Early 325i brakes

[toby]

Years ago, when an H plate was new, I noticed that the C & D reg 325i cars fitted with the earlier engine had less braking power. The pedal seemed harder but less effective.

Is this general? - is there a difference?
I was only a new driver at the time and it was a long time ago so perhaps I'm completely wrong.

If it is true - I'm not quite sure why this would be. The master cylinders differ I think - maybe some other bits.

Anyone know?

Cheers
Toby

[pnd]

I have noticed this too and was told they uprated the brakes from shit to merely poor from about 1987 on. The guy who told me was an ex head mecfheanic for a bmw dealer who's been working on BM's since the sixties.

[zaust]

For some reason there is more(lenght) copper pipe on the earlier one's, I put this down to part of the problem, I'm not to sure there is a difference in the abs unit's.

[toby]

Come on... where are all the E30 geeks?

Perhaps it's down to a combination of all the parts that were updated - but that's a boring answer.

[SCOTT325SE]

there is a difference in the actual branding of some years of e30 brake calipers - some are ATE, some are girling, some are something else. It is possible that the internals of one brand provide a better feel and are more effective due to a lesser amount of fluid sitting in the caliper, or the entry direction and porting in the calipers and brake servo being more direct and efficient.

just a geek note, but the pipes arent made of copper... they are steel - thats why they rust and fail MOT's.

[fowler]

and they have proprtioning valve on the back of the servo give them a good stamp to get them going

[zaust]

there is a difference in the actual branding of some years of e30 brake calipers - some are ATE, some are girling, some are something else. It is possible that the internals of one brand provide a better feel and are more effective due to a lesser amount of fluid sitting in the caliper, or the entry direction and porting in the calipers and brake servo being more direct and efficient.

just a geek note, but the pipes arent made of copper... they are steel - thats why they rust and fail MOT's.

This is true.. But i always replace with copper..

[fowler]

how expensive to change to copper Marc need a chat will call you !!!

[zaust]

We need to sort out the 24's as well. I feel a trip to spain comming on..

[fowler]

you know this my friend when where i will be there ! Road trip yippeeeeeeeeeee!!!!