Fluid for autocross

[07hardtop]

Want to bleed my fluid as its 5 years old now and put a more performance oriented product in. Planning on doing 5-10 autocross events this summer. Everything is stock except akebono ceramics on a base '07.

Any suggestions on which brake fluid to purchase?

Thanks

[iDiaz]

Ate Super Blue is good stuff and easy to bleed since it's blue. Are you actually boiling the fluid doing autox though? If not, I'd just go with OEM. Since you're gonna be bleeding the brakes, it'd be a good opportunity to throw on some stainless steel braided brake lines, though. You'll feel a big difference in the pedal from those.

[07hardtop]

yea was thinking the same on the braided brake lines but trying to be cheap
If im going to do it, might as well do it right
would have gotten in on the group buy but i found it to late, nbd

any suggestion on manufacturers? Outmotoring has a set for $119 but no brand :/

NM are $200 but will bite the bullet if they are worth it

[glnr13]

Detroit tuned sells em too

[07hardtop]

Thanks for the input, Much appreciated
Going to go with the detroit tuned and will be picking up a pressure bleeder

few more questions
Any special procedure to doing the entire job? Just unscrew old lines and thread in new ones? Do one corner at a time (ss line and bleed) or all lines and then go back and bleed?

obviously never done this before lol, Just looking for any tips to make it go more smoothly (fairly mechanically inclined, specially with the bently manual for a clear visual reference)

[Blackbomber]

Since you mentioned the age of your fluid, I'm assuming you want to FLUSH the fluid first. That's where the blue stuff shows it's "colors" (sorry). When I flushed my car upon purchase a year and a half ago (MINI calls for 2 year intervals, I think), the fluid was so dark that I was clearly able to tell when the new fluid was through using regular amber. Anyway, to answer your question, change all the lines, then flush and bleed, going from farthest corner from MC to closest. If you can crack a bleeder, then depress the brake pedal with a tool (like a piece of 2"x3" between the pedal and seat) to hold it down, it will keep the fluid from running out while you have the system open. Take the "tool" out before using your bleeder. I use my bleeder for the entire flushing process.

[07hardtop]

Thanks for the tips

Much more confident is pulling it apart now, if i hit any snags i could ask my dad, but then i have to hear a speach of how its stupid that i work on my car for no reason and cant leave well enough alone

[cole9953]

I wonder if its to late for you to jump on the group buy.... maybe i think everyone has received there lines now. but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ad.php?t=22820

[07hardtop]

Went ahead and ordered them from detroit tuned last night, hope to get them in time to install for next saturdays event

[glnr13]

lots of cardboard and rags, it's gonna get messy.

[Blackbomber]

Originally Posted by 07hardtop

... i have to hear a speach of how its stupid that i work on my car for no reason and cant leave well enough alone

Well you're on your own for justifying the SS lines. But complete brake fluid changes every two years are published routine maintenance. I think it even says it in the owners manual in the schedules. Get a printed copy of that in your hands before asking. Changing fluid is cheaper than changing calipers. Heck, changing lines and fluid is cheaper.....

[07hardtop]

ok so now im confused
friend went to the local mini dealer (who i personaly am not to fond of for their sercive lol) about an ac issue he was having and got on the topic of brake fluid.

both the SA and tech swore against super blue saying it degrades the braking system and they have seem clutches entires fail due to its use (this seems a little far to me but im not a mechanic but i do know mini clutches have a tendency to just fail bc of being p.o.s. so idk what to make of that)

anyone been running this stuff for many years/miles in their minis without issues to comfort me? lol

[dawgscj7]

Ive had super blue in mine for 40k no problems

[glnr13]

don't believe the stealer.

[07hardtop]

I was very skeptical of the info i was relayed (truthfully i have a hard time believing many things mini service says as they are the same people that say its fine to not change your oil for 20k miles as long as the service light isnt on and that rotating your tires is bad )

but this from NAM made me think twice again

Originally Posted by WayMotorWorks

I would recommend the Motul RBF600 fluid over all the others, but if this is strickly a daily driver you can actually pick up the valvoline synthetic really cheap and it works great.

I would def stay away from the ATE fluid, been down those problems too many times.

going to give a friend at a different mini dealer a call before doing the job and find out his $.02

if anything i will just use the super blue for right now or pick up some valvoline as it sounds like a quality sub for my needs until i find something better in a few weeks and reflush the system

Thanks for all the help again everyone