my 318IS wont stop! any ABS gurus? feels like brake fade

[autonerd]

so i got into a small fender bender two weeks ago because my brakes are acting really weird. i can modulate the brakes fine until about 2/3rds of the way to 'standing on it', but in the last 1/3rd of pedal travel (the 'stop now dammit' zone) it feels as if the brakes stay at a consistent pressure which is obviously not enough to lock up the tires or engage the ABS pulsing action. its almost as if i have permanent/consistent brake fade no matter how hard i push (and im talking bend the firewall pushing). All this, and no ABS light.
so, this weekend, i installed some SS brake lines (with the reservoir sealed to keep air from going back up into the ABS valvage), resurfaced the rotors, checked all the guide pins and pistons, and pressure bled the system X4. now the problem seems to be even more pronounced and theres a clicking noise/knock coming from the right side. brakes do get hot after a few pedal-stands. but still just shitty performance.
i see even pad material transfered to all rotors
any clues or things i should check? im actually considering taking this in to the 'stealer-ship.

[PiercedE30]

do you get enough brake assist? if not might want to check the booster.

[autonerd]

i depressed the pedal then started the car and the pedal goes down a little every time. it feels like something hydraulic, as if the ABS is stuck in the release part of its modulation slightly.

[e304me]

i have this too. I think it might actaully be the abs enguaging though

[mattdk318i]

check your wheel speed sensors.

[atomic]

not sure if the "stealer-ship" can fix driver error !! LOL j/k check your wheel speed sensors and even might be master cylinder or abs pump/control unit or driver error or take it to a reputable brake shop and not the stealership

[autonerd]

speed sensors? the ABS isnt kicking in prematurely or failing to work. its just a lack of clamping force. there's also no fault and i verified the ABS indicator is working.
I cant bring myself to let anyone else but BMW and myself work on my brakes even though im gonna get peepee raped at the register. if it was non-ABS, I doubt i'd be having this problem. but for my 300-mile weekly commute in LA traffic, its a must.

[autonerd]

well, after bedding the crap out of the brakes and letting them cool overnight, braking is better than before. i still like the pedal feel of my gf's XB and my old MKIV Jetta better though. does anyone else feel the E30 brakes are a bit soft? maybe my mind will change once i get some better pads in. these ones are just poopoo.

also after tons of hard braking, we found the pass/front the source of the clicking/knocking. ball joints look good, but boots look recently torn. found the control arm bushing (under passenger's feet) was busted. could this be the cause of the clunking w/speed? IE sells for $90 or so, are the M3 offset units worth it for a fun daily driver?

[jtb_29]

Have you checked to see if the brake pedal has been adjusted? The rod can be adjusted and if someone adjusted it improperly it could make the rod not fully engage in the master cylinder meaning that you are not getting full clamping force at the calipers. Just a thought.

[autonerd]

Have you checked to see if the brake pedal has been adjusted? The rod can be adjusted and if someone adjusted it improperly it could make the rod not fully engage in the master cylinder meaning that you are not getting full clamping force at the calipers. Just a thought.

no, haven't checked but I will this weekend. thx!

[fretburnr]

does anyone else feel the E30 brakes are a bit soft?

not at all - my pedal is firm enough for my tastes, and I can go to full lockup at speed.

[xLibelle]

your pads could suck completely but i'm with piercede30 on this.
the way you can tell if its a vacuum leak is remove the line going to the booster. if you feel little or no change, theres something wrong. you may even be able to hear a hissing sound from the booster while the engine is on.

when building an e30 from scratch, i didnt have provisions for a vacuum line to the booster yet, took it for a spin and couldnt understand what was wrong with the components i installed because i had to really push hard to get it to stop. hooking up that line made it COMPLETELY different!!

[86espowa]

does anyone else feel the E30 brakes are a bit soft?

Nah i have stock rotors and pads, and my car will lockup will little to no extreme effort.check your booster, it is probably bad. or going bad.