I'm getting ready to attempt a brake fluid change on my 2003 530. My Bently manual says to use "DOT 4 brake fluid" for cars manufactured up to 9/1998 and "DOT 4 low viscosity brake fluid" for cars manufactured 9/1998 and later.
I purchased the Ate Super Blue Racing DOT 4 fluid from Bav auto. Does anyone know if this qualifies as a "DOT 4 low viscosity brake fluid"?
I called BAV auto to ask and the salesman said he didn't know anything about a "DOT 4 low viscosity brake fluid". He recommended the standard Ate Super Blue Racing (or the yellow).
Any advice on this issue is appreciated. Thanks.
ATE SL6
Pentosin Dot4 LV
The stuff tain't cheap. Expect to pay $20+ per liter.
Last edited by rf900rkw; 08-04-2010 at 04:49 PM.
/.randy
I autocross and track my car and rely on the Ate Super Blue/Gold for my brakes... I have never had a problem with boiling the fluid... assuming you aren't doing these activities - you may be best served by the Pentosin fluids... they should be less expensive than others out there...
__________________
2006 E46 M3 - 6MT AW/Cinn
2003 E39 540i M-Sport w/ 3.15 LSD
1995 E36 M3 - Track Only
1997 E36 328is - retired
1987 E30 325is - retired
Eric Kaul
BMW CCA Boston Chapter - Member
HotCalls Motorsport - Driver
Follow us at: http://www.facebook.com/HotCallsMotorsport
Thanks for the input. Seems that a lot of guys are ignoring the low-viscosity recommendation given in my Bently manual and are running ATE Super Blue Racing instead of a product like the ATE SL.6.
Interestingly, ATE posts a change interval of up to 3 years for ATE Super Blue Racing and only up to 2 years for SL.6.
I am using my car only for a daily driver. I have no intention of taking it to the track.
But based on the advice given here, I should probably get a couple of cans of the SL.6 (or equiv.) and follow the Bentley recommendation. Anyone disagree?
I'm sure either fluid will work fine during normal operating conditions. It's that 0.00001% situation where the ABS is doing it's thing. The question we can not answer is what would the thicker fluid do. Why did BMW spec out the thinner stuff? Is it better performance at low temperature? Or is it due to the higher cycling frequencies of the Mk20/60 systems? Without good information, the only thing you can conscientiously do is follow the recommendations.
/.randy
three years!!! wow.... I'd change it every 12K if I were you... I change it every 3-5 track days or 6 autocross events..
__________________
2006 E46 M3 - 6MT AW/Cinn
2003 E39 540i M-Sport w/ 3.15 LSD
1995 E36 M3 - Track Only
1997 E36 328is - retired
1987 E30 325is - retired
Eric Kaul
BMW CCA Boston Chapter - Member
HotCalls Motorsport - Driver
Follow us at: http://www.facebook.com/HotCallsMotorsport
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