Mini Electric service
Discussion
How often does brake fluid really need changing? I had an Open Manta from new for 9 years and I'm pretty sure the fluid was never changed. Brakes worked fine, shame the car rusted away...
Anyway back on topic, I think the dealers have seen this coming for a while and have stealthy been adding in these items to justify high service costs on EVs that otherwise would need virtually no servicing. Don't see how using brakes less in an EV causes increased contamination of the fluid (which is the reason for replacing).
Anyway back on topic, I think the dealers have seen this coming for a while and have stealthy been adding in these items to justify high service costs on EVs that otherwise would need virtually no servicing. Don't see how using brakes less in an EV causes increased contamination of the fluid (which is the reason for replacing).
Andy86GT said:
How often does brake fluid really need changing? I had an Open Manta from new for 9 years and I'm pretty sure the fluid was never changed. Brakes worked fine, shame the car rusted away...
Anyway back on topic, I think the dealers have seen this coming for a while and have stealthy been adding in these items to justify high service costs on EVs that otherwise would need virtually no servicing. Don't see how using brakes less in an EV causes increased contamination of the fluid (which is the reason for replacing).
As Max Torque says, in the U.K. is doesn’t. Anyway back on topic, I think the dealers have seen this coming for a while and have stealthy been adding in these items to justify high service costs on EVs that otherwise would need virtually no servicing. Don't see how using brakes less in an EV causes increased contamination of the fluid (which is the reason for replacing).
I had a Mondeo 2.5T for 8 years and 90k and did all my own servicing, including checking the moisture content of the brake fluid, <1% over those 8 years.
What I did do on both occasions I changed discs and pads was to crack the bleed nipples and push out fluid when retracting the calipers, has the advantages of slightly fresher fluid at the working end, keeps the bleed nipples free and doesn't force fluid back through the ABS pump.
AlunJ said:
Been curious about the same for my Corsa. Had first one at 8k. Apart from wash it when I told them not to I’m really not sure what they did. Coming up 16k it’s now due another one 
I hate dealers washing cars when I ask not to. FWIW Toyota respect this but others just shrug and say they overlooked the request. Just had my company X1 back from a software fix and as it's not mine I let them wash it. Now all the external gloss black plastic round the windows looks like a Brillo pad was used! 
Megaflow said:
As Max Torque says, in the U.K. is doesn’t.
I had a Mondeo 2.5T for 8 years and 90k and did all my own servicing, including checking the moisture content of the brake fluid, <1% over those 8 years.
What I did do on both occasions I changed discs and pads was to crack the bleed nipples and push out fluid when retracting the calipers, has the advantages of slightly fresher fluid at the working end, keeps the bleed nipples free and doesn't force fluid back through the ABS pump.
Nice car too!I had a Mondeo 2.5T for 8 years and 90k and did all my own servicing, including checking the moisture content of the brake fluid, <1% over those 8 years.
What I did do on both occasions I changed discs and pads was to crack the bleed nipples and push out fluid when retracting the calipers, has the advantages of slightly fresher fluid at the working end, keeps the bleed nipples free and doesn't force fluid back through the ABS pump.
Yup, I did all my own services too back then. To me, if the brakes were not 'spongey' then the fluid was fine
In the time I had the car, I changed discs and pads myself and obviously oil, didn't have a pollen filter of course...or if it did it was never changed
Andy86GT said:
How often does brake fluid really need changing? I had an Open Manta from new for 9 years and I'm pretty sure the fluid was never changed. Brakes worked fine, shame the car rusted away...
Anyway back on topic, I think the dealers have seen this coming for a while and have stealthy been adding in these items to justify high service costs on EVs that otherwise would need virtually no servicing. Don't see how using brakes less in an EV causes increased contamination of the fluid (which is the reason for replacing).
The issue around excessive water content really is unlikely to be an issue for most people, then problem is, when it is, you have a big problem (no brakes!!)Anyway back on topic, I think the dealers have seen this coming for a while and have stealthy been adding in these items to justify high service costs on EVs that otherwise would need virtually no servicing. Don't see how using brakes less in an EV causes increased contamination of the fluid (which is the reason for replacing).
With lots of water in the fluid, any fluid experiencing more than 100degC will result in that water turning to steam, which is (obviously) compressable, and hey ho, no working anchours. is this an issue, do many people get fluid temps above 100degC? (i know i do, but i drive like a tit... ;-)
The secondary issue is long term corrosion due to that water content, but again, modern brake systems are made of very corrosion resistant materials and finishes and modern brake fluid includes corrosion inhibitors, and whilst the water is nicely bound up in the fluid, it doesn't do much corroding anyway.
If you live in a hot, humid country, or live in the mountains or drive a big heavy vehicle that needs a lot of stopping, then yes, regular brake fluid changes are sensible, but in the uk, for most people, nah, waste of time and money really.
It's also worth noting that the coolest and dampest part of the system is the master cylinder resevoir, so a hydrometer check of the fluid in the resevoir is going to give you a worst case result. Modern resevoirs often also include a diaphram style cap that allows expansion / contraction to occur without pulling humid ambient air into the resevoir, so make fluid life even longer
Max_Torque said:
The issue around excessive water content really is unlikely to be an issue for most people, then problem is, when it is, you have a big problem (no brakes!!)
With lots of water in the fluid, any fluid experiencing more than 100degC will result in that water turning to steam, which is (obviously) compressable, and hey ho, no working anchours. is this an issue, do many people get fluid temps above 100degC? (i know i do, but i drive like a tit... ;-)
The secondary issue is long term corrosion due to that water content, but again, modern brake systems are made of very corrosion resistant materials and finishes and modern brake fluid includes corrosion inhibitors, and whilst the water is nicely bound up in the fluid, it doesn't do much corroding anyway.
If you live in a hot, humid country, or live in the mountains or drive a big heavy vehicle that needs a lot of stopping, then yes, regular brake fluid changes are sensible, but in the uk, for most people, nah, waste of time and money really.
It's also worth noting that the coolest and dampest part of the system is the master cylinder resevoir, so a hydrometer check of the fluid in the resevoir is going to give you a worst case result. Modern resevoirs often also include a diaphram style cap that allows expansion / contraction to occur without pulling humid ambient air into the resevoir, so make fluid life even longer
Completely agree with everything here. Of course I wouldn't advocate scrimping on brake maintenance especially on 2 tonne + EVs. It's just that this changing brake fluid every 2 years seams very excessive when, as you rightly say, it could simply be tested. But then of course little revenue in do a quick test .. With lots of water in the fluid, any fluid experiencing more than 100degC will result in that water turning to steam, which is (obviously) compressable, and hey ho, no working anchours. is this an issue, do many people get fluid temps above 100degC? (i know i do, but i drive like a tit... ;-)
The secondary issue is long term corrosion due to that water content, but again, modern brake systems are made of very corrosion resistant materials and finishes and modern brake fluid includes corrosion inhibitors, and whilst the water is nicely bound up in the fluid, it doesn't do much corroding anyway.
If you live in a hot, humid country, or live in the mountains or drive a big heavy vehicle that needs a lot of stopping, then yes, regular brake fluid changes are sensible, but in the uk, for most people, nah, waste of time and money really.
It's also worth noting that the coolest and dampest part of the system is the master cylinder resevoir, so a hydrometer check of the fluid in the resevoir is going to give you a worst case result. Modern resevoirs often also include a diaphram style cap that allows expansion / contraction to occur without pulling humid ambient air into the resevoir, so make fluid life even longer
So it had its service today. I got a lovely video of them shining a lamp under the car to show my tyre wear and brake pad wear that lasted 2.5 mins, and If you view the full report apparently it had an oil service, air and oil fuel filters and plugs all OK . 
So next was to push for the cost breakdown and it was worked out as follows:
Parts
Pollen filter £53
Screen wash £2.65
Brake fluid £10
Total £66.98
Labour came to a £147 to change the brake fluid and microfilter and the use of a very expensive torch on the underside to make a video and apparently check parts my car did not have.
Then there are two mysterious entry's for £20 that I have no idea what it was for, so I presume some fresh electric or fairy dust as a service item.
It would have been quite easy for them to print out a load of stuff about battery life and discharge rates or like to make the service look really technical to the layman, so you would think something clever had been done, but it certainly looks to me that not a lot of thought as been put into this other than make up a service price and hope no one questions it.
So next was to push for the cost breakdown and it was worked out as follows:
Parts
Pollen filter £53
Screen wash £2.65
Brake fluid £10
Total £66.98
Labour came to a £147 to change the brake fluid and microfilter and the use of a very expensive torch on the underside to make a video and apparently check parts my car did not have.
Then there are two mysterious entry's for £20 that I have no idea what it was for, so I presume some fresh electric or fairy dust as a service item.
It would have been quite easy for them to print out a load of stuff about battery life and discharge rates or like to make the service look really technical to the layman, so you would think something clever had been done, but it certainly looks to me that not a lot of thought as been put into this other than make up a service price and hope no one questions it.
blitzracing said:
So it had its service today. I got a lovely video of them shining a lamp under the car to show my tyre wear and brake pad wear that lasted 2.5 mins, and If you view the full report apparently it had an oil service, air and oil fuel filters and plugs all OK .
So next was to push for the cost breakdown and it was worked out as follows:
Parts
Pollen filter £53
Screen wash £2.65
Brake fluid £10
Total £66.98
Labour came to a £147 to change the brake fluid and microfilter and the use of a very expensive torch on the underside to make a video and apparently check parts my car did not have.
Then there are two mysterious entry's for £20 that I have no idea what it was for, so I presume some fresh electric or fairy dust as a service item.
It would have been quite easy for them to print out a load of stuff about battery life and discharge rates or like to make the service look really technical to the layman, so you would think something clever had been done, but it certainly looks to me that not a lot of thought as been put into this other than make up a service price and hope no one questions it.
Don't really get how you're so ok with that? They'd lose my business forever. So next was to push for the cost breakdown and it was worked out as follows:
Parts
Pollen filter £53
Screen wash £2.65
Brake fluid £10
Total £66.98
Labour came to a £147 to change the brake fluid and microfilter and the use of a very expensive torch on the underside to make a video and apparently check parts my car did not have.
Then there are two mysterious entry's for £20 that I have no idea what it was for, so I presume some fresh electric or fairy dust as a service item.
It would have been quite easy for them to print out a load of stuff about battery life and discharge rates or like to make the service look really technical to the layman, so you would think something clever had been done, but it certainly looks to me that not a lot of thought as been put into this other than make up a service price and hope no one questions it.
ZesPak said:
Don't really get how you're so ok with that? They'd lose my business forever.
It depends on the situation and perceived value of dealer only service history.You could get the same quality service for £100 independently. But if you own the car and three years later you're selling it... You just know the none dealer service history will come up and trigger some last minute negotiation. Probably resulting in £500 off the price of the car to get the deal done and whatever savings made on servicing evaporating.
I'm not saying it's right or that the above makes it 'good value', but it's the way it is. It shouldn't be, but it is.
Although in this instance I would definitely question the comments about fuel filter etc, and ask them what portion of the final bill they apportioned to checking none existent items and whether or not they consider the car to be properly serviced by someone who apparently doesn't know what they're looking at. They'd probably sling the owner a £50 voucher just to end the awkward phone call.
ZesPak said:
Don't really get how you're so ok with that? They'd lose my business forever.
Having dug around the bill for what was fairy dust- you get about £40 charged for plugging the car into the OBD and checking for faults that don't exist and the hydraulic fluid was changed even though it clearly did not need it as it showed 0 % water when I tested it pre service as a matter of interest. I'm not taking this rubbish next service- I need to find out if I can get the brake fluid service light turned off if all's well moisture wise without paying stupid money for work that's fabricated and not needed.Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff