abs delete? worth it?

[nando]

People don't know how to use ABS. it's designed for improved cornering while braking - it was never meant to improve stopping distances. and with a functioning E30 ABS system, you can still threshold brake just fine.

I'd like to see somebody threshold brake the front left, front right and rear wheels independently. oh wait..

[nrubenstein]

Out of curiosity, those of you that hate your e30 ABS should post current tire, tire age, and tread depth.

I'm just curious. Mine is awesome, but so are my tires. You can't phool fysiks.

I like ABS, even on the red car. It's got '05 era Blizzak WS-50s on it year round and a complete absence of wet traction. (It's a spare car, so new tires aren't really a priority.)

[u3b3rg33k]

Out of curiosity, those of you that hate your e30 ABS should post current tire, tire age, and tread depth.

I'm just curious. Mine is awesome, but so are my tires. You can't phool fysiks.

[Stoner Sam23]

It's supposed to let off the brakes because if it didn't your tires would stop turning and the rubber will skid across the top of the asphalt until you smack the car, the curb, or the tree.

What it's not supposed to do is fail to slow you down at all. That's asinine and clearly broken.
It's also not supposed to magically work without any kind of maintenance for decades. But how often have you been under there cleaning and inspecting and lubing your braking system?

I mean here you have in your hands a high performance engine in a tiny, sporty coupe, but neglecting the thing that prevents you from colliding with other vehicles and whatever else--your brakes. And rather than figure out why this matchbox car isn't stopping on a dime you're arguing to rip out one of modern vehicular safety's greatest accomplishments--ABS.


If you disconnect this system and still don't bother rebuilding your calipers and making sure everything is sealing properly and lubed up, the best case scenario is that you'll lock your wheels where you previously weren't slowing down. So even if you are not slowing down at all because of a malfunctioning or primitive ABS, you still scared the crap out of yourself, yanked the wheel around the thing you were barreling into, and slowed down for the rest of your drive home. That's far better than slamming into something, don't you think?


You can this for yourselves in an empty parking lot.
Try it with the ABS and then try it with the ABS unplugged.

You are correct I have never maintained my brake system other than keeping the fluid topped off and the occasional pad change. Most likely the PO didn't either. In my opinion ABS is not necessary, the car will stop without it. I'm not going to fix something that isn't needed so I will entertain the idea of removing it entirely.

[FunfGan]

I mean here you have in your hands a high performance engine in a tiny, sporty coupe, but neglecting the thing that prevents you from colliding with other vehicles and whatever else--your brakes. And rather than figure out why this matchbox car isn't stopping on a dime you're arguing to rip out one of modern vehicular safety's greatest accomplishments--ABS.

lulz.

Somebody has sure been hit from behind too many times...

[smooth]

It's supposed to let off the brakes because if it didn't your tires would stop turning and the rubber will skid across the top of the asphalt until you smack the car, the curb, or the tree.

What it's not supposed to do is fail to slow you down at all. That's asinine and clearly broken.
It's also not supposed to magically work without any kind of maintenance for decades. But how often have you been under there cleaning and inspecting and lubing your braking system?

I mean here you have in your hands a high performance engine in a tiny, sporty coupe, but neglecting the thing that prevents you from colliding with other vehicles and whatever else--your brakes. And rather than figure out why this matchbox car isn't stopping on a dime you're arguing to rip out one of modern vehicular safety's greatest accomplishments--ABS.


If you disconnect this system and still don't bother rebuilding your calipers and making sure everything is sealing properly and lubed up, the best case scenario is that you'll lock your wheels where you previously weren't slowing down. So even if you are not slowing down at all because of a malfunctioning or primitive ABS, you still scared the crap out of yourself, yanked the wheel around the thing you were barreling into, and slowed down for the rest of your drive home. That's far better than slamming into something, don't you think?


You can this for yourselves in an empty parking lot.
Try it with the ABS and then try it with the ABS unplugged.

[Stoner Sam23]

I do know how Northern feels because apparently my ABS is malfunctioning as well. It does feel like when it kicks in it lets off the brakes.

[nrubenstein]

Honestly, I don't know what car everyone else is driving, but I have an e30. And when I'm braking, and I get to the threshold where ABS kicks in I get scared because I stop decelerating.

I've even gone out of the way to use ABS "properly" by not lifting off the brake when it activates, but the car just ceases to slow down at any reasonable speed.

I understand the benefits of ABS, but ABS has come a long ways since the 80s, and the ABS on our cars is completely obsolete compared to a modern ABS system.

The day will come when I ditch my ABS, the only question is when.

This means that your system is not working properly.

I mean, sure, compared to my E46 M3's system, the E30 ABS is absolutely primitive. It can't pulse as often and the three channel nature is arguably more primitive. (In reality, there isn't a real advantage to four channel ABS other than as part of traction control.) But, uh, it works quite well.

[smooth]

Honestly, I don't know what car everyone else is driving, but I have an e30. And when I'm braking, and I get to the threshold where ABS kicks in I get scared because I stop decelerating.

I've even gone out of the way to use ABS "properly" by not lifting off the brake when it activates, but the car just ceases to slow down at any reasonable speed.

I understand the benefits of ABS, but ABS has come a long ways since the 80s, and the ABS on our cars is completely obsolete compared to a modern ABS system.

The day will come when I ditch my ABS, the only question is when.

The only thing remotely true in this post is that your brakes are apparently malfunctioning.

But that's got nothing to do with the design of an E30's ABS system.

Out of curiosity what do you think when you write that the ABS system is primitive?
What does that mean to you when you write it?

[Jonny Cash]

I'd love a write up. With my e30 being a daily driver, it would be nice for this to be a weekend project.

Heres how i did it. Used the splitter from the rear lines.

[FunfGan]

Honestly, I don't know what car everyone else is driving, but I have an e30. And when I'm braking, and I get to the threshold where ABS kicks in I get scared because I stop decelerating.

I've even gone out of the way to use ABS "properly" by not lifting off the brake when it activates, but the car just ceases to slow down at any reasonable speed.

I understand the benefits of ABS, but ABS has come a long ways since the 80s, and the ABS on our cars is completely obsolete compared to a modern ABS system.

The day will come when I ditch my ABS, the only question is when.

Easiest way is to just pull the plug.

[Northern]

Honestly, I don't know what car everyone else is driving, but I have an e30. And when I'm braking, and I get to the threshold where ABS kicks in I get scared because I stop decelerating.

I've even gone out of the way to use ABS "properly" by not lifting off the brake when it activates, but the car just ceases to slow down at any reasonable speed.

I understand the benefits of ABS, but ABS has come a long ways since the 80s, and the ABS on our cars is completely obsolete compared to a modern ABS system.

The day will come when I ditch my ABS, the only question is when.

[george graves]

I know this is a touchy subject with some, but every one of my e30's have abs removed. All that needs to be done is the removal of the unit, computer, etc, as well as the lines that go to the soft lines for the front calipers. Then, rebend lines for the front two, and t those into the front fitting on the master. Then a short line to the valve leading to the rear and that's it.

Honestly, the pedal feel is incredible, especially with ss brake lines. However, I would say that certain weather conditions do not warrant a car without abs.

Max

I'd love a write up. With my e30 being a daily driver, it would be nice for this to be a weekend project.

[FunfGan]

That probably says more about the brake pads you are using than the tires/wheels. With appropriate pads, an E30 can lock up r-comps in the dry. R-comps have way more grip than any street tire. So if you can't get into ABS, your pads aren't providing enough friction.

I did get new pads a month or so before I took her off the road, so maybe that was the issue? I'm searching for a bbk now.

[broke30]

I know this is a touchy subject with some, but every one of my e30's have abs removed. All that needs to be done is the removal of the unit, computer, etc, as well as the lines that go to the soft lines for the front calipers. Then, rebend lines for the front two, and t those into the front fitting on the master. Then a short line to the valve leading to the rear and that's it.

Honestly, the pedal feel is incredible, especially with ss brake lines. However, I would say that certain weather conditions do not warrant a car without abs.

Max