BMW screen wash

[Derek Chevalier]

One of my front headlight washer covers has fallen off and BMW tell me it is because I am not using genuine BMW screenwash. They are replacing it FOC this time around but I am wondering the cheapest way to buy the genuine article. My local dealer only sells it in 1 litre - any idea where I can buy the 20 litre from?


http://www.bmw-tradeparts.com/PDF/Why/44_BMWConsum...

Part: 83 12 0 404 499

[northandy]

Bmw cooper malton do the 5 litre containers, not seen a 20 litre for sale anywhere

[belleair302]

What a load of total b****cks!! I have heard some tosh but that takes the biscuit. Would he say that with trading standards next to him or in court!!!

[northandy]

I meant to say op i have read about a lot of problems with bmw blocked washer tanks, ive rarely used the bmw stuff and never had any problems (but we do 30k a year plus in our cars and the screenwash is constantly being filled up)

[Billyray911]

I bought some last year as well,from Sytner Oldbury.Prices were:

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

5 litres was £15.89,so bulk buying = £20.58 saving.
I did have to order and wait for it all to be sent from Germany though.About a week turnaround.

[djglover]

Sorry, total balls. Do you think BMW produce their own fluids? Oil, Anti Freeze, Water, Snake Oil!

[Fox-]

Billyray911 said:

I bought some last year as well,from Sytner Oldbury.Prices were:

1) 20 litre box of Screenwash part number: 83 12 2 181 283-£40.94

That seems hardly any - enough for what, 3 refills then its gone?

[belleair302]

You would be better off buying this....... www.einszett.co.uk/Kristallklar-Premium.php

[Parabola]

belleair302 said:

You would be better off buying this....... www.einszett.co.uk/Kristallklar-Premium.php

I use this too. It's fantastic stuff. Super concentrated in a small bottle, so you can leave it in the map pocket on the back of your seat.

[Soovy]

belleair302 said:

What a load of total b****cks!! I have heard some tosh but that takes the biscuit. Would he say that with trading standards next to him or in court!!!

Armchair lawyers FFS! Trading standards

The reason why you have to use BMW stuff is because it is formulated not to clog fan washer jets - if you use ordinary stuff then they clog. Same with VW and Audi.

[E38Ross]

Fox- said:

Billyray911 said:

I bought some last year as well,from Sytner Oldbury.Prices were:

1) 20 litre box of Screenwash part number: 83 12 2 181 283-£40.94

That seems hardly any - enough for what, 3 refills then its gone?

Maybe if you live in the arctic and need it neat. For the UK 1 litre of the stuff will make 3 litres and still not freeze in winter. It's actually pretty good value and way more concentrate than anything you'll find in halfords. Neat it freezes and -67 iirc!!

[sparks_E39]

I get the Tesco concentrate stuff and dilute as necessary. £3 or thereabouts, no problems with freezing and I've been down as low as -8. I don't do a lot of miles, about 400-500 a month so I don't really use a lot.

[Mr-B]

Soovy said:

Armchair lawyers FFS! Trading standards

The reason why you have to use BMW stuff is because it is formulated not to clog fan washer jets - if you use ordinary stuff then they clog. Same with VW and Audi.

I have never used BMW screenwash, I have never had clogged washer jets.

[bulldog5046]

its not about using BMW screen wash specifically.

I was told when i bought my car to make sure i used screen wash (and had to sign a bit of paper to that effect) as the previous winter all the owners who had just put water in came in complaining the colour coded headlight washer caps had fallen off because the water had expanded and broken them.

[rj1986]

Mr-B said:

I have never used BMW screenwash, I have never had clogged washer jets.

My old 1 series i used some turtle wax or summin else in it.

After 2 years or so, i took it all down and the fileters were covered in an orangle slimey type stuff.

i have also had washer jet fly off (as well as the hoses split flood the car, resulting in about 12-13k of warrenty work) due to it being frozen.
I have read that in proper cold places, like canada, they pretty much have to use screenwash straight.

[///MrSingh]

My washer fluid bottle strainer clogged up and I was told the same by the dealer - to use the BMW fluid. So I did, and about a year later it clogged up again. I don't think it's to do with which fluid you use, but maybe the water?

[MarkwG]

I use either a concentrate or boiled water, or both: using tap allows pond slime to grow, hence the sludge. Not had a problem since, I suspect the BMW stuff has a detergent that will kill any slime, but I suspect that all concentrates do. The one to avoid is washingup liquid: it's too salty & the phosphates encourage growth as well.

[nigelonich]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Derek Chevalier]

Billyray911 said:

I bought some last year as well,from Sytner Oldbury.Prices were:

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

5 litres was £15.89,so bulk buying = £20.58 saving.
I did have to order and wait for it all to be sent from Germany though.About a week turnaround.

Thanks - I will take the park numbers into my dealer and see if they can get it in

[Derek Chevalier]

bulldog5046 said:

its not about using BMW screen wash specifically.

I was told when i bought my car to make sure i used screen wash (and had to sign a bit of paper to that effect) as the previous winter all the owners who had just put water in came in complaining the colour coded headlight washer caps had fallen off because the water had expanded and broken them.

To me it seems like a design fault, but I don't think they will fix mine FOC if it happens again