How much Brake Fluid in M3

MNm3 · 09-01-2010, 03:06 PM

I'm putting on stainless lines and will probably do a system flush at same time. How much fluid does the M3's system require?

So I know how much to buy.

Mavrick151 · 09-01-2010, 04:41 PM

You should be fine with 2 500ml containers.

JCtx · 09-01-2010, 05:41 PM

Above figure is correct (1-qt) for a full bleed WITHOUT allowing any air in the system. I recently did a full brake and clutch bleed, and one 1-qt bottle was barely enough, but next time should be more than enough (wanted to make sure all assembly impurities were purged the first time). If I had to guess on system volume, I'd say about 1/2-qt, including the reservoir. It's not that much fluid in the system; the reservoir alone is close to 1/4-qt. But takes a lot more than that to purge it from all air.

If I were you, I'd buy 2 1-qt bottles, and start with a reverse flush (meaning fill the system up from the calipers, rather than the reservoir), then do a full bleed the regular way (I use vacuum). It's much more elaborate to start from a dry system than just doing a full bleed. Hopefully you can get some pointers here if a reverse flush is needed, but with complex DSC and ABS systems, it's MUCH better to do it both ways (from calipers up, then from reservoir down) to avoid pesky air pockets, especially without being able to activate the ABS/DSC pump. Good luck man.

BimmerRob08 · 09-02-2010, 05:52 AM

Good to know, I'm also gathering data on this as I'm looking to go with SS brake lines.

by the way, anyone have any instructions on this with pictures, pointers, type of tools needed, etc?

bobbyd1961 · 09-02-2010, 06:02 AM

my car goes in in about a month for a brake fluid change per the service

MNm3 · 09-02-2010, 08:47 AM

Thanks for the advice. This will be my first bleed job on the M. I've done them on older late 80s Porsches and thats it, so we'll see.

Would you guys recommend doing a full flush and bleed job when just adding new lines?

09-01-2010, 03:06 PM	#1
MNm3 Lieutenant 68 Rep 531 Posts Drives: 2009 Le Mans Blue e90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	How much Brake Fluid in M3 I'm putting on stainless lines and will probably do a system flush at same time. How much fluid does the M3's system require? So I know how much to buy. __________________ Gone but not forgotten...2009 E90 Le Mans Blue M3 6MT De-Chromed, Rogue SSK, Brembo BBK, Eibach Pro Kit, Eisenmann Race Black, MS Filter. 1998.5 Titanium Silver E36 M3 Coupe NASA GTS2 Race Car.
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09-01-2010, 04:41 PM	#2
Mavrick151 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: OC CA --> Dallas, TX iTrader: (1)	You should be fine with 2 500ml containers.
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09-01-2010, 05:41 PM	#3
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Above figure is correct (1-qt) for a full bleed WITHOUT allowing any air in the system. I recently did a full brake and clutch bleed, and one 1-qt bottle was barely enough, but next time should be more than enough (wanted to make sure all assembly impurities were purged the first time). If I had to guess on system volume, I'd say about 1/2-qt, including the reservoir. It's not that much fluid in the system; the reservoir alone is close to 1/4-qt. But takes a lot more than that to purge it from all air. If I were you, I'd buy 2 1-qt bottles, and start with a reverse flush (meaning fill the system up from the calipers, rather than the reservoir), then do a full bleed the regular way (I use vacuum). It's much more elaborate to start from a dry system than just doing a full bleed. Hopefully you can get some pointers here if a reverse flush is needed, but with complex DSC and ABS systems, it's MUCH better to do it both ways (from calipers up, then from reservoir down) to avoid pesky air pockets, especially without being able to activate the ABS/DSC pump. Good luck man. Last edited by JCtx; 09-01-2010 at 05:47 PM..
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09-02-2010, 05:52 AM	#4
BimmerRob08 Major 112 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: 2008 M3, Space Gray Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KIKR (ABQ), NM iTrader: (0)	Good to know, I'm also gathering data on this as I'm looking to go with SS brake lines. by the way, anyone have any instructions on this with pictures, pointers, type of tools needed, etc?
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09-02-2010, 06:02 AM	#5
bobbyd1961 Banned 43 Rep 2,406 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 sedan LeMans Blue Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	my car goes in in about a month for a brake fluid change per the service
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09-02-2010, 08:47 AM	#6
MNm3 Lieutenant 68 Rep 531 Posts Drives: 2009 Le Mans Blue e90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the advice. This will be my first bleed job on the M. I've done them on older late 80s Porsches and thats it, so we'll see. Would you guys recommend doing a full flush and bleed job when just adding new lines? __________________ Gone but not forgotten...2009 E90 Le Mans Blue M3 6MT De-Chromed, Rogue SSK, Brembo BBK, Eibach Pro Kit, Eisenmann Race Black, MS Filter. 1998.5 Titanium Silver E36 M3 Coupe NASA GTS2 Race Car.
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