How much does a BMW brake fluid change cost?

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Read more about us.

Unlike most other vehicles, replacing or changing the brake fluid of your BMW requires you to pay some extra bucks. Why so?

Well, BMW is a special kind of vehicle. And every special item requires special treatment.

In general, an average passenger car or SUV will require you to spend around $65 to $150 to change the brake fluid.

But changing the brake fluid of your BMW car will cost around $150 to as high as $300. 

The total amount that you need to spend on changing the brake fluid of your BMW depends on varied factors.

BMW series, brake fluid type, how you are changing the fluid etcetera are some of the essential aspects that will dictate the total amount you will have to spend to change the fluid of your car. 

If you are here to learn about the amount you will have to spend to change the fluid of your car, this article is here to provide you with all the valid information you need.

If you are interested, let’s jump into the discussion-

What is Brake fluid?

Brake fluid is the Chemical substance used in the braking system of hydraulic vehicles to keep the friction and temperature in control or to transfer the brake force into pressure.

Brake fluids usually work on the principle that liquids are not essentially compressible. Therefore, brake fluid keeps the hydraulic properties of your vehicle in check.

How much does a BMW brake fluid change cost?

Changing the brake fluid of any BMW car will cost anywhere between $150 to $300 from a certified shop and $60 to $100 when you will do the job on your own.

As we have mentioned earlier that changing the brake fluid of any car depends on varied factors. Therefore, it is quite probable that some BMW series will require you to spend less, whereas some others will make you spend more on the changing process.

Brake fluid change cost for different BMW Series

Changing the brake fluid of your car mostly depends on the complexity of the design of the specific vehicle.  In general, a car with a complex hydraulic design will charge more compared to a car with a simplistic hydraulic design.

Here is our estimated budget you will have to spend to change the brake fluid according to different BMW series.

What are the factors that influence the cost of changing the brake fluid of your car?

The top five factors that will dictate how much you will have to spend on changing the brake fluid of your car are-

• The complexity of the hydraulic features
• Brake fluid cost
• Types of brake fluid
• How you are doing the installation
• How often you are changing the fluid

Let's discuss each of the topics a little broadly so that you can get the idea. At the end of the cost analysis section, we will aggregate all these sections in a single place so that you can get an idea about the spending you will have to make to change the brake fluid of your car-

The complexity of the hydraulic features

The total cost of changing the brake fluid of your BMW depends on the complexity of the design of your vehicle.  

For example, the former BMW models will require you to spend less on changing the fluid of your car compared with the later editions.

When it is possible to change the brake fluid of earlier BMWs for around $80 to $150, the later versions will require you to spend anywhere near $120 to as high as $300.

Brake fluid cost

In general, a single unit of brake fluid will cost anywhere between $15 to $45.

When you are talking about BMW, the cost to purchase a brake fluid with a high-end boiling temperature for your BMW will be nearly $30 to $60.

The higher the boiling temperature of the fluid, the higher the cost will be.

Brake fluid types

According to the standard, brake fluids can be categorized as DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and so on. The higher the digit marked on the fluid, the more boiling temperature that particular fluid tends to have.

Therefore, a DOT 5 marked brake fluid will usually cost more than a DOT 3 certified fluid.

If you are living in a region where the temperature tends to remain low, you may get better performance with a DOT 3 or DOT 4 certified fluid.

 But when you are living in a high-temperature region, you really need to think about choosing a fluid with a high-end boiling temperature.

According to the types, the cost of brake fluid can be anywhere near $9 to as high as $60.

How you are changing the fluid?

When it comes to changing the fluid of your BMW, there are always two types of people evident.

The first kind of people will prefer changing the fluid from a trusted mechanical shop. This category does not care about money or want to avoid facing any complications.

Changing the brake fluid of your BMW from a mechanical shop will cost $120 to $300 according to the model of your BMW.

The second type, on the other hand, believes in the philosophy of doing the job on their own. It is true that they research a bit more but end up saving a good amount eventually in the longer run.

A DIY brake fluid change for your BMW will cost around $60 to $120 only.

That means a DIY fluid change means saving at least $50 every time you change the fluid.

How often you are changing the fluid?

It is recommended that you change the brake fluid of your car every two to three years.

Using a brake fluid for a long time gives access to contamination and other substances to reduce the initial boiling temperature of the fluid.

Therefore, the braking and hydraulic properties of your BMW become vulnerable.

According to the frequency of changing the fluid of your BMW, the aggregated cost to change the fluid will increase as well.

Those who change the fluid every one year or two-year will naturally spend more than those who change the fluid every three or four years.

But a frequent change of brake fluid will ensure that your BMW is well protected.

Cost calculation

Here is the most basic calculation you need to think about while changing the brake fluid of your BMW-

Cost analysis

Believe it or not, brake fluid change is one of the most underrated services when it comes to getting concentration.

But changing the brake fluid in regular intervals can really give a user a high-end benefit in the longer run.

Most importantly, all you need to spend is around $120 to $300 once every two years to keep the hydraulic properties of your BMW in check.

That much of amount is always spendable when you really care about your BMW.