[iamjim]

I have been quoted £85.00 and £81.00 + VAT for brake fluid changes at BMW Coopers and Scotthall.

Even an Indy wanted £80.00!

I'm going to do it myself so a few questions for those in the know...

Is the upgrade Brake fluid worth it over the usual standard DOT4?

Anyone have any good 2-man kit recommendations for brake fluid changes?

And finally, how much fluid do I need?

[A335i]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4768

[iamjim]

if I put engine oil in my brake lines i will be tempting a date with death.

[A335i]

no i think you should be alright, go give it a try and tell us how you've got on

Sorry, posted that accidently, thought there would be better DIY's for the e90's, however, the below might be of help.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241217

http://www.bimmerdiy.com/dir/e90

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316236

[willhollin]

Ask the dealer and Indy how they do their brake fluid change.

I believe my dealer just sucked as much out of the reservoir as possible then topped it up. A decent indy might flush the whole system.

1 litre required for a dealer top up, or 3 litres for a full flush.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-742-cast...ake-fluid.aspx

For a few quid extra get the above fluid.

[m1bjr]

A fluid change at a dealer 'should' involve bleeding ALL four corners at the calipers.
Hence the cost.
I had mine done last week, and all four bleed nipples have been opened as they are damp.

Best fluid for daily drivers is Motul RBF600.
But unless you are cooking those calipers (track days or mountain pass roads in EU) then its pointless.
The gains are higher boiling points, nothing else.

[iamjim]

Done.

Used DOT 5.1 in the end on a full flush on all corners. Haynes states in this order:

Right Rear
Left Rear
Front Right
Front left

Used just under 2 litres of DOT 5.1 fluid. And expelled the same. The old fluid is a dirty colour so you could tell straight away when the new fluid had run through. Very Easy. Just remember to keep the resevoir filled up to the max level during the flush

I also now have EBC Vented USR grooved rotors on the front with EBC yellow stuff on all corners (standard EBC vented rotors on the rear).

Much better and not even bedded in yet!

[parapaul]

Originally Posted by Neversaydie

I also now have EBC Vented USR grooved rotors on the front with EBC yellow stuff on all corners (standard EBC vented rotors on the rear).

Much better and not even bedded in yet!

Come back when they're bedded in and let us know what you think? I found normally grooved discs were annoyingly noisy for everyday use, but the USR discs have smaller, individual grooves, don't they?

[m1bjr]

Uprated brakes...
You should have used the Motul RBF600

Its no dearer than 5.1 really, but outperforms it.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Neversaydie

Used just under 2 litres of DOT 5.1 fluid.

Remember DOT 5.1 must be replaced every 12 months as opposed to 2 years for DOT 3 or 4 or 4+

Many good DOT4 exceed DOT5.1 spec where it matters, they might not beat it at -40degc performance, but who cares?

I bought the Millers Racing 300 fluid, a DOT4+ similar to the Motul RBF600.


Opie oils is the place to read all the specs.....

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-450-brake-fluid.aspx

[iamjim]

I fitted the front brakes in haste. I have an MOT this week, brake sensor light came on and EBC only had the uprated rotors in stock so I had to take them.

I have yellow stuff on the rear so only made sense to repeat to the front.

Fluid was an after thought to be honest and well is Halfords premium DOT 5.1 stuff :/

[Will0800]

Just be carefull, different brake fluids other that what the manufacturer use can cause damage to the seals etc in the braking system.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by Will0800

Just be carefull, different brake fluids other that what the manufacturer use can cause damage to the seals etc in the braking system.

The only fluid that will cause this problem are silicon based racing products and are maked as DOT5.

Very uncommon these days and all are clearly marked as for racing applications as well as compatibility.
Nothing to worry about with DOT3 / DOT4 / DOT5.1 etc. as all are misceable.
Dont use DOT5.

[Hotcoupe]

Anyone know what brake fluid the dealers use as normal, or will each dealer vary what's used?

[335iLondon]

Can I resurrect this thread.

I have a brake fluid change due this month, and will be changing out the pad to ebc yellowstuff's at the same time. (all other elements standard)

What oil would you guys recommend?

I had my eye on the below, as it seems a good balance of performance and price.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-862-silk...cing-dot4.aspx

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by 335iLondon

Can I resurrect this thread.

I have a brake fluid change due this month, and will be changing out the pad to ebc yellowstuff's at the same time. (all other elements standard)

What oil would you guys recommend?

I had my eye on the below, as it seems a good balance of performance and price.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-862-silk...cing-dot4.aspx

Motul RBF600 Factory Line is cheaper and has higher wet boiling point.
I have found it excellent on track too, you won't cook it on a road car.


Get a Litre, bleed to nearly empty before filling the reservoir and pull at least 500ml through the four lines in total.
Dont forget to do the clutch too - it's on a the shared reservoir and clutch line seems to get filthy (dirt from the slave cyl seals I guess).