Stainless Steel Brake Lines

E30toF30 · 04-01-2016, 05:06 PM

Hey all,

So i've taken an interest to tracking (nothing serious, but more of a fun hobby) and I plan on hitting up the track at least once a month...maybe twice a month if I can squeeze it in. A few people i've spoken to have recommended I do the following even with it not being super serious:

- Tires
- Brake pads
- Brake Fluids
- Brake lines
- Suspension

Tires and wheels i've taken care of. I have a set of track pads. Fluids have been changed, and suspension...well...I wont have this car for too long (maybe another year or so) so swapping to some coils seems like a waste of money so i'll live with what I have for now (H&R Sport springs w/ DHP).

That leaves the brake lines. Do you guys agree that changing the brake lines to some aftermarket SS ones will be a very good investment? From how it is explained to me (i'm by no means a technical guy when it comes to cars), it makes sense that this would be a very important change even if I'm only at the track once a month.

With that said, which set of brake lines should I get, and where should I get them? I see some on ECS tuning at about $110 that seem pretty good. But should I be considering a different brand as well? Also, any forum sponsors have something to recommend? I'd rather go through a board sponsor here than a third party that doesn't contribute to this forum (ECS isn't a board sponsor are they?)

Anyway, thats in advance!
Looking to get these brake lines in for an event at Pacific Raceway in Kent WA for the 21st. Anyone else happen to be heading out there?

daberlin · 04-01-2016, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E30toF30

That leaves the brake lines. Do you guys agree that changing the brake lines to some aftermarket SS ones will be a very good investment? From how it is explained to me (i'm by no means a technical guy when it comes to cars), it makes sense that this would be a very important change even if I'm only at the track once a month.

BAVAUTO $89.95. Part # BMW-1875. I installed them last week. Nice quality.

RM7 · 04-02-2016, 09:40 AM

Modern brake lines are as good or better than SS "reinforced" brake lines. It's largely a marketing/bling upgrade.

E30toF30 · 04-02-2016, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Modern brake lines are as good or better than SS "reinforced" brake lines. It's largely a marketing/bling upgrade.

Interesting thought. I don't doubt this could be true as this kind of thing happens in all industries with diff products. Do you happen to have links to any articles or anything discussing this?

If your user name was jamesALLbrakes as opposed to jamesnobrakes, you might get a tad bit more initial credibility

MickAv8r · 04-03-2016, 04:59 PM

Mine are StopTech's from Zeckhausen. Couldnt disagree more with James. If you are going to track the car regularly its a worthwhile and cheap upgrade.

E30toF30 · 04-04-2016, 05:29 PM

Decided to go with the Stoptech kit over the ECS tuning and Bavauto.

Purchased them through Harold at HP Autosport, one of our board sponsors.
He was pretty responsive with his PM's so i'm pretty happy with the purchase.

Looking forward to getting them.

On another note, anybody know if installing these is a simple DIY? Or a bit more complicated/requires quite a few more tools specific for the job?

_bdiddyb_ · 04-04-2016, 05:55 PM

E30toF30 , not an easy DIY if you don't have the motive bleeder.

Polo08816 · 04-04-2016, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

E30toF30 , not an easy DIY if you don't have the motive bleeder.

It's also not an easy DIY if you don't have the ISTA/D Rheingold software as well. It is required if you are opening up the system as opposed to a regular bleed.

E30toF30 · 04-04-2016, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

E30toF30 , not an easy DIY if you don't have the motive bleeder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo08816

It's also not an easy DIY if you don't have the ISTA/D Rheingold software as well. It is required if you are opening up the system as opposed to a regular bleed.

Looks like the shop will be doing the install then.
$125 CAD seems a fair price.

daberlin · 04-05-2016, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E30toF30

Looks like the shop will be doing the install then.
$125 CAD seems a fair price.

For all four lines and a flush/bleed? That's a bargain!

Polo08816 · 04-05-2016, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daberlin

For all four lines and a flush/bleed? That's a bargain!

It depends on what type of brake fluid is used...

daberlin · 04-05-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo08816

It depends on what type of brake fluid is used...

BMW dealer here in LA wanted $365 to do a brake fluid flush. I couldn't stop laughing when they quoted this price. I used OEM fluid myself and it was $26.

$100US for an Indy flush is a bargain with ANY DOT 4 fluid.

E30toF30 · 04-05-2016, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daberlin

For all four lines and a flush/bleed? That's a bargain!

Yah it's an Indy shop. A friend of a good friend.

E30toF30 · 04-05-2016, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo08816

It depends on what type of brake fluid is used...

To be honest, I'm not sure how the quality is (I think it was motul rbf600 racing brake fluid, and yes it is dot4) . It's the same stuff he uses for his own dedicated track car so I can't see it being cheap in quality by any means. Can't say for certain it's the best stuff, but it must be decent? Lol

MickAv8r · 04-05-2016, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo08816

It's also not an easy DIY if you don't have the ISTA/D Rheingold software as well. It is required if you are opening up the system as opposed to a regular bleed.

Care to explain further? I dont recall any need for coding.

Polo08816 · 04-05-2016, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickAv8r

Care to explain further? I dont recall any need for coding.

It's not "coding". This cannot be done via the E-Sys or ISTA/P.

My understanding is that when the system is opened up there's a possibility for air to get into the ABS components.

The diagnostic tool (ISTA/D Rheingold) actuates the ABS component multiple times to get the air out of the system.

I believe this is specified in the Bentley Service Manual for the F30 under the section that deals with brake bleeding.

BimmerF32_430i · 04-08-2016, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickAv8r

Care to explain further? I dont recall any need for coding.

It's not "coding". This cannot be done via the E-Sys or ISTA/P.

My understanding is that when the system is opened up there's a possibility for air to get into the ABS components.

The diagnostic tool (ISTA/D Rheingold) actuates the ABS component multiple times to get the air out of the system.

I believe this is specified in the Bentley Service Manual for the F30 under the section that deals with brake bleeding.

So you're saying that I couldn't have an Indy shop replace my lines and do a flush without this software?

Orion4 · 04-09-2016, 09:02 AM

Your Indy may be able to do this, but if air does get into the system BMW uses ISTA/D Rheingold software and Bentley's describes that use or equivalent to remove the air bubble. Attached is the Bentley's text.

Make sure to ask your Indy if they have done the F30 brake systems before and what their process is to ensure all air is removed.

//M · 04-10-2016, 02:03 PM

I noticed a big difference on my E90, brand new OEM lines vs SS may not be a huge difference but after a bit of abuse on track the stock lines (at least on the E90) they do get softer, I absolutely improved pedal to caliper directness with SS lines.

Polo08816 · 04-10-2016, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion4

Your Indy may be able to do this, but if air does get into the system BMW uses ISTA/D Rheingold software and Bentley's describes that use or equivalent to remove the air bubble. Attached is the Bentley's text.

Make sure to ask your Indy if they have done the F30 brake systems before and what their process is to ensure all air is removed.

Here are some screenshots for the procedure "Bleeding brake system with DSC".

techwhiz · 04-11-2016, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaudhrysn

So you're saying that I couldn't have an Indy shop replace my lines and do a flush without this software?

It can be done if you know what you are doing.
But you do need to know what you are doing.
The key point of the software is that it modulates pressure to the ABS distribution block to dislodge small bubbles.

E30toF30 · 04-11-2016, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techwhiz

It can be done if you know what you are doing.
But you do need to know what you are doing.
The key point of the software is that it modulates pressure to the ABS distribution block to dislodge small bubbles.

My indy shop flushed out my OEM fluids to replace it with the higher boiling point stuff for the track.

It didn't appear he used any software or anything to ensure that no air bubbles were introduced into the lines.

I've got an appointment there on Wednesday to do the brake line install and will be more aware of whether or not he uses anything special to flush the lines again. The only thing I remember him using is this container that appeared to suck out the fluids from the lines like a vacuum? And every so often he would be topping up the reservoir with more brake fluid? I may have missed a couple things here and there as I was more interested in the 1M and also the work being done in it on the hoist next to mine hahah

04-01-2016, 05:06 PM	#1
E30toF30 Captain 121 Rep 749 Posts Drives: 2016 528i Executive Edition Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1) Garage List 2002 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 35d [0.00] 2016 BMW 528i xDrive [0.00]	Stainless Steel Brake Lines - What and Where to Buy? Hey all, So i've taken an interest to tracking (nothing serious, but more of a fun hobby) and I plan on hitting up the track at least once a month...maybe twice a month if I can squeeze it in. A few people i've spoken to have recommended I do the following even with it not being super serious: - Tires - Brake pads - Brake Fluids - Brake lines - Suspension Tires and wheels i've taken care of. I have a set of track pads. Fluids have been changed, and suspension...well...I wont have this car for too long (maybe another year or so) so swapping to some coils seems like a waste of money so i'll live with what I have for now (H&R Sport springs w/ DHP). That leaves the brake lines. Do you guys agree that changing the brake lines to some aftermarket SS ones will be a very good investment? From how it is explained to me (i'm by no means a technical guy when it comes to cars), it makes sense that this would be a very important change even if I'm only at the track once a month. With that said, which set of brake lines should I get, and where should I get them? I see some on ECS tuning at about $110 that seem pretty good. But should I be considering a different brand as well? Also, any forum sponsors have something to recommend? I'd rather go through a board sponsor here than a third party that doesn't contribute to this forum (ECS isn't a board sponsor are they?) Anyway, thats in advance! Looking to get these brake lines in for an event at Pacific Raceway in Kent WA for the 21st. Anyone else happen to be heading out there?
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04-02-2016, 09:40 AM	#3
RM7 Brigadier General 2893 Rep 3,465 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Modern brake lines are as good or better than SS "reinforced" brake lines. It's largely a marketing/bling upgrade.
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04-03-2016, 04:59 PM	#5
MickAv8r Captain 175 Rep 766 Posts Drives: 2014 EBII 328ix Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: New Hampster iTrader: (0)	Mine are StopTech's from Zeckhausen. Couldnt disagree more with James. If you are going to track the car regularly its a worthwhile and cheap upgrade. __________________ Well weathered leather, hot metal and oil, the scented country air. Sunlight on chrome, the blur of the landscape, every nerve aware! 2014 328ix EBII - Sport AT, Light Pkg, Blk Dakota, Moonroof, Navigation, Heated Seats, HK Audio, Driver Assist, Sport Pedals, Dinan Springs, Bilstein B8s, M-Performance BBK
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04-04-2016, 05:29 PM	#6
E30toF30 Captain 121 Rep 749 Posts Drives: 2016 528i Executive Edition Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1) Garage List 2002 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 35d [0.00] 2016 BMW 528i xDrive [0.00]	Decided to go with the Stoptech kit over the ECS tuning and Bavauto. Purchased them through Harold at HP Autosport, one of our board sponsors. He was pretty responsive with his PM's so i'm pretty happy with the purchase. Looking forward to getting them. On another note, anybody know if installing these is a simple DIY? Or a bit more complicated/requires quite a few more tools specific for the job?
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04-04-2016, 05:55 PM	#7
_bdiddyb_ Lieutenant 215 Rep 558 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: California iTrader: (1)	E30toF30 , not an easy DIY if you don't have the motive bleeder.
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04-09-2016, 09:02 AM	#18
Orion4 Lieutenant Colonel 478 Rep 1,568 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Sport Line Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (0)	Your Indy may be able to do this, but if air does get into the system BMW uses ISTA/D Rheingold software and Bentley's describes that use or equivalent to remove the air bubble. Attached is the Bentley's text. Make sure to ask your Indy if they have done the F30 brake systems before and what their process is to ensure all air is removed. Attached Images Last edited by Orion4; 04-09-2016 at 09:09 AM..
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04-10-2016, 02:03 PM	#19
//M Lieutenant 243 Rep 497 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	I noticed a big difference on my E90, brand new OEM lines vs SS may not be a huge difference but after a bit of abuse on track the stock lines (at least on the E90) they do get softer, I absolutely improved pedal to caliper directness with SS lines.
	Appreciate 0 Quote