A couple of braking questions

[N00b]

With regard to my 325 touring can anyone tell me

A) does servo performance degrade over time or is it just a case of it works or it doesn't? If it does degrade whats involved refreshing it?
And
B) is the standard brakung system any good? I'm not a performance junky with this car and I'm thinking about sending the calipers somewhere like bigg redd. Should i go for this option or rather look for second hand uprated stuff?

Thanks for reading

[Yeti]

tbh i think the servo would either work or not so i wouldnt worry, if your unsure do the pedal test to see if the servo is working

its ok woul0ntd hurt for an upgrade. rx7 is the most common upgrade on these too

[sindako]

You Can start by upgrading the Servo/MC unit ,
if you want better braking , get the RX7 Upgrade kit .

you can use a BMW 325ix Servo and install any 25mm MC from an e34 or an E32 .
it really improves the braking .

Also stainless steel hoses make the brake lock faster .

i was running E32/Audi TT BBK kit .
but when i went back to my 16" BBS RS , i switched back to Stock Brakes , but i am still using the E34 M5 Servo MC .
and it's way better than the Stock servo mc on the e30 .

(to use an E34 servo MC , you'll need some Drilling in the baulk area .
See Lee's Post on zone wiki for more info) .

Cheers .

[BenHar]

The standard brakes on a 325i are more than adequate for normal driving.

Why do you think there is something wrong?

Ben

[N00b]

The standard brakes on a 325i are more than adequate for normal driving.

Why do you think there is something wrong?

Ben

I don't necessarily think something is wrong, but as my car is 27 years old (and I didn't drive one when they were new) I can't be sure they're performing as they should. I'd imagine the servo either works or it doesn't but given the insane level of expertise available in here it made sense to ask the question. If the cost of upgrading was similar to fully returning the standard stuff I'd upgrade, but as I'm not desperately seeking a brake performance upgrade I wouldn't pay a premium to have greater stopping power. The only brake mod so far is a set of goodridge hoses.

[Brianmoooore]

Brake servo is generally go/no go, but the master cylinder attached to it isn't. That can leak internally or through the end seals, affecting brake balance or letting air enter the system, giving a long, soft pedal.
Upgrades/mods to the servo or M/C won't improve the brakes as such - they will just affect balance and pedal pressure, which may give the impression of 'better brakes', but you are just reducing pedal pressure, which is high on the E30 compared to modern cars, because of changing fashions.
As said above, E30 brakes working as they should, aren't lacking for road use.

[N00b]

Brake servo is generally go/no go, but the master cylinder attached to it isn't. That can leak internally or through the end seals, affecting brake balance or letting air enter the system, giving a long, soft pedal.
Upgrades/mods to the servo or M/C won't improve the brakes as such - they will just affect balance and pedal pressure, which may give the impression of 'better brakes', but you are just reducing pedal pressure, which is high on the E30 compared to modern cars, because of changing fashions.
As said above, E30 brakes working as they should, aren't lacking for road use.

Mr.moooore, how do I check for an air leak? I'm not losing brake fluid, that much I know, but air may be a different matter. Is the recommended approach to replace the master cylinder with a new one or is there a repair kit available?

Thanks to everyone for their advice so far, it seems that the standard braking system will be enough for me I just need to make sure it's in perfect working order.

[BenHar]

Take it to an MOT tester and get them to put it on the rollers. That will tell you if they are working OK.

Ben

[Carmo13]

Brake servo is generally go/no go, but the master cylinder attached to it isn't. That can leak internally or through the end seals, affecting brake balance or letting air enter the system, giving a long, soft pedal.
Upgrades/mods to the servo or M/C won't improve the brakes as such - they will just affect balance and pedal pressure, which may give the impression of 'better brakes', but you are just reducing pedal pressure, which is high on the E30 compared to modern cars, because of changing fashions.
As said above, E30 brakes working as they should, aren't lacking for road use.

I just replaced my M/C and it made my brakes feel much more positive.
There were no external signs that my old M/C was failing, i just wasnt happy with the feel of my brakes and after refurbing the calipers and bleeding the system many times i finally gave in a purchased a new M/C.
I now wish i had done so much sooner.
Im just rienforcing Brians point that the M/C can fail internally with no signs externally.

[N00b]

Brake servo is generally go/no go, but the master cylinder attached to it isn't. That can leak internally or through the end seals, affecting brake balance or letting air enter the system, giving a long, soft pedal.
Upgrades/mods to the servo or M/C won't improve the brakes as such - they will just affect balance and pedal pressure, which may give the impression of 'better brakes', but you are just reducing pedal pressure, which is high on the E30 compared to modern cars, because of changing fashions.
As said above, E30 brakes working as they should, aren't lacking for road use.

I just replaced my M/C and it made my brakes feel much more positive.
There were no external signs that my old M/C was failing, i just wasnt happy with the feel of my brakes and after refurbing the calipers and bleeding the system many times i finally gave in a purchased a new M/C.
I now wish i had done so much sooner.
Im just rienforcing Brians point that the M/C can fail internally with no signs externally.

OE or pattern part?
How much was it if you don't mind me asking?

[Carmo13]

It was a pattern part from GSF car parts. The make was TOPRAN i think and cost £90.