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      03-02-2021, 07:39 PM   #1
Herschworld
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Break Fluid Service

Sorry new 540i owner! I just bought an 18 xdrive with 23k miles. Haven’t made my first payment yet and got a service notification for break fluid. Seems odd to have this warning so soon, but I also realize BMW uses softer break pads than most manufacturers. Just curious if this is normal.
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      03-30-2021, 04:55 PM   #2
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Yes. It's normal. I have a 2018 540i that has 17,000 miles and I just had the brake fluid done yesterday.
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      10-14-2022, 03:20 AM   #3
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How much brake fluid will I need for a brake fluid flush on a 530e ?
Thanks in advance
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      10-14-2022, 07:23 PM   #4
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Brake fluid is every 2 years, except for the first service which is 3Y.
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      10-14-2022, 11:15 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LogicalApex View Post
Brake fluid is every 2 years, except for the first service which is 3Y.
Thanks
I just got my 2018 and it just rolled over 60k km ..I have no past service records so I'm assuming then, this would be the first 3yr service.
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      11-11-2022, 05:16 PM   #6
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Brake fluid absorbs water (it is not a sealed system as the reservoir is vented). It needs to be changed periodically.

The fluid has nothing to do with the condition of your brake pads. That's a separate issue.
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      11-22-2022, 12:50 AM   #7
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Yup, I change the fluid every 2 years. Its super easy to do. A 2018 should've had the brake fluid changed once or twice already.
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      11-22-2022, 03:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 540iSUP View Post
Yup, I change the fluid every 2 years. Its super easy to do. A 2018 should've had the brake fluid changed once or twice already.
DIY?
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      11-22-2022, 10:52 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mosaud1998 View Post
DIY?
It can be. Motive sells a pressure bleeder that make it simple. I have mine and it's over a decade old, maybe two decades. Works great but I've bled brakes 100 times from so much time on track (before I switched to Castrol SRF fluid, that is). I'm doing the brake bleed in January when it's due. I'll use my Castrol SRF since I have a new bottle on the shelf.

I don't recommend the old two person pump the brakes, hold, loosen the bleeder screw, tighten the bleederscrew, release, repeat method as you can over stroke the master cylinder (that's what she said!).

One thing I like to do after a brake fluid flush is to go find some low traction spots and get full ABS activation. Flushes the ABS system and gets fresh fluid in it.
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      11-23-2022, 05:39 AM   #10
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The Motive device really makes bleeding a DYI project since it doesn't require a second person to pump the brakes. The real back breaker is removing and re-installing four wheels. The other cautioned is corroded bleeder screws especially in areas where road salt is used. These can be broken off in the caliper body and then one is facing a potentially expenisve fix. Like a new caliper.
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      11-23-2022, 11:03 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TEF View Post
The other cautioned is corroded bleeder screws especially in areas where road salt is used. These can be broken off in the caliper body and then one is facing a potentially expenisve fix. Like a new caliper.
Yes, always clean and put penetrating oil on brake bleeder threads if you live in an area where they can corrode.

The company that bought Motive out also sells stainless steel brake bleeder screws, so there are replacements if you ding up the old ones a bit.

Part of the DIY process is buying tools. A good left handed drill bit set and extractor set, as well as thread chaser (not tap and die, thread chaser) set is mandatory in my opinion. Bolts break. Threads get munched. Don't get stuck with a car down on a Sunday b/c you don't have the tools to get yourself out of the "oops".

This looks suspiciously like my Craftsman thread chaser set: Thread Chaser Set

Here is an example of the extractor/left handed drill bit kit I'm referring to: Extractor/Left Handed Drill Bit Kit

I bought a second hand tool truck kit as the quality of the drill bits is the key. I don't recommend an off brand one for this task. Some tools you want to pay a premium for. Mine is a Matco kit and it the drill bits eat wheel studs (think about how hard those are) like butter.
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Last edited by admranger; 02-03-2023 at 09:43 PM..
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      01-08-2023, 08:28 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by admranger View Post
It can be. Motive sells a pressure bleeder that make it simple. I have mine and it's over a decade old, maybe two decades. Works great but I've bled brakes 100 times from so much time on track (before I switched to Castrol SRF fluid, that is). I'm doing the brake bleed in January when it's due. I'll use my Castrol SRF since I have a new bottle on the shelf.

I don't recommend the old two person pump the brakes, hold, loosen the bleeder screw, tighten the bleederscrew, release, repeat method as you can over stroke the master cylinder (that's what she said!).

One thing I like to do after a brake fluid flush is to go find some low traction spots and get full ABS activation. Flushes the ABS system and gets fresh fluid in it.
Which Motive Brake Bleeder do you use? I went to Motive site and they list a Black Label European model 0109.

https://www.motiveproducts.com/collections/brake-bleeder-kits/products/power-bleeders-single-adapter-bleeder-kit-import-adapter-bleeder-kits-power-bleeders-single-adapter-bleeder-kit-domestic-adapter-bleeder-kits-power-bleeders-import-bleeder-kits

Thanks for confirming.
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      01-08-2023, 11:25 AM   #13
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My 2018 is due for bread fluid change also at 44k miles. Dealer quoted $169.
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      01-08-2023, 07:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodders2018 View Post
Which Motive Brake Bleeder do you use? I went to Motive site and they list a Black Label European model 0109.

https://www.motiveproducts.com/colle...t-bleeder-kits

Thanks for confirming.
I bought mine over a decade ago. Sorry.
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      01-12-2023, 12:14 PM   #15
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Gravity bleeds are my favorite.
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      01-12-2023, 06:54 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G30 B58 View Post
Gravity bleeds are my favorite.
I don't have that kind of time on my hands. I'm old.
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      01-12-2023, 07:55 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G30 B58 View Post
Gravity bleeds are my favorite.
Not sure that works with an unenergized ABS pump in the system...
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      02-03-2023, 09:33 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodders2018 View Post
Which Motive Brake Bleeder do you use? I went to Motive site and they list a Black Label European model 0109.

https://www.motiveproducts.com/colle...t-bleeder-kits

Thanks for confirming.
That's the kit I bought and it's awesome. So much better than the old pump and hold the brakes trick.
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      02-12-2023, 09:57 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 540iSUP View Post
That's the kit I bought and it's awesome. So much better than the old pump and hold the brakes trick.
Do any of these kits come with a catch bottle, or sold separately?
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      02-12-2023, 11:19 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrstech View Post
Do any of these kits come with a catch bottle, or sold separately?
Apparently they don't
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      02-14-2023, 11:01 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrstech View Post
Apparently they don't
Just go to Home Depot and buy some clear tubing with a 3/16” ID. They sell multiple sizes, that’s the one that works for the bleed valve on our calipers. Then, drill a 3/16” hole in a plastic water bottle/milk jug/whatever you have lying around.

It’s cheap and you just throw it away when you’re done instead of cleaning, works great. And by throw it away I mean take it to be disposed of properly, don’t just throw it in the trash!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/UDP-3-16...7004/304185167
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      02-14-2023, 11:29 AM   #22
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I brought that Motive brake bleeder from FCP when I had my E90. For some odd reason it wasn't working right or maybe I didn't know how to use it But, I ended up returning it and paid my indy $95~ to do a brake fluid exchange. $95~ every two years? Eh doesn't kill my pockets.
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