Mercedes coolant?

It's not the answer to your question but my research told me Zerex G-05 is the same formula as the Mercedes coolant except only $12.99/gallon at NAPA.

 

I would go with what's been tried, blue.

 

Use the BMW coolant or the Zerex G-05...

 

My BMW dealer wanted an outrageous amount for their coolant so I went with G-05. NAPA was the best price I found.

 

Zerex G 05, is same as Mercedes, use it in my Mercedes, dealer says it's fine to use as well. Just stay away from Dexcool.

 

http://www.mbca.org/sites/default/files/antifreedec04_0.pdf

http://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/downloads/startunedarchive/2013/1306-mbst-antifreeze.pdf

It was yellow/ gold for at least a decade or two. LOL

The reformulated it to blue, which is backwards compatible and replaces the yellow/gold.

It is the best stuff in the industry bar none.

 

Personal communication with shops that know more than most and who I trust:

Algar: Shell premixed , undiluted

Well known shop in CO: BMW

The shell is $65 a gallon from what I can see.

I'm sticking with BMW as I said at the top.

 

haha and why is that?? is Ferrari aluminum different from GM ?? is one bearing in the water pump have a bad break up with Dexcool and now none of them will have anything to do with it?

 

Dexcool doesn't mix with other coolants. It's the sole reason this whole coolant compatibility thing gets confusing.

 

Shell and G-05 are good for use in cars with cylinder liners. And of course Ferrari dealers would recommend Shell. Shell is a Ferrari F1 sponsor.

 

U can use Walmart coolant and your 355 won't notice the difference. Yet one would suddenly blame it on making the 20 year old radiators leak. Hahahahaha

 

Wet liner cavitation is an issue in heavy duty Diesel engines with compression numbers of 300-400 psi and liner wall flexing. They are also present in engines designed for liner replacement that may have "sloppier fit"

Out cars barely get over 200 psi and the liner wall tolerances are such that cylinder wall flexing causing cavitation in the wet liner is a not an issue.

The presence of nitrites in the coolant is not relevant to coolant choice.

From those who know.

 

The big question is how will using Wal-Mart coolant affect the future value of a car. Will a car that has receipts from the Ferrari dealer for the correct coolant be worth more ?please provide your vin number so we can add your car to the list of devalued , improperly maintained cars .

 

Bob, then why does Ferrari recommend Shell? All but their Ultra antifreeze contain nitrites, and all are claimed to provide liner protection. Oh, wait. Shell is an Ferrari F1 sponsor. Did I mention that before? Bigger point. You may or may not need liner protection, but it won't hurt to have it.

 

That wet liner stuff had no basis in out cars. It's az standard that some manufactures have adopted for their products. It is not necessary in these cars. It was adopted for high output Diesel engines.

If it had it great , but liner wall
Cavitation is really pushing it.

 

What happens is the coolant/water begins to boil and "explode" it destroys the outside of the liner. It does happen in Ferraris. You can see what I'm talking about in this link about a 550 engine rebuild. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/393292-550-engine-removal-4.html

 

MERCEDES BENZ, MADE IN GERMANY. YOU KNOW THE GERMANS MAKE GOOD STUFF.

In all seriousness, I have taken apart 10 year old benz motors that never had their coolant changed on all alloy/aluminum blocks/heads m112's , m103's (cast iron block), and there is never a trace of corrosion in those when the benz coolant is used. Start mixing different ones into the car, and then you get some nice sediment and corrosion.

Also, the water you mix with the coolant is honestly equally important. Don't use your hose, invest in quality disilled water. This prevents the corrosion and deposits from minerals naturally in water.

I never tried the shell coolant...maybe ill give it a go next time.

 

.89¢ for a gallon at WalMart.

 

Mercedes used Zerex G-05 for several years but have now switched to a non-nitrite coolant that is essentially Zerex G-48. Non-nitrite coolant tends to last longer than ones with nitrites, but Mercedes, BMW and Porsche engines do not have wet liners, so nitrites are not a concern. Hence their "permanent" coolant that follow-on owners will pay for down the line. The wet liners on Ferraris do require nitrites, Bob, and liner erosion from cavitation is a proven problem on Ferraris.

Here is the data and you can make up your own mind, but I would not be using a coolant not designed for wet liners. Zerex G-05 is an outstanding coolant and is in my Ferrari.
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Thanks for that Terry.

I was told on good authority that cavitation was not an issue on our cars (355s). I do not have hard evidence either way to support or contradict that. I searched and didn't see any mention or documentation of cavitation damage to cylinder liners in 355s. It was an interesting topic to research though.

I'm sure that all of the coolants mentioned will do the job and if changed and checked regularly will work well. I know Brian has gone to recommending yearly coolant changes as well.

 

Terry, thank you for this.

 

Good information guys. Thanks.