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Thread: ECS SS brake lines on a touring or "are you sure these fit...?"

  1. #1
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    ECS SS brake lines on a touring or "are you sure these fit...?"

    this may end up being evidence of my untimely demise in a few years but anyway:

    -engine bay brake line on my 540i decoupled rubber from its compression fitting and started leaking while i was on the highway, got home safe (in the cab of a tow truck)
    -replaced both engine bay lines and all four corners with ECS stainless steel lines, this exact set for $121
    https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...it/e393430kit/
    -fully bled them, twice.

    the old lines have rubber grommets on them but i didn't see a way to get those off without destroying them, the new lines don't have any
    the rear lines' caliper connection is...strange looking, there's this really long solid metal standoff which doesn't give me warm fuzzies in terms of shearing forces. the other end of the connection is totally fine though

    rear brake line on jacks.jpg





    ECS claims this fits the touring, and the new lines match the old lines' length pretty closely(see the q&a section of the above ecs link), maybe the standoff was just a cheap way for them to match length? i don't know


    braking test on jack stands is promising, pedal feel isn't any spongier than it was before and no leaks, pedal firms up perfectly when the car is off (another test for air in the lines)

    i'll update this as things get better or far worse.
    Last edited by joekitch; 02-12-2019 at 01:35 AM.
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  2. #2
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    got some awkward on-the-ground shots. the line doesn't look as pinched as i thought it would, but still

    really wish i could find some shots of touring brake lines while on the ground, for comparison


    rear brake line pinched 2.jpg

    rear brake line pinched 1.jpg
    Last edited by joekitch; 02-12-2019 at 01:34 AM.
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  3. #3
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    I thought I read that the ECS lines didn't fit the touring. Couple people couldn't get them to fit.


  4. #4
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    the documentation is sparse, confusing, and mostly outdated (3+ years old)
    the UUC ss lines specifically call out not for use on tourings
    several other aftermarket lines don't explicitly mention the touring but don't say they're just for sedans

    to make things even more confusing, here's a set of rears from ECS that look different, but don't explicitly mention if they're touring or sedan specific

    https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...027569ecs23~a/
    Last edited by joekitch; 02-05-2019 at 11:59 PM.
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  5. #5
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    Hm, sounds a little questionable. I used the Techna-Fit lines from FCP Euro and they matched the old rear lines perfectly in length and layout.
    1995 525i 5-speed - Thread

  6. #6
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    I think ECS had separate sedan and touring ss lines for sale,then they dropped the touring parts.
    I would call or email them to confirm they do indeed fit.


  7. #7
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    did a shakedown run last night, brake pedal feel is basically the same as before, not noticeable improvement sadly :/
    i'll contact ECS and continue to monitor


    to make things even more confusing, here's a comparison to the old line, they actually look quite similar in length?
    rear brake line comparison.jpg
    Last edited by joekitch; 02-12-2019 at 01:33 AM.
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  8. #8
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    When I shopped around, the ECS lines were only for the sedans, that’s why I got mine from FCP.
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  9. #9
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    Feedback direct from ecs just now;

    "Hello,

    After looking over the photos, it may look pinched but it is not. We have tested this kit on touring models and have had to other issues. Thank you "



    So looks like the answer is yes, with testing included.
    Still, I'm going to keep an eye on these things....
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  10. #10
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by joekitch View Post
    We have tested this kit on touring models and have had to other issues.
    We have had to other issues? Werrrt?

    We have had two other issues?
    We have had no other issues?
    We have had to otter tissues?

    - - - Updated - - -

    By the way I can't see any pictures here. Tried a few tricks, dunno what it is.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
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  11. #11
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    Yeah, that ecs reply is not a ringing endorsement.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post

    By the way I can't see any pictures here. Tried a few tricks, dunno what it is.
    no other issues, i make that typo occasionally too
    they're pasted from google photos
    do you have https://lh3.googleusercontent.com blocked by some adblock?
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  13. #13
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    I'm not seeing any pics either, Google isn't known for playing nice with forum software. I use imgur.com or postimages.org

    On your link, all I get is

    404. That’s an error.
    The requested URL / was not found on this server. That’s all we know.
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  14. #14
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    guess i'll need to download locally and attach to the post instead. rip
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  15. #15
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    and done, they should all be visible now
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  16. #16
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    When I went down this path in 4th Qtr, I could not find anyone who made the rear lines for a wagon that matched length and fit. If anyone finds some one post a link.

    Never mind found it: Techna-Fit 540 E39 wagon stainless lines F&R plus the short master lines under the hood!
    http://www.technafitstore.com/BMW-Br...p/bmw-1225.htm
    Last edited by StephenVA; 02-12-2019 at 11:33 AM.
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  17. #17
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by StephenVA View Post
    When I went down this path in 4th Qtr, I could not find anyone who made the rear lines for a wagon that matched length and fit. If anyone finds some one post a link.

    Never mind found it: Techna-Fit 540 E39 wagon stainless lines F&R plus the short master lines under the hood!
    http://www.technafitstore.com/BMW-Br...p/bmw-1225.htm
    In fact I think I might have those. Id have to check the records but that brand sounds right but purchased on sale via ECS or FCP or some other 3-letter acronym.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    In fact I think I might have those. Id have to check the records but that brand sounds right but purchased on sale via ECS or FCP or some other 3-letter acronym.
    request to pop your phone between the spokes of your rear wheel and snap a pic of the lines, to see how they sit when the car's on the ground

    i'm starting to suspect that this level of curvature on the line is totally normal and fine
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


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