensure you have enough concentration to stop it expanding and splitting pipes/etc. Perhaps also good practice to clear it out totally, every now and then, run it to empty, fill with normal water, run it out dry again - flush the system.

[TX1]

The normal stuff you get from Salfords and petrol stations has been pretty useless for me in the past even when used neath it freezes.
I have a Berlingo van which suffers greatly with freezing screenwash, it blows the fuse when you try and use the screenwash if it is frozen.
Now that is a massive fault as how are you supposed to know it is frozen unless you try.
Lets face it £20 a year is nothing compared to the money we spend to service and maintain our BMW's.

[Luca Brasi]

Never used anything else than the cheapest stuff I could find, never caused any problems.