What are the common brake upgrades?

[e30rotorhead]

New to the e30 world. What are the typical brake upgrades that are available. I've been driving g new cars too long, and the e30 brakes seem a bit mushy.

[turbo55]

Mushy brakes usually means there is some air in the lines (which is compressible), bleed the brakes to get any bubbles out. Also, the flexible brake lines (6 total) could be old and swelling under pressure, also contributing to mushiness. You can replace them with stainless steel braided ones.

[jlevie]

Unless you know that the brake fluid has been changed in the last two years, a full flush and bleed is recommended. See http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...83&postcount=5

As to upgrades, the OE pads are better than generics and a High Performance Street is better than either. After seeing several SS line failures (using high quality parts) I went back to the OE lines on my Spec E30. There is no real advantage to SS over OE lines other than bling. Given the age of the car, rebuilding the calipers and new OE soft lines is highly recommended.

[MrBurgundy]

+1 To new OEM lines, flush, bleed.

[kaygeee]

I switched from OE brake lines to stainless only because they were less expensive. There's no real advantage other than the price. In fact, the OE lines fail much less violently and are easier to check. Assuming you don't have your wheels off regularly for inspection, OE is safer.

If you're planning on needing high performance brakes my suggestions would be to properly duct the air from your scoops (in the front valence) to your rotors/calipers, use performance pads, and use a little titanium backing plate between the caliper and the pad to reduce thermal conduction