I am not a mechanically inclined person but i have a question regarding brake fluid. How do you know when to change your brake fluid and is it something as easy as an oil change? If it is easy as an oil change what type of brake fluid do you recommend for a 2011 R56 ?? Thanks a lot

 

You know by the calendar. Every other year, change it out. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air, and the water slowly accumulates. It degrades the heat absorption power of the fluid, and it will eventually rust the inside of the brake parts. Not good.

It is changed by pretty much bleeding the brakes until the fluid coming out of the bleeder is new fluid.

 

If you're not 'mechanically inclined' perhaps this is a job best left to someone who is.

 

Luckily the 1st one is covered by MINI. The OBC tells you the date (every 2 years) when to change it.

 

I just got the service warning for the brake fluid flush, it'll be $250 and add another $200 to do a maintenance scope and basically reset the indicator... Am I about to get to get ripped off?

 

Like everybody has said. every 2 years, or before you go to the track.'
BUT DAMN! $250 to do a brake fluid flush?

If your car is out of warranty, why on earth would you take it the most expensive service option? (the dealer?)

 

No you re not getting ripped off.. I think that this is more appropriate:

I paid 15€ for the brake fluid and its installation.

 

Just the $250 wouldn't be that bad. But, $450 total? No thanks. It's easy to do yourself if you have some time. Spend a small fraction of that and get yourself a bleeding kit with the pump that you'll have available for future usage as well. Otherwise, I'd call around to some independent shops to compare and you can reset the indicator yourself.

 

I think $250 for a brake flush is a bit steep unless there is something else wrong woth your system. Almost any shop can do it and the most I have been quoted was $180 at the dealer. The other shop I use charges $80. If you haven't already, go get a second opinion from another shop.

 

This is from the Mini service dept of course, who else would charge that much . There's nothing wrong with my brakes, just time to flush the fluid according to the OBC.

 

So if I'm still under warranty (23,000 miles/3 years 4 months) do I need to take it to or is it recommended I take it to Mini for the flush?

 

I get brake flushes for $125 from an independent BMW/MINI shop.

 

Should be as simple as a phone call. If your dealer will do if for free under warranty take it to the dealer. If not, take it to an independent shop. Having routine maintenance done at another shop does not affect the validity of your dealer warranty.

 

Flushing the brakes is not a warranty item, it is maintenance. At 3 years, 4 months, you are beyond the 36 month included maintenance plan.

 

Thanks, that was my question, whether going to another shop would invalidate my remaining dealer warranty. I'll make some calls...

 

My 2¢:
Typically, I flush the brake system annually and bleed before a trip to the Dragon.
Had MINI do a quick bleed last fall before MSSD.

When considering brand and type of brake fluid to purchase, some things to consider:
Dry boiling point
Wet boiling point
Higher is better.

On previous cars, I used Castrol LMA or Ford Heavy Duty Brake Fluid.
Ford was when I was autocross/racing and if I planned to frequently bleed the system.
Castrol LMA if I was not going to be bleeding on a short time cycle.

Be careful to not max conventional (Dot 3 and DOT 4) and silicone type (DOT 5) fluids.

 

He means DO NOT MIX. Conventional and silicone do not like each other.

 

Or just don't use the silicone crap.

 

Yeah, you're getting taken by the dealership big time. A brake fluid flush is easy, and easier if you have 2 people. If you bleed your own brakes you learn a lot about your vehicle and can do your own inspections. $200 to reset the indicator or computer? Ouch!

If you want to flush your brake fluid yourself and do it every year or so then check out the Motive Power Bleeder...I use it on my FJ and multiple other vehicles including my wife's 2011 MCS, and I'll use it on my Countryman too. It's paid for itself a few times over already.

http://motiveproducts.3dcartstores.com/

/plug

 

So Im taking this back from the dead.
Just got my 3rd mini cooper, previous two were automatic. Since I do like 10 track days a year, first thing to do---to change brake fluid. I took the car to a small shop recenlty open near my house and asked them to do it. They started to pump out the fluid from the resourvouir with a small pumo. My face was like this:

Any way, I let them finish the bleed, but now I hear a very soft but noticeable hiss when the clutch pedal is not enganged. It goes away when I press a litle bit the pedal...

I wonder if i got air in the clutch line...

 

Most definitely you do....

 

Yeah, somehow I knew, I mean it makes sense as its the only thing that changed in the car, and if they took away all the fluid without bleeding the clutch line, it will have air.

Now, whats the physics behind the noise? Why it will make this hiss only above 2k revs and will stop after i press a litle bit the clutch pedal?