E46 M3 brake fluid change

[youdsy]

Hi all,

the brake indicator light has just lit up on the dashboard so i am in need of a brake fluid change. i have owned the car for 2 years now and i havent changed it in that time so it is overdue for a change.

I was going to attempt to change the fluid myself as it isnt a overly complicated job but not too sure whether i should stick with the OEM fluid or upgrade to something else. Any Suggestions as to what? standard OEM brake system is on the car at the mo!

Also read that the clutch shares the same hydraulic system and that if i change the brake fluid i also need to bleed the clutch system, is this the case and if so shall i attempt to do this myself or take it to BMW to carry out the work? Any suggestions on how much a dealer would charge for such work?

thanks in advance.

[E30M3SE]

I believe that the brake fluid change interval on these cars is every 2 years regardless of mileage, so if you have had the car 2 years and it has not been doe it is either due or over due, not sure what light coming on you are referring to as there is no brake fluid change light that I am aware of.

The clutch cylinder should be bleed through at the same time, assuming your car is not a SMGII car.

It is an easy enough job, I would use a quality DOT4 fluid, if you track the car then Cstrol SRF would be my choice of fluid, but if it just road use your car gets then this should be fine, you will probably need the full litre.
Something else you might want to purchase is a flare nut spanner IIRC the nipples are 7mm, (although I could be wrong on this size).

You may want to buy a pressure bleeder as well to simplify the whole process.


If you do not know what you are doing the give it to someone who does.

HTH

Edited by E30M3SE on Tuesday 28th June 14:05

[sjj84]

E30M3SE said:

I believe that the brake fluid change interval on these cars is every 2 years regardless of mileage, so if you have had the car 2 years and it has not been doe it is either due or over due, not sure what light coming on you are referring to as there is no brake fluid change light that I am aware of.

A clock symbol comes on above the milage to service countdown when you turn the car on indicating it needs doing. If you press one of the buttons in the dial binncale, I think it's the one on the right, it gives you a date of when it's due.

[E30M3SE]

sjj84 said:

A clock symbol comes on above the milage to service countdown when you turn the car on indicating it needs doing. If you press one of the buttons in the dial binncale, I think it's the one on the right, it gives you a date of when it's due.

Got ya, on rereading the op's post that is what he is saying, initially I though he was on about the brake fluid light had come on, which usully means it is low on brake fluid.