Never understood why changing brake fluid was considered such a big issue. Every time I change the pads, I change the fluid, and at the rate I run the cars, that works out to be two to three years, sometimes more often. It is an extra couple of bucks - I use Castrol GTX, a DOT4 product available at most auto stores. I posted a brake pad replacement procedure for W123's a long time ago, and noted the color of the fluid is nasty when it comes out. I never push the old stuff back into the system, I always open the bleed screw and fit a hose over the end, and collect the old stuff in a glass jar I can see the old stuff as is drains. This also makes forcing the pistons back into the calipers easier. For the price of the brake fluid it is crazy not to flush the lines. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)