Brake fluid

imy · 12-07-2016, 11:52 AM

I am changing my pads to the yellow stuff. I may aswell change break fluid and was looking at racing fluid.
Any advantages on using this over normal fluid and any recomendations people can give?

Thanks

mob17 · 12-07-2016, 02:28 PM

I use ATE Type 200 (this used to be ATE Super Blue). Good fluid for road and track

geek · 12-07-2016, 02:43 PM

The advantage of racing fluid over regular is a higher boiling point. If you do a lot of track days with lots of repeated hard braking, the fluid will get really hot. If it boils, you've got no brakes and big problems. If you don't, I wouldn't bother.

I've only done track days on my motorcycles, done a lot of maximum braking, and have never boiled fluid. But it definitely happens, usually with old fluid that has absorbed moisture (and thus had its boiling point dramatically reduced). Flush your fluid often (every couple years is the recommendation), even if you end up using racing fluid.

Here's a bit more info. Good luck.

Dann · 12-07-2016, 02:45 PM

I used to use ATE super blue too.
No complaints and worked well even under prolonged hard breaking

imy · 12-07-2016, 03:53 PM

Thanks for the heads up guys. Much appreciated.

Thermobaric · 12-07-2016, 04:38 PM

Getting braided lines might be more effective for regular driving.

GottWhat · 12-07-2016, 04:40 PM

If your car recommends DOT 3, moving up to DOT 4 will be an upgrade as it has a higher boiling point than DOT 3. It is perfectly safe to use DOT 4 in place of DOT 3 but not recommended to use DOT 3 in place of DOT 4 (they are glycol-based).

Do NOT use DOT 5 unless specifically required by the manufacturer as it is silicone-based and is NOT compatible with DOT 3 & 4.

imy · 12-08-2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thermobaric

Getting braided lines might be more effective for regular driving.

Do braided hoses really do anything though? not wanting to open a tin of worms but reading into this it looks subjective - possibly more of a placebo?

Thermobaric · 12-08-2016, 10:06 AM

No question they improve the pedal feel depending on whether the car comes with upgraded lines from the factory off course. Not without their negative aspects though. Some MOT testers don't like them as you can't inspect the hoses to look for degradation and leaks. I believe they're more susceptible to catastrophic failure too so would have to inspected more regularly than OEM lines.

12-07-2016, 11:52 AM	#1
imy Captain 84 Rep 971 Posts Drives: M140i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: London iTrader: (1)	Brake fluid I am changing my pads to the yellow stuff. I may aswell change break fluid and was looking at racing fluid. Any advantages on using this over normal fluid and any recomendations people can give? Thanks __________________ 2016 M140i 07 E90 335i: JB4, Trebila BEF, BMS DCI, VRSF DPs, Scoops, 19" CSL Reps, 5" ETS FMIC, VTT Inlets, BMS CP, HKS BOV, BMS Meth Injection - sold
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-07-2016, 02:28 PM	#2
mob17 Major General 400 Rep 5,623 Posts Drives: E92 335D Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East Midlands, UK iTrader: (5)	I use ATE Type 200 (this used to be ATE Super Blue). Good fluid for road and track
	Appreciate 1 imy84.00 Quote

12-07-2016, 02:43 PM	#3
geek Enlisted Member 57 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328xi Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Vail, CO iTrader: (0)	The advantage of racing fluid over regular is a higher boiling point. If you do a lot of track days with lots of repeated hard braking, the fluid will get really hot. If it boils, you've got no brakes and big problems. If you don't, I wouldn't bother. I've only done track days on my motorcycles, done a lot of maximum braking, and have never boiled fluid. But it definitely happens, usually with old fluid that has absorbed moisture (and thus had its boiling point dramatically reduced). Flush your fluid often (every couple years is the recommendation), even if you end up using racing fluid. Here's a bit more info. Good luck. Attached Images
	Appreciate 1 imy84.00 Quote

12-07-2016, 02:45 PM	#4
Dann Major 133 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: E90 LCi 335i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Portsmouth, United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I used to use ATE super blue too. No complaints and worked well even under prolonged hard breaking
	Appreciate 1 imy84.00 Quote

12-07-2016, 03:53 PM	#5
imy Captain 84 Rep 971 Posts Drives: M140i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: London iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the heads up guys. Much appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2016, 04:38 PM	#6
Thermobaric Captain 65 Rep 670 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bucks iTrader: (1)	Getting braided lines might be more effective for regular driving.
	Appreciate 1 imy84.00 Quote

12-07-2016, 04:40 PM	#7
GottWhat Lieutenant 196 Rep 458 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i MT Sport Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Shelby Township, MI iTrader: (0)	If your car recommends DOT 3, moving up to DOT 4 will be an upgrade as it has a higher boiling point than DOT 3. It is perfectly safe to use DOT 4 in place of DOT 3 but not recommended to use DOT 3 in place of DOT 4 (they are glycol-based). Do NOT use DOT 5 unless specifically required by the manufacturer as it is silicone-based and is NOT compatible with DOT 3 & 4. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i 6-Speed w/Sport Package (Montego Blue)
	Appreciate 1 imy84.00 Quote

12-08-2016, 10:06 AM	#9
Thermobaric Captain 65 Rep 670 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bucks iTrader: (1)	No question they improve the pedal feel depending on whether the car comes with upgraded lines from the factory off course. Not without their negative aspects though. Some MOT testers don't like them as you can't inspect the hoses to look for degradation and leaks. I believe they're more susceptible to catastrophic failure too so would have to inspected more regularly than OEM lines.
	Appreciate 0 Quote