Brake fluid and other service items.

[chris-w]

I am just about to cancel my dealership service as they want £1000 for an oil change, micro filter, front pads and brake fluid.

I know this might not seem like much but I cant get my head around £400 of the bill being the oild change when I can get the oil (Edge 0-W40) and genuine oil filter for £100 !?

Anyway does anyone know what brake fluid would be best, I have been offered dot 5.1 by several retailers saying its the righgt stuff but I am looking at this Castrol React Performance Dot 4 Fully Synthetic Car Brake Fluid.

Any help greatly appreciated. Also suggestions for front pads that are as good as OEM but not £400!? for front pads...

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by chris-w

I am just about to cancel my dealership service as they want £1000 for an oil change, micro filter, front pads and brake fluid.

I know this might not seem like much but I cant get my head around £400 of the bill being the oild change when I can get the oil (Edge 0-W40) and genuine oil filter for £100 !?

Anyway does anyone know what brake fluid would be best, I have been offered dot 5.1 by several retailers saying its the righgt stuff but I am looking at this Castrol React Performance Dot 4 Fully Synthetic Car Brake Fluid.

Any help greatly appreciated. Also suggestions for front pads that are as good as OEM but not £400!? for front pads...

I purchased trw front pads on eBay for a steal price at 65£ with sensor wire though was lucky as was trawling around for a bit.The mintex ones are around £70 without cable though don't know how they'll perform as they are the cheapest.I'd make an offer for the trw ones there that are for around £199 and see what they say.BMW ones are £££ as you know and make sacks of brake dust.
Stick to dot 4 synthetic ,dot 5? might be good for track but maybe not for road.

[SapphireM5]

I'm sure you are going to get a ton of opinions but for me, I flushed mine with BMW brake fluid, nothing crazy. I do not track my car, fine for what I use the car for.

[OneExtra]

I would expect to pay £250 for an oil change and £70 for a brake fluid change at a fair main dealer. Pads are expensive but if you can find a dealer who will let you supply your own parts then you can buy parts from Alex at Cotswold BMW in Cheltenham

I paid £108 for oil and a filter and then £38 Labour to change it. I got discs and pads for the front for £800

In London you tend to get robbed

[chris-w]

Originally Posted by OneExtra

I would expect to pay £250 for an oil change and £70 for a brake fluid change at a fair main dealer. Pads are expensive but if you can find a dealer who will let you supply your own parts then you can buy parts from Alex at Cotswold BMW in Cheltenham

I paid £108 for oil and a filter and then £38 Labour to change it. I got discs and pads for the front for £800

In London you tend to get robbed

I just bought Castrol Edge 0W-40 (9 litres) for the oil change and Castrol react performance DOT4 (2 liters) for the brake fluid. All in under £100 from Opie oils. £150 in BMW original parts (oil filter, engine filters and micro-filter)

Taking it to a specialist in London on tuesday and £300 labour to change the lot. So £550 not the end of the world.

I do this more these days as I've just seen so many dealers cutting corners and using close but not quite the right oils. Better for me to buy all the consumables and give them to the mechanic.

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by chris-w

I just bought Castrol Edge 0W-40 (9 litres) for the oil change and Castrol react performance DOT4 (2 liters) for the brake fluid. All in under £100 from Opie oils. £150 in BMW original parts (oil filter, engine filters and micro-filter)

Taking it to a specialist in London on tuesday and £300 labour to change the lot. So £550 not the end of the world.

I do this more these days as I've just seen so many dealers cutting corners and using close but not quite the right oils. Better for me to buy all the consumables and give them to the mechanic.

BMW Oil is 0W-30 not 0W-40 I am not sure that you have the correct oil.

What made you get 0W-40?

[SapphireM5]

Originally Posted by OneExtra

BMW Oil is 0W-30 not 0W-40 I am not sure that you have the correct oil.

What made you get 0W-40?

I run 0w-40 Castrol in mine, it's a recommended weight.

[technician117]

OP. It seems most of your questions have been answered or worked out but I'll add my 2 cents anyway.

Sounds like you're making a good decision by taking the car to an indy. Buy your own parts and have them install.

Re: OIL - 0w-40 is indeed an optional factory approved weight. The theory is it's optional for climates where the 40w is better. Technically where I live should use 0w-30 but I've only run 0w-40 with no problems and in fact it burns less oil now.

Re: BRAKE FLUID - I read somewhere that you want to use DOT 4 or better, and if possible the DOT 4LV, which stands for low viscosity. A lot of newer cars call for this because more systems are being run hydraulically than just the 4 corners of brake. I bought Pentosin DOT 4LV and flushed the system myself.

[Dwaynos]

Originally Posted by chris-w

I am just about to cancel my dealership service as they want £1000 for an oil change, micro filter, front pads and brake fluid.

I know this might not seem like much but I cant get my head around £400 of the bill being the oild change when I can get the oil (Edge 0-W40) and genuine oil filter for £100 !?

Anyway does anyone know what brake fluid would be best, I have been offered dot 5.1 by several retailers saying its the righgt stuff but I am looking at this Castrol React Performance Dot 4 Fully Synthetic Car Brake Fluid.

Any help greatly appreciated. Also suggestions for front pads that are as good as OEM but not £400!? for front pads...

Ermmm £1000 does seem like a lot because it is a lot.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by chris-w

I am just about to cancel my dealership service as they want £1000 for an oil change, micro filter, front pads and brake fluid.

I know this might not seem like much but I cant get my head around £400 of the bill being the oild change when I can get the oil (Edge 0-W40) and genuine oil filter for £100 !?

Anyway does anyone know what brake fluid would be best, I have been offered dot 5.1 by several retailers saying its the righgt stuff but I am looking at this Castrol React Performance Dot 4 Fully Synthetic Car Brake Fluid.

Any help greatly appreciated. Also suggestions for front pads that are as good as OEM but not £400!? for front pads...

I bought TRW front pads for a steal and they are oem though you'll have to hunt on-line.