[boba7523]

Hi guys, wondering if this is the OEM brake fluid that came with the BMW M2C 2NH brakes? Thank you!

Boiling Points:

Dry: 446*F
Wet: 311*F

[Lbsigman]

Any DOT 4 fluids must meet those minimum specs. Here's the NHTSA's paper on brake fluids, specifically look at section 5.1.1: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-4...ection-571.116

Just as a reference, I recently took my 2020 to Sterling BMW for scheduled service for warranty purposes. Part of the service was the brake fluid and they used Justice Brother's DOT 4 brake fluid.

[///MPhatic]

Got mine right from Amazon. DOT4, SL.6. It's what most guys use.

https://www.amazon.com/ATE-706402-Or...05&sr=8-1&th=1

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Lbsigman

Any DOT 4 fluids must meet those minimum specs. Here's the NHTSA's paper on brake fluids, specifically look at section 5.1.1: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-4...ection-571.116

Just as a reference, I recently took my 2020 to Sterling BMW for scheduled service for warranty purposes. Part of the service was the brake fluid and they used Justice Brother's DOT 4 brake fluid.

BMW uses DOT4 LV, not regular viscosity DOT4. The low viscosity is for improved ABS actuation.

[Lbsigman]

Originally Posted by chris719

BMW uses DOT4 LV, not regular viscosity DOT4. The low viscosity is for improved ABS actuation.

Sure, that is correct, but the OP is referring to wet and dry boiling temps, regardless if it's LV or not, they still need to meet "DOT4" specs. Shoot, even the cap only says DOT4. Plus, it doesn't stop people from using racing brake fluids, which most are all DOT4 (non-LV) spec'd anyways.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by chris719

BMW uses DOT4 LV, not regular viscosity DOT4. The low viscosity is for improved ABS actuation.

Dot 4 LV is for colder climates so the ABS doesn't get sluggish, so if you don't drive in the winter it should be fine to move to DOT 4. Even if you drive in the winter I don't believe the delta is too too big that there will be an issue, I remember talking to edycol about this last year and he said he ran DOT 4 even in the winter on his car.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by F87source

Dot 4 LV is for colder climates so the ABS doesn't get sluggish, so if you don't drive in the winter it should be fine to move to DOT 4. Even if you drive in the winter I don't believe the delta is too too big that there will be an issue, I remember talking to edycol about this last year and he said he ran DOT 4 even in the winter on his car.

Yep, I run regular DOT4 in all vehicles. DOT4 is generally more versatile. If car is driven just on street, regardless how hard, LV would cut it. But any track time, regular is better.
I drive all vehicles in winter, ski, temperatures-20 to 60 (Colorado has wild temperature oscillation) and never has issues.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by F87source

Dot 4 LV is for colder climates so the ABS doesn't get sluggish, so if you don't drive in the winter it should be fine to move to DOT 4. Even if you drive in the winter I don't believe the delta is too too big that there will be an issue, I remember talking to edycol about this last year and he said he ran DOT 4 even in the winter on his car.

I would run DOT 4 LV or DOT 5.1 on the street. The viscosity of DOT 4 below freezing is typically approaching double that of DOT 4 LV. If you are doing track work then sure, just run your preferred fluid, but the ABS system is designed for a lower viscosity and I've felt the difference in other BMWs.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by chris719

I would run DOT 4 LV or DOT 5.1 on the street. The viscosity of DOT 4 below freezing is typically approaching double that of DOT 4 LV. If you are doing track work then sure, just run your preferred fluid, but the ABS system is designed for a lower viscosity and I've felt the difference in other BMWs.

Personally I only run my car in the summer when the temps are above freezing so I should be fine. Also the dsc/abs module is in then engine bay and should be warmed up by the engine heat meaning the fluid inside shouldnhe warm enough that the abs/dsc module valves are able to respond as quick as they need to.

Plus dot 4 brings in fluid with a higher working temp which is nice when you want to do autox, light track, and street useage on a single fluid. It saves the pain of flushing fluid all the time.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by chris719

I would run DOT 4 LV or DOT 5.1 on the street. The viscosity of DOT 4 below freezing is typically approaching double that of DOT 4 LV. If you are doing track work then sure, just run your preferred fluid, but the ABS system is designed for a lower viscosity and I've felt the difference in other BMWs.

Chris you might be into something, apparently on the f8x master cylinder some people found are typ200 to cause it to squeak: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1843543

So probably best to daily it on dot 4 lv just to be careful, because it isn't a quiet squeak that can be ignored, its a loud annoying squeak.

Well guess my 4 jugs of ate will have to be sold lol...

[chris719]

Originally Posted by F87source

Chris you might be into something, apparently on the f8x master cylinder some people found are typ200 to cause it to squeak: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1843543

So probably best to daily it on dot 4 lv just to be careful, because it isn't a quiet squeak that can be ignored, its a loud annoying squeak.

Well guess my 4 jugs of ate will have to be sold lol...

Motul or ATE DOT 5.1 might be a good option for slightly better boiling temps with still low viscosity although a tad bit thicker. Can’t go wrong with ATE SL6. It’s unclear to me if DOT 5.1 is more or less hygroscopic than DOT 4 LV fluids to any meaningful amount. ATE seems to think DOT 5.1 basically supersedes DOT 4 LV.

https://www.ate-brakes.com/products/brake-fluids/

Actually the Bosch ESI6 is the best street option on paper. Seems to be a tweaked / slightly improved ATE 5.1.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Lbsigman

Sure, that is correct, but the OP is referring to wet and dry boiling temps, regardless if it's LV or not, they still need to meet "DOT4" specs. Shoot, even the cap only says DOT4. Plus, it doesn't stop people from using racing brake fluids, which most are all DOT4 (non-LV) spec'd anyways.

BMW specifies DOT 4 Class 6. Not sure the cap is that important. The cap for engine oil also says different things for different years of S55 and not the actual spec.

https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/s...luids-are-here

[F87source]

Originally Posted by chris719

Motul or ATE DOT 5.1 might be a good option for slightly better boiling temps with still low viscosity although a tad bit thicker. Can’t go wrong with ATE SL6. It’s unclear to me if DOT 5.1 is more or less hygroscopic than DOT 4 LV fluids to any meaningful amount. ATE seems to think DOT 5.1 basically supersedes DOT 4 LV.

https://www.ate-brakes.com/products/brake-fluids/

I'll probably pick up some sl6 (was just looking at it on fcp euro) or even pentosin dot 4 lv which is the stock stuff. But very interesting info, I'll have to read up on it.

It's strange though, for some reason I only have heard of this issue on ate typ200, nothing else causes the squeak from what I'm reading. Pretty annoying but what can you do, plus side is it's only with ate typ200, so you're still able to use other dot 4 fluids for the track.

Hope I can sell my ate stock, it wasnt really cheap buying it and shipping it to Canada lol.

Edit - sold it to a vw owner, pretty much sold it for nothing lol.

[ericold]

i use ATE or BMW OEM brake fluids but never had a problem.i talk with plenty bmw owners who use ATE brake fluids and never had such a problem.
from what i read its not an ATE thing but a PORSCHE thing.

[ggggbmw]

For standard fluid I use Pentosin LV. I can get a liter at any Autozone store for ~$16.

Since I daily my car through frigid Minnesota winters, I put LV fluid in every fall, along with an ABS cycle. It might not make a huge difference from track fluid, but if I'm driving on ice, I want the ABS/DSC to work as well as it possibly can.

Then, in the spring, I put in the Castrol SRF when I put the track pads on, and I'm good for the summer. Since SRF should really be flushed every year this keeps me on a good schedule.

Am I diluting the SRF with residual LV? I'm sure I am. But not enough that it is affecting the calipers which get full flow when flushed. And SRF is fully miscible with standard DOT 4 fluid, so I don't worry about the minimal mixing going on. I also make sure to drain as much fluid from the reservoir as I can between fluids to keep mixing to a minimum. Have a long skinny tube on the end of syringe to get deep in there. (And don't forget to refill the reservoir with new stuff before bleeding! )

[F87source]

Originally Posted by ggggbmw

For standard fluid I use Pentosin LV. I can get a liter at any Autozone store for ~$16.

Since I daily my car through frigid Minnesota winters, I put LV fluid in every fall, along with an ABS cycle. It might not make a huge difference from track fluid, but if I'm driving on ice, I want the ABS/DSC to work as well as it possibly can.

Then, in the spring, I put in the Castrol SRF when I put the track pads on, and I'm good for the summer. Since SRF should really be flushed every year this keeps me on a good schedule.

Am I diluting the SRF with residual LV? I'm sure I am. But not enough that it is affecting the calipers which get full flow when flushed. And SRF is fully miscible with standard DOT 4 fluid, so I don't worry about the minimal mixing going on. I also make sure to drain as much fluid from the reservoir as I can between fluids to keep mixing to a minimum. Have a long skinny tube on the end of syringe to get deep in there. (And don't forget to refill the reservoir with new stuff before bleeding! )

It's probably a really good thing you're flushing with normal fluid every year since srf is hydrophobic and if you're only using that fluid you'll eventually accumulate water in your braking system which is really bad.

[Track/S]

Is there also a discussion with the brake fluid?
I see it this way, for street driving the fluid recommended by BMW dot4 LV, for more aggressive driving Motul rbf700, changing it every year.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Track/S

Is there also a discussion with the brake fluid?
I see it this way, for street driving the fluid recommended by BMW dot4 LV, for more aggressive driving Motul rbf700, changing it every year.

A small discussion I guess, turns out some dot 4's on some cars have issues. Some develop a squeaky pedal some don't.

I didn't know motul had rbf 700, interesting!

[Track/S]

Originally Posted by F87source

A small discussion I guess, turns out some dot 4's on some cars have issues. Some develop a squeaky pedal some don't.

I didn't know motul had rbf 700, interesting!

I had read a post about the typ200 and squeaky pedal, I tried it on my f87 without issue, shortly after I changed to rbf700

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Track/S

I had read a post about the typ200 and squeaky pedal, I tried it on my f87 without issue, shortly after I changed to rbf700

Yeah it seems to happen on some cars. Not sure why or how.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Track/S

Is there also a discussion with the brake fluid?
I see it this way, for street driving the fluid recommended by BMW dot4 LV, for more aggressive driving Motul rbf700, changing it every year.

Yep. This seems like the best approach.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by chris719

Yep. This seems like the best approach.

+1

I agree this is probably the best way to do things. It's more work and money switching back and forth, but atleast you don't have to ever worry about the potential of getting a squeaky pedal.