Using BMW Washer Fluid - is there any point?
Using BMW Washer Fluid - is there any point?
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Discussion

Deviation

Original Poster:

93 posts

21 months

Yesterday (14:56)
quotequote all
We’ve all seen the various discussions about needing to use the BMW washer fluid in a BMW.

If you’re unsure why, it’s due to the low/0 silicone in their washer fluid - the silicone can clog up the filters. I’m sure some of you have experienced this in the past.



Well, when I purchased my 3 series from BMW late last year as an AUC with a year warranty, I was again advised to use BMW screen wash for the aforementioned reason, at a cost of £25 ish pounds for 5L (can be diluted).


Given this is my 4th BMW, I knew the drill and already had a bottle of it at home from my last 3 series.


When my washer fluid system got clogged, I thought “no worries, I use their official one as per their suggestions, and it’s under warranty”. I call up my local dealership, advise them it’s clogged and queue the question “which washer fluid do you use?”

“The BMW one”
“Great, some people use cheap petrol station ones, so I’ll get it booked in for you”



Imagine my surprise when I get a call telling me that I need to pay £252 for an hour labour to clean it out.




Despite numerous conversations and a complaint to BMW HQ in Farnborough, I’ve basically been told “sorry it’s wear and tear”, along with reasons why it must be my fault and not because they have a poor product/designed for failure. In the next sentence, they’re asking me for the £700 for the service I booked it in for.




To say I’m disappointed, having been a loyal BMW customer since my second vehicle, would be an understatement.



I recognise it’s wear and tear (though I’ve never experienced this in any other brand of vehicle), but I’d always been lead to believe that by buying the proper BMW fluid and purchasing an AUC, I’d be good to go in the event of any issues.



But the purpose of this post is to evidence to those with BMWs that there is no value whatsoever in paying extra for the BMW washer fluid - you may as well get Prestone or any other silicone free fluid.

blueg33

42,164 posts

241 months

Yesterday (15:31)
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I’ve only ever had washers clogging with BMW’s everything else is fine.

Stick Legs

7,633 posts

182 months

Yesterday (15:40)
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FWIW I used to use Shell’s in my BMW’s & it was fine.

But honestly it’s a monumental st show that a company famed for their engineering prowess can’t design a washer system that works with the majority of products on the market.

danb79

12,010 posts

89 months

Yesterday (15:47)
quotequote all
Stick to one brand and it's fine. Mix the and that's when issues happen

All in BMWs own fluid at c£25 for 5l is good value, it works well and lasts a long time, even through winter etc

g3org3y

21,671 posts

208 months

Yesterday (15:53)
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That's annoying. FWIW I use the BMW stuff nowadays.

The only clogging issue I had was on my old E46 330Ci though that issue was evident on purchase. Fortunately it had an accessible washer bottle (none of this in the arch nonsense!)

Wacky Racer

39,993 posts

264 months

Yesterday (15:56)
quotequote all
£252 an hour?

wtf?

RammyMP

7,307 posts

170 months

Yesterday (16:18)
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Can you unclog it yourself? How’s it done, can you flush out the tank?

E-bmw

11,256 posts

169 months

Yesterday (16:28)
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blueg33 said:
I’ve only ever had washers clogging with BMW’s everything else is fine.
So are BMWs unless you mix genuine fluid & generic brand fluid, it is the mix that is the issue, the easy way round it if you insist on swapping is to fully run dry, flush with water then use the fluid of your choice.

danb79

12,010 posts

89 months

Yesterday (17:02)
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RammyMP said:
Can you unclog it yourself? How’s it done, can you flush out the tank?
More modern BMWs it's a wheel off, wheel arch liner off and tank out job (fitted to inside the wing cavity)

Very doable DIY, just a bit faffy

Deviation

Original Poster:

93 posts

21 months

Yesterday (17:27)
quotequote all
Have never personally mixed it with another product, and part of my new car purchase routine is to empty the washer fluid tank, wash through with warm water and top up with new washer fluid.


But yes Group 1 charge £252 per hour of labour, which is actually more than my local Porsche Centre. Laughable really.



Edit: the BMW one doesn’t seem good value really when Prestone do 5L for £7 at Costco which dilutes at the same ratio as the BMW one (and is also blue).

blueg33

42,164 posts

241 months

Yesterday (17:29)
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I’ve only ever had washers clogging with BMW’s everything else is fine.

RustyNissanPrairie

296 posts

12 months

Yesterday (18:43)
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{makes mental note not to bother buying a BMW}

g3org3y

21,671 posts

208 months

Yesterday (19:20)
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Deviation said:
Have never personally mixed it with another product, and part of my new car purchase routine is to empty the washer fluid tank, wash through with warm water and top up with new washer fluid.


But yes Group 1 charge £252 per hour of labour, which is actually more than my local Porsche Centre. Laughable really.



Edit: the BMW one doesn’t seem good value really when Prestone do 5L for £7 at Costco which dilutes at the same ratio as the BMW one (and is also blue).
eek

Boxstercol

244 posts

150 months

Yesterday (19:34)
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Is Prestone ok to use?

Mr Tidy

27,376 posts

144 months

Yesterday (20:50)
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I've had to clean algae off the filters on an E46 and two E86s and only ever used Prestone fluid in them all with no issues in years.

I just keep using BMW fluid in my E90 and praying it doesn't get a blockage as it's behind the wheel-arch liner. redface

E-bmw

11,256 posts

169 months

Boxstercol said:
Is Prestone ok to use?
Absolutely anything is OK to use if you empty/flush the reservoir & jets through first.

930gaz

239 posts

222 months

RammyMP said:
Can you unclog it yourself? How’s it done, can you flush out the tank?
Yes you can, it’s not a bad job right wing plastic out a few bolts and it’s out, the hardest part was disconnecting the filler neck tube.
Pop the filters out a good clean and run clean water through, job done
I did some time ago on 2010 and 2014 model.
Can’t see it been much different on a newer model

McGee_22

7,567 posts

196 months

Just stick to one brand and you don’t get any issues. I put the purple Halfords stuff in my wife’s F33 and use the Rain-X stuff in all the others. You can’t use the Rain-X stuff in the F33 era cars as it plays buggery with the level sensor.

ThingsBehindTheSun

2,263 posts

48 months

Wacky Racer said:
£252 an hour?

wtf?
£252 for the 18 year old YTS boy to break the clips holding on the inner wheel arch and scratch the wing, only for the dealer to deny they did it and claim it was already like that.


blueg33

42,164 posts

241 months

Wacky Racer said:
£252 an hour?

wtf?
I don’t pay that for Ferrari servicing!