Brake Fluid

X

X-S-Z

Member
 Baku, Azerbaijan
Its nearly time for my brake fluid change which I was going to do myself and replace with Mobul MTF 600 as recommended by a few on here. However I wasn't sure of the quantity to buy, assumed it was around 1 litre so was going to get 3 x 500 ml bottles to cover it. Thats going to cost me around £35 and then I'd do the job myself. However I thought I'd give a few BMW specialists a call and see what they charge. My cheapest quote was £30+VAT to put in the BMW spec. DOT 4 stuff but "as its in a pressurised machine" they cannot put in owner supplied fluid so I couldn't go with Mobul. A BMW specialist who will put owner supplied fluid in want an hours labour so around £40 for the job and obviously plus £35 for supplying of the fluid. What are the advantages of going to Mobul MTF 600 or equivalent? I am after a bit more of a firmer brake feel. Are stainless steel/braided lines with BMW spec. fluid a better option?
 
If you want a firmer pedal feel then replacing the brake hoses with braded may help as the standard rubber have a little give in them.

Frankly the fluid won't make a jot of difference other than in the extreme it will resist boiling and therefore fade a little better. Unless you're a track enthusiast save your money.

Of course refreshing the fluid is a great idea anyway as it does deteriorate over time.

I've upgraded my brakes to larger, but throughout kept the oem hoses and fluid and no problems.
 
Agreed with that. I changed the fluid and brake hoses for braided hoses on another member's M, and to be honest the difference in feel is 0. He used to track the car, so from a boiling point of view that would be fine but not for day to day driving.
 
id put the money into pads/discs, go with the standard fluid unless you are going to track it quite hard. i did a track day recently and my pads were the bit that was letting me down rather than fluid (i had a change back in july)
 
What CJ10jeeper said,
changing the fluid will only give a better pedal feel if you haven't bled the system for a long time and there was air in it. Also the better fluid is more for the extreme temperatures you will find on the track (and maybe some downhill spirited runs).
Steel braided brake lines will help with a firmer pedal, but again aren't that noticeable in regular driving. When I changed mine I felt like there was a big difference, but again it could of been because it had been a while since I bled the brakes. On the track though, the steel braided lines immediately become noticeable as you can tell immediately when you start loosing braking power.

Like the others have said, go with pads/discs first and if you plan on tracking it regularly you will probably want to upgrade the fluid, but I'd wait after a track event or two. The stock system does ok on the track though once you get moving faster you'll find you'll have to do something like fast lap fast lap slow lap fast lap in order for the brakes to cool down.
 
OK thanks for the feedback guys. Its just coming to the 2 year period for the brake fluid so I guess it alone being replaced will make a difference. I think from what you all say I'll stick with OEM fluid. As for steel/braided lines I am still undecided.... can anyone recommend any suppliers so I can price things up?
 
X-S-Z said:
OK thanks for the feedback guys. Its just coming to the 2 year period for the brake fluid so I guess it alone being replaced will make a difference. I think from what you all say I'll stick with OEM fluid. As for steel/braided lines I am still undecided.... can anyone recommend any suppliers so I can price things up?
Click to expand...


http://www.zeckhausen.com/BMW/Z4.htm
I believe they ship to the UK.

I can't really help you make a decision on steel braided lines. I felt like there was a difference, but again don't know how much of that was mental and also from the brake fluid getting swapped as well. If your going to track or do some spirited runs mostly going downhill then I'd say get the lines. IMO they aren't that expensive and a good upgrade.
 
I am considering buying these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stainless-Steel-Brake-Lines-Hose-06-07-BMW-E85-Z4-3-0_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2el1262QQhashZitem2c50fa7e92QQitemZ190337154706QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

However I am not sure if I have a vague memory of hearing about Apex brakes or am I thinking of something else? Does anyone have any feedback on them? The price is good but I don't want to be buying and fitting an inferior product, especially involving brakes!
 
gannet said:
I could feel the difference in the pedal when my brake fluid was changed :?
Click to expand...

But that's comparing new fluid against old, the discussion was new 'Brand X' against new 'Brand Y' ;)

Braded hoses do make a difference over OEM rubber hoses, especially on older cars where the lines have done some work over the years.
 
TH3R4POR said:
gannet said:
I could feel the difference in the pedal when my brake fluid was changed :?
Click to expand...

But that's comparing new fluid against old, the discussion was new 'Brand X' against new 'Brand Y' ;)

Braded hoses do make a difference over OEM rubber hoses, especially on older cars where the lines have done some work over the years.
Click to expand...

teach me to skim read when in a rush :oops:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom