You are correct.  I did not follow your link.
Not all DexCool coolants are the same. Being DexCool just means the
coolant meets GM's long-life specs for OAT coolant.  Many DexCools are
not silicate free.

But the more important thing is that they all do work based on a low pH
 (Organic *Acid*).  This is especially bad for any cooling systems that
have ferrous metal (cast iron) as any air entrapped in the system will
rust.

Since your into online citations:
http://www.safehydraulics.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?file=MOTORCoolantFea
ture.pdf&folder=brochure#search=%22OAT%20coolant%20BMW%22

Quoting from the above:
"The inhibitor 2-EHA poses another issue: It’s a plasticizer (softens
plastic), so it has been blamed for coolant passage
gasket leakage. Softening (and the resulting distortion) was reported by
Ford, which encountered gasket leakage problems when it tested a
DexCooltype formula on its V8 engines. Ford also saw similar issues with
other gasket materials. That killed the OAT coolant idea for Ford, which
had used a Dex-Cool-like coolant in the ’99 Cougar V6."

BMWs have a lot of plastic in their cooling systems.  BMW does not
recommend OAT Type coolants in their engines, especially the older ones
we are talking about here.

I agree with what you say about it being up to the reader to decide what
advice to take on usenet.  And I was definitely being a bit too harsh in
my questioning your giving advice.  But my advice is NOT to diverge from
the specifications set out already by the manufacturer, and so does not
really require a whole bunch of expert testimony.

That said, I still believe that using OAT coolant in a BMW is a really
bad idea, especially if it's just to save $5, or because it is
convenient to buy.

YMMV

Bill wrote:

...and that's a really bad idea.  Dexcool is an OAT coolant and contains
a large amount of silicates.  Whatever gave you the idea that this was a
good coolant for your BMW?  Or that you should dispense advice about
what coolant to use in other people's BMWs?

--
-Fred W
-----
And it's on...
As usual, Fred, you didn't bother to look at the link I had on my post. If
you DID, then you would have read it contains NO SILICATES. Quote from the
link:
Dex-Cool (ethylene glycol) is identical to the Chrysler & General Motors
factory fill. Havoline had the original patent on Dex-Cool and manufactures
it for GM. The benefits of Dex-Cool are:

 a.. Lower alkalinity
 b.. Contains NO silicates, resulting in longer lasting water pump and
engine seals; longer shelf life.
 c.. It is Nitrite-, borate-, phosphate-, nitrate- and amine-free.
 d.. 100% biodegradable in its pure unused condition.
 e.. Longer lasting (Dex-Cool has been shown to remain above 95% of its
original concentration after 150,000 miles in automobiles)
I only dispense advice based on what I experienced or researched beyond a
reasonable doubt. If someone refutes my info, and I can verify I was
mistaken, then I humbly correct myself and make it available to those I
misinformed. Advice is just that. It's up to the respective owners to use it
or discard it. No warranty implied or offered. Since I see you offering
quite a bit of opinion on this board, what gives you the right? Nothing I've
offered here has been wrong in the years I've been posting.

Bill in Omaha
'86 535i

...and that's a really bad idea.  Dexcool is an OAT coolant and contains
a large amount of silicates.  Whatever gave you the idea that this was a
good coolant for your BMW?  Or that you should dispense advice about
what coolant to use in other people's BMWs?

Well, i had the thermostat changed on my car when it had a check
coolant issue and it kept draining
Original post here:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.bmw/browse_thread/thread/6bff7248a1
b610f6/cbd2697a9b2a3362?lnk=raot#cbd2697a9b2a3362

However, i wanted to know what color the bmw antifreeze is, the stuff
in there is green, and i've read that its supposed to be blue and if it
isnt, its some harmful aluminum engine destroyer.
Any more info about what to put in there and where to get it(yeah i
know i can grab some from bmw) would be great.
-----

I just changed my coolant and used the Texaco-Havoline DEX-COOL Extended
Life. It meets the aluminum radiator issues and is free of the harmful
corrosion stuff. Here's a link:
http://www.getahelmet.com/jeeps/maint/dexcool/

It's also $10/gallon at Wal-mart or any auto parts store.

Bill in Omaha
'86 535i

Well, i had the thermostat changed on my car when it had a check
coolant issue and it kept draining
Original post here:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.bmw/browse_thread/thread/6bff7248a1b610
f6/cbd2697a9b2a3362?lnk=raot#cbd2697a9b2a3362

However, i wanted to know what color the bmw antifreeze is, the stuff
in there is green, and i've read that its supposed to be blue and if it
isnt, its some harmful aluminum engine destroyer.
Any more info about what to put in there and where to get it(yeah i
know i can grab some from bmw) would be great.