Stainless Steel Brake Lines

[ryanmkincaid]

I want to upgrade my OE brake lines for steel braided ones. My car is a 1998 328i sedan automatic. A couple of questions:

Do I look for the kits that are 4 lines or 6 lines?
What's the difference between Stainless Steel and Teflon Coated?
Can I just pick up any kit I find on eBay or should I go to BavAuto? (don't want to pay the $120 price tag

[MaxxChris]

E36's have 6 lines (2 on each side in the back). As far as I know anyway, the 4 doors should be no different than my IS. Teflon Coated has a teflon coating on the outside to prevent abrasion and protect the stainless braid, I'd recommend getting the coating. I would stay away from ebay and get Turner or StopTech lines, I heard Bav Autos have aluminum fitting that are easy to strip. I dont recommend trying to be cheep and save money on brakes, you'll regret it big time if a cheap component fails on you at a bad time...

[psilocybe]

These lines fit all 1992-1999 E36 3 series BMWs. Please note that both 323is/ic and 328i/is/ic produced 12/1997 and later use a 4 piece kit, versus all other E36 which use a 6 piece kit.

$100 from turner motorsport

[MaxxChris]

$100 from turner motorsport


hmmm, well I havent put mine on yet but when I bought my Stoptech's from HMS motorsport the only option was ASC or no ASC. I have four lines for the back...I hope I have the right kit....:shifty

[happycamper]

make sure u get the silcone coated one it should prevent rush

[psilocybe]

hmmm, well I havent put mine on yet but when I bought my Stoptech's from HMS motorsport the only option was ASC or no ASC. I have four lines for the back...I hope I have the right kit....:shifty

you can decode your vin to get the production date, i think it is on the door jam sticker too.

it's possible your 98 was made before dec 97

[MaxxChris]

you can decode your vin to get the production date, i think it is on the door jam sticker too.

it's possible your 98 was made before dec 97

Build date is 5/98...im going to go check the car and then call HMS if I have the wrong kit :shifty

[ryanmkincaid]

make sure u get the silcone coated one it should prevent rush

so get the Silicone coated one instead of the Teflone? where do I get the silicone one from?

[LAWLence]

make sure u get the silcone coated one it should prevent rush

..because stainless steel rusts...

[MaxxChris]

..because stainless steel rusts...

Actually some alloys will...

The coating primarily prevents abrasion from what I understand.

Oh, and my 98 323is (build 5/98) has one rear line...still waiting to hear from Stoptech/HMS motorsports on what I need...

[happycamper]

..because stainless steel rusts...

bam! take that lawlence's beliefs

[LAWLence]

Actually some alloys will...

The coating primarily prevents abrasion from what I understand.

Oh, and my 98 323is (build 5/98) has one rear line...still waiting to hear from Stoptech/HMS motorsports on what I need...

The coating keeps the lines from eating away at your strut housings up front. It also prevent dirt from getting in between the braids. It's bad news when dirt gets in there because movement of the lines will make the dirt wear down the inner teflon coating.

[MaxxChris]

The coating keeps the lines from eating away at your strut housings up front. It also prevent dirt from getting in between the braids. It's bad news when dirt gets in there because movement of the lines will make the dirt wear down the inner teflon coating.

That is exactly what I meant by abrasion. Dirt getting in the braid is particularly bad because you cant tell untill its too late.

[ublemaschine]

I got UUC ones. Very good quality. 120ish for a set of 6. I also installed the clutch line (<30 bucks).

The inner is a teflon line wrapped in braided stainless steel to prevent expansion of the teflon line. This provides a much more direct brake feel and stiffens the pedal. Then the outside has a coating on it to prevent damage to the braided stainless part (UUC ones do some others do also and some do not).

[edbd1]

If you look on EBAY, check for ones sold by Double 02. They're local to me, and are a recycling yard as well as selling new unused parts such as these. I've purchased from them and can recommend.

[ryanmkincaid]

F' it.

I just got the Teflone coated ones from Bavauto. I know some recommended against but I there wasn't a clear enough consensus for me to choose somewhere else.

Thanks for the help

[Bris328is]

F' it.

I just got the Teflone coated ones from Bavauto. I know some recommended against but I there wasn't a clear enough consensus for me to choose somewhere else.

Thanks for the help
omg--dont get that set:shifty

[ryanmkincaid]

omg--dont get that set:shifty


OK, then which set? how about pm'ing me a link to the we site or the product? Is there a particular manufacturer which I should look at? I will cancel the order tomorrow morning. But I'd like to change these brake lines and fluid before the weather changes.

Any help please, and thanks

[Bris328is]

OK, then which set? how about pm'ing me a link to the we site or the product? Is there a particular manufacturer which I should look at? I will cancel the order tomorrow morning. But I'd like to change these brake lines and fluid before the weather changes.

Any help please, and thanks
I was being sarcastic--as I was consuming lots of beer---yummmm beer:D

actually that is a good set, use the proper wrenches when installing.

[ryanmkincaid]

I was being sarcastic--as I was consuming lots of beer---yummmm beer:D

actually that is a good set, use the proper wrenches when installing.


LOL, ok, I can take a good joke. I was just pressed because I'm really noticing the loose of pressure when I apply the brakes and I know I should have done the brake fluid replace a long time ago, now I'm scrambling before the last few good days are gone.

[Bris328is]

LOL, ok, I can take a good joke. I was just pressed because I'm really noticing the loose of pressure when I apply the brakes and I know I should have done the brake fluid replace a long time ago, now I'm scrambling before the last few good days are gone.
be careful when loosening and tightening the fittings they will round off easily, also this is a good time to fully flush the system--get all the old fluid out--have fun:D

[ososinsk]

LOL, ok, I can take a good joke. I was just pressed because I'm really noticing the loose of pressure when I apply the brakes and I know I should have done the brake fluid replace a long time ago, now I'm scrambling before the last few good days are gone.


If you are actually noticing a loss of pressure while you apply the brakes, then you almost certainly have worn out brake master cylinder seals. I don't remember if there is a rebuild kit for the master cylinder, but i think it has to be replaced- i'm literally doing this job on my car today. Steel braided brake lines are a nice upgrade, but are more of a 'tweak' than a fix for mushy brakes.

[ryanmkincaid]

If you are actually noticing a loss of pressure while you apply the brakes, then you almost certainly have worn out brake master cylinder seals. I don't remember if there is a rebuild kit for the master cylinder, but i think it has to be replaced- i'm literally doing this job on my car today. Steel braided brake lines are a nice upgrade, but are more of a 'tweak' than a fix for mushy brakes.

Wow, dude, you just got me scared. Is this a simple DIY? If so where can I find a link? Any help is welcomed. Thanks