Some members of this forum will strongly suggest OEM fluids only....

 

Didn't mean to suggest otherwise.

I just did the post to clarify the issue because I was tired of seeing people say "I think it's okay"; to me, either it is or it isn't. Generally I'm one of those folks who think it inappropriate to run 87 octane in the car designed for 91 or 93, and I'm also one who can't figure out why some are perfectly happy to dump any old synthetic oil in the crankcase, MB spec or otherwise. That said, I have long trusted Valvoline products, so the fact that they say it meets MB specs (just like 0W40 Mobil1 does for oil) is sufficient for me to trust it.

In all honesty, if it was $23 a gallon like the MB-labeled bottle, I'd probably still use Zerex G-05 because of it's greater availability.

And as I always say, one of the great things about owning a car is maintaining it as you see fit, so I won't criticize anyone who uses either in their car. Now for those who use Prestone....

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

 

Thanks Greg, I've been using G-05 for several years.

MLFUN you mentioned the OEM fluid. Frequently the OEM (original equipment manufacture) and OES (original equipment supplier) are the same company. OE parts as purchased at the Mercedes-Benz parts counter may not be the same as OEM/OES. Manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz, change suppliers. The Valvoline literature states that Mercedes-Benz has approved Zerex G-05 for use in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This is different than simply meeting a manufacturer's spec. Valvoline may be a supplier.

 

The MB fluid comes pre-mixed whereas the Zerex G-05 does not.

When buying the MB fluid, you are essentially paying for 1/2 a jug of water.

I use Zerex G-05 in all my MB's and have for years. It works great, MB approves of it and the price is right.

- Steve

 

1) MB Coolant and Zerex G-05 are identical. Valvoline makes it for MBUSA.

MB Coolant Is Not Pre-Mixed.

 

MB Coolant Is Not Pre-Mixed.

+1 I just refilled using it. If that stuff is premixed they have some nasty water in Montvale, NJ

Regarding the difference in price, my dealer just sold me two gallons for $13.50 apiece. I don't buy my cars new and never have bought one from a dealer, yet this dealer (Rallye Motors) takes care of me and passes a discount to me because I have been a loyal customer.

The decision to buy OEM is a personal one and I agree that maintaining one's vehicle is an extremely personal decision so far be it from me to criticise someone for their decision. I have found however that there is a give and take when it comes to buying OEM. Many times I find M/B prices to be CHEAPER than the price for an equivalent part from the aftermarket. And M/B stands behind their parts. I only buy M/B batteries for example because they are cheaper and have a better guarantee than DieHard or any of the other equivalent suppliers. Again, its a personal decision but I have been treated well by M/B and have not felt I was being price gouged over the long haul.

 

You can pay $23 for a jug of fancy labeled G-05 MB coolant or $10 for a jug of the exact same stuff G-05 coolant. The choice is yours.

 

Mercedes subcontracts OEM consumables. Batteries are/were made by the parent company of Interstate. Hydraulic fluid is by Febi.

 

From the horse's mouth - MB coolant and Zerex ARE NOT IDENTICAL. Here's a post I just made yesterday on another forum.

Len

I had an e-mail exchange with the tech folks at Valvoline that I thought some of you might be interested in reading. The Zerex G-05 and the Mercedes coolant apparently are not identical, but probably close enough for government work.

ME: Is Zerex G-05 identical to the Mercedes branded coolant that I would buy at a dealership? Also, since it seems like AutoZone no longer carries Zerex G-05, where can I find it in my area?

ZEREX: Yes, the Zerex G-05 is the approved coolant for the Mercedez Benz application. Our biggest supplier for the product is Carquest Auto Parts. Other options include Napa, Auto Zone, Advance, O'Reilly's, & Pep Boys. If these places don't carry the product, please just ask them to order it for you.

ME: Thank you for your reply. Is the Zerex G-05 identical to the Mercedes branded coolant? Earlier this year there was a rebate on the purchase of the Zerex G-05. Are there any plans for a repeat of that promotion in the works?

ZEREX: It is not IDENTICAL, but the Mercedez formulation and Zerex G-05 are 100% compatible. I am not sure about promotions. Please give our hotline a call at 1-800 TEAM VAL and ask for promotions for this information.

 

+1 I just refilled using it. If that stuff is premixed they have some nasty water in Montvale, NJ

Well, Jersey isn't known for it's pristine qualities in -- anything, much less water, so...

Regarding the difference in price, my dealer just sold me two gallons for $13.50 apiece. I don't buy my cars new and never have bought one from a dealer, yet this dealer (Rallye Motors) takes care of me and passes a discount to me because I have been a loyal customer.

You have an outstanding dealer. Mine wanted to charge me $29 (plus a shipping charge) for the console tools. I did get a decent discount on a voltage regulator from a different local dealer, a bit harder to get to but when I need a dealer part on short notice that is where I go.

The decision to buy OEM is a personal one and I agree that maintaining one's vehicle is an extremely personal decision so far be it from me to criticize someone for their decision. I have found however that there is a give and take when it comes to buying OEM. Again, its a personal decision but I have been treated well by M/B and have not felt I was being price gouged over the long haul.

I think if I had your dealer nearby I'd probably feel exactly the same way about dealer parts.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

 

Well, Jersey isn't known for it's pristine qualities in -- anything, much less water, so... Greg

Reminds me of an old joke:

Question:
Why are there more toxic waste sites in NJ than there are attorneys in Washington DC?
Answer:
NJ got first pick.

 

The MB dealerships here in Vancouver, Canada certainly do sell jugs of pre-mixed coolant!

- Steve

 

What are they charging for the dilution?

 

I believe it is around $18 CDN last I checked, same size as the other MB bottle above.

- Steve

 

My E55 runs on Mobil1 and Z G-05 :thumbsup:

 

So .... Zerex is not identical to MB fluid.

Any responses from "MB only fluid" members of this forum ?
It's time to stand up and speak.

 

OEM for me!

So .... Zerex is not identical to MB fluid.
Any responses from "MB only fluid" members of this forum ?
It's time to stand up and speak.

I'll only use the MB-labelled coolant for as long as I own this car, and in any other MB models.

 

Just a bit more coolant trivia:

G 05 is a trademark designation of the BASF company. It refers to their formulation for a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolant. The "G" is for Glysantin, which is ethylene glycol and an individually developed anti-corrosion package, which for the 05 designation is a nitrite.

The G 05 BASF formula also meets the specifications of Chrysler, John Deere, Leyland, and Ford. In addition to the G 05, BASF's G 30 and G 40 also meet other Mercedes specifications.

G 05 was first used by Mercedes in the 1980's in Europe. Valvoline, around 2000, began producing Zerex G-05, using the BASF formula.

 

can they be mixed...in other words could you "top off" using the Zerex while there is OE in the car...? i need to replace my thermostat...

 

That's what above Zerex quote
"Mercedez formulation and Zerex G-05 are 100% compatible"
do indicate.

 

I have more than 10 years till my recommended fluid change on my newest ride and I am not really worry about older beasts. For one gas engine in the past I got OEM fluid at discount. For diesels I usually use LIFETIME coolant from FleetPride. They are heavy trucking and equipment people who know the trade.

 

I have MB coolant in my Ford f-350, my Gimmy and the boat. The fact that I got it for free doesn't have any weight in the decision making.....really
Bill

 

I have MB coolant in my F350, my GMC and the boat. The fact that I got it for free had nothing to do with my choice...... trust me
Bill

 

The coolant that MB supplies protects there own interests as they also warrant the quite expensive engines they fit in their cars. Hence the stuffs gotta be good. I wouldn't go 15 years between exchanges, especially where your at but I wouldn't use anything else.
Bill

 

This is the first I've ever heard of "the overflow tank includes a pack of chemicals" when new.
I didn't plan to keep it for 15 years but that means that the coolant change would also mean a lesser time for the following change. I don't follow that??

Do all new MB's start with a 15 year coolant run............ and then what?

 

Motor coolant

According to my Made in Germany W204 C350 Assist Plus maintenance schedule the motor coolant should be changed every 250,000 Km (156,000 miles), or 15 years.
Coming from MB that's cool.

 

According to my Made in Germany W204 C350 Assist Plus maintenance schedule the motor coolant should be changed every 250,000 Km (156,000 miles), or 15 years.
Coming from MB that's cool.

That's only on the newer cars that have the packet of chemicals in the cooling system. Otherwise it's every three years.

Len

 

My understanding is that the packet is basically "silica gel" with a timer to release it into the cooling system to "recharge" the lost silicates.

 

Where can Zerex G-05 coolant be purchased at? Any local auto shop?

 

Call a few. Around here Pep Boys, Napa, a few others carry it.

If you have a stealer close by call them and see what they charge for it; some are pretty reasonable, some are, well, stealers.

 

If you can't find Zerex brand G-05, be aware that Ford Motorcaft Premium Gold Engine Coolant With Bittering Agent is G-05. Same stuff and same color as the Zerex. Can be found for ~$14/gallon concentrate at any Ford dealership.

Although not required as part of a service B, I just put this in my mother's 2001 E320. Going through her records I can't find any mention that the coolant was ever changed out, but as the car is 9 years old with 65,000 I thought it a good idea to change it out. Drained 8 quarts of dark blue/green coolant out (capacity is a bit more than 10 quarts IIRC). I do not know if these cars came with blue coolant initially, my guess is that it had the standard yellow G-05 from the factory, and the dealer changed the coolant to the blue colored (G-48? some BMW coolant?) at some point which is why it drained as dark blue/green. The 8 quarts of yellow G-05 make the coolant mixed with the residual blue coolant a very light green. As I have more G-05, I'll drain/refill it again to get a nice yellow color to eliminate confusion with conventional green coolant in the future should anyone else besides me look at it.

Rumple

 

I am not trying to deflate the balloon, but the Zerex 05, as well as the Zerex 48, are listed in full compliance by MB BeVo under MB spec 325.0.

Regarding the Silica Gel Pack, my 2009 C350 manufactured in Sindelfingen in April 2008 carries it in the refrigerant reservoir. The User's Manual indicates that the antifreeze 50% solution lasts for 250,000 Km (156,000 miles), and the gel pack is very slow release and lasts further longer.