E30 325i Cabrio - improving brake performance

[JakeT]

I think the conflated outlier is spot on with it, new hoses won’t harm and rebuild calipers will help. It’s also worth clamping all of the flexible hoses and seeing if the pedal is firm too and that the master can build and hold pressure. It’s been a long time since I drove one, but as you say they can lock the front wheels easily.

Putting it in the rollers will help you understand where the issue is too. While a newer car me 1993 E36 has good feeling brakes and will activate ABS easily if you’re faced with a brown pants moment.

[rdjohn]

It has been on the rollers this morning. The Fronts locked, as expected. The Rears did nothing so new discs and pads are on the way.

I have asked him to check the hoses.

He thinks the hydraulics are OK, probably means no visible leaks

[JakeT]

Good to hear. If they haven’t been done I’d probably replace the hoses, I did them on my car and pedal feel improved, and I don’t have worries about a bubble appearing or any number of issues failed lines can cause.

[rdjohn]

I got the car back yesterday. The pedal feels a whole lot better. Initial retardation is good, but I have not yet been on a road sufficiently quiet to trigger the ABS.

I suspect all will be OK, before replacing all the hydraulic elements.

Thanks to everyone for your help but esspeciallyThe Conflated Outlier for his contribution

[d_a_n1979]

That's good to hear; hopefully it'll brake as required now...

Keep up posted as to how you get on when you do some further braking in anger