Stainless steel brake lines

[Pyrat 2]

The shop that installed mine recommended the Goodridge lines. They use them on their race cars so they should be up to the task.

http://fall-linemotorsports.com

[HP Autosport]

Another thing to consider. I went to buttonwillow this past weekend and let my buddy drive my car the session after me. I spent 60 minutes in an 80 minute (20,20,break,20) window going HARD on my brakes. Eventually at the end of the last session my brakes gave out because I had cooked the fluid. With rubber brake lines I am assuming that time would have been even shorter. Just food for thought!

-Mike

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

Another thing to consider. I went to buttonwillow this past weekend and let my buddy drive my car the session after me. I spent 60 minutes in an 80 minute (20,20,break,20) window going HARD on my brakes. Eventually at the end of the last session my brakes gave out because I had cooked the fluid. With rubber brake lines I am assuming that time would have been even shorter. Just food for thought!

-Mike

And why are you assuming that?

If you boiled the fluid, technically, a rubber line would have expanded a bit allowing the fluid to stay cooler (at the expense of pedal feel). A non-expanding line will generate more heat, sooner.

Not that I'm not in support of SS lines in general...

[hoki06]

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

Another thing to consider. I went to buttonwillow this past weekend and let my buddy drive my car the session after me. I spent 60 minutes in an 80 minute (20,20,break,20) window going HARD on my brakes. Eventually at the end of the last session my brakes gave out because I had cooked the fluid. With rubber brake lines I am assuming that time would have been even shorter. Just food for thought!

-Mike

You know what happens when you assume..

The fact remains that there is nothing but subjective data on whether SS lines effect performance. Referencing pedal feel is somewhat useless because of the subjective nature and because there are several aspects of the braking system that can effect it.

Until we have real data that can somehow quantify the effectiveness of SS lines on brake system performance, it's up to the consumer to decided if they are worth buying or not.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by John_01

Does anyone have an opinion about the stoptech braided lines? I'm weighing up whether I keep the stock lines or possibly look at another product. I'm mainly concerned with the quality and reliability for circuit use.

No reported issues. We have used Stoptech products on the street and track, even competition.

[brocklanders]

I've also had a stainless steel line bust on an e39 I had in the past.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by brocklanders

I've also had a stainless steel line bust on an e39 I had in the past.

No SS line is bullet proof.

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

No SS line is bullet proof.

And some are less bulletproof than stock. Particularly after fabrication/installation.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

And some are less bulletproof than stock. Particularly after fabrication/installation.

Yes, true.

In addition, SS lines don't like to be twisted and stretched.

Some technicians like to let the calipers hang on the rubber hoses or stretch it trying to get struts or coilovers in on the front of the E8x/E9x cars, which is NOT a good practice to begin with. SS lines just can't take the same abuse.

[Skotcoop]

This seems like a lot of useless banter over a cheap ass mod. I ordered the front stoptech slotted rotors and pads that came with SS brake lines to replace my worn stock components. Mainly because it was a good price for the whole package. Plus I just like SS lines because they look sweet and shiny. But what I will do is, replace the rotors and pads first and after a while Ill throw on the SS lines and let you know if there's a difference on my commute to work.

ps...didnt mean to dig this up. Did a google search for 135i SS lines and this pulled up.

[Thunderguts]

Since the thread has already been dug up, I don't see much point of SS lines unless you code out all the braking nannies. Unless you code them out, what you feel through the brake pedal does not always match what the calipers are doing, especially in hard braking--which is where you would most notice SS lines.

I did replace my lines with the ESC branded SS lines. I haven't coded the brakes yet, but it's on my to-do list this spring.

[TboneS54]

I'm pretty sure that after e36 era, bmw stock lines are braided. Ss lines would then be a waste of money and, given that the cheap ones are made in China, a downgrade from stock imo.

Also, most of the brake line is hardline, it's just the last foot or so that's "soft". The clutch line even shorter.

[amg6975]

You guys saying that braided is better and you can feel the difference know that OEM and good quality brake lines have metal and/or kevlar reinforcement, right? It's not a garden hose.

I have a good friend that was a braking systems Engineer at an OEM and has done more real actual testing on brake lines than any one person ever should and he says there is basically no difference between good quality "rubber" lines and steel braided lines. No modern brake lines are going to expand.

His only input is if you get stainless lines get super high quality ones... Stoptech or Brembo. The only part of a brake line that matters is how the ends are attached, and cheap ones will fail at the attachment point much sooner than high quality ones or OEM quality lines.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by amg6975

You guys saying that braided is better and you can feel the difference know that OEM and good quality brake lines have metal and/or kevlar reinforcement, right? It's not a garden hose.

I have a good friend that was a braking systems Engineer at an OEM and has done more real actual testing on brake lines than any one person ever should and he says there is basically no difference between good quality "rubber" lines and steel braided lines. No modern brake lines are going to expand.

His only input is if you get stainless lines get super high quality ones... Stoptech or Brembo. The only part of a brake line that matters is how the ends are attached, and cheap ones will fail at the attachment point much sooner than high quality ones or OEM quality lines.

This.

There is a thread where fe1rx looked closely at several 3rd party SS brake line kits. TechnaFit was one example where they had put the thought into the end/attachment design and was of high quality.

[thez99]

Originally Posted by Skotcoop

This seems like a lot of useless banter over a cheap ass mod. I ordered the front stoptech slotted rotors and pads that came with SS brake lines to replace my worn stock components. Mainly because it was a good price for the whole package. Plus I just like SS lines because they look sweet and shiny. But what I will do is, replace the rotors and pads first and after a while Ill throw on the SS lines and let you know if there's a difference on my commute to work.

ps...didnt mean to dig this up. Did a google search for 135i SS lines and this pulled up.

Sorry this made me laugh

You like the SS lines because they're shiny and they look good? You NEVER see them after install...

Then you get them and you say you'll install your pads and rotors, then save the lines for later?? So you'll go thru a whole bleed process twice for what reason?

I think the take from this whole set is SS lines are decently cheap enough to be well enough of a mod that when installed CORRECTLY can mildly improve compression during HARD braking when as was earlier stated, stock lines would expand some allowing heat to pass at the expense of some compression and feel.

In other words, unless you track the fuck out of your car, don't bother

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by thez99

You NEVER see them after install...

LOL, speak for yourself.

[b1aze]

Originally Posted by thez99

In other words, unless you track the fuck out of your car, you wont be able to tell the difference

Fixed that for you.