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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > Brake pedal softness
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      12-25-2012, 12:13 AM   #1
RPM90
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Brake pedal softness

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There have been some comments about the F30's brakes feeling too soft, spongy, and lacking in feel.

My 335i Msport also has those negative attributes, and pretty much every other F30 I've driven has the same not so great brake feel.

Many descriptions make it sound like there may be air in the lines.
A few days ago I was testing out the brake pedal and noticed that when I come to a stop I can pump the pedal 3-4 times and the pedal feel FIRMS up.
This is odd as it indicates that maybe the brake booster is not providing proper pressure, especially for a firm feel with better modulation.

Try pumping your brake pedal while stopped and post what you feel.
Does the pedal firm up or stay the same?
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      12-25-2012, 06:39 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM90 View Post
A few days ago I was testing out the brake pedal and noticed that when I come to a stop I can pump the pedal 3-4 times and the pedal feel FIRMS up.
Completely normal.
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      12-25-2012, 07:34 PM   #3
jddssc121
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ZOMG it even happens in my wife's SUV. It must be contagious!
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      12-26-2012, 03:58 AM   #4
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Mine feels fine even at the track - instructor was saying that the sport mode function maybe making the brake pedal more sensitive as well. Lol. Even on taps it brakes hard. Maybe mine has no air bubbles?

I always seem to get lucky with cars out of the factory.
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      12-30-2012, 08:45 PM   #5
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I am not a fan of the brakes on this car. Not really mushy, but I don't feel the bite the way I would expect on a car of this caliber. I had chalked it up to the transition from the brembos on my Evo X, but seems others are making similar comments. I may try new brake pads this spring.
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      12-30-2012, 10:08 PM   #6
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Coming from an E46 M3 the brakes don't seem deficient at all.
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      12-31-2012, 12:17 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM90 View Post
There have been some comments about the F30's brakes feeling too soft, spongy, and lacking in feel.

My 335i Msport also has those negative attributes, and pretty much every other F30 I've driven has the same not so great brake feel.
My 335i M Sport has the factory installed M Sport brakes, with Brembo callipers front and rear (not available in USA, except as port-installed "M Performance brakes"). These brakes are flawless; powerful, progressive and so far, silent !
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      12-31-2012, 12:23 AM   #8
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BMW Brake Energy Regeneration

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...eneration.html
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      01-02-2013, 03:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS View Post
My 335i M Sport has the factory installed M Sport brakes, with Brembo callipers front and rear (not available in USA, except as port-installed "M Performance brakes"). These brakes are flawless; powerful, progressive and so far, silent !
I totally agree with this as well since my car also has the M Sport brakes. Brake feel is solid, not mushy at all.
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      01-02-2013, 11:03 AM   #10
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Initial application of brake force feels like it's proportional to brake pedal travel distance, rather than force applied to the pedal. Only after a certain distance of pedal travel does it feel like the pedal firms up.

Personally, I find it much easier to modulate braking force by modulation the force I'm putting on the pedal, as opposed to adjusting the position of the medal. Ideally I'd like a pedal that never, ever moves. (That's basically how my S2000 brakes feel.)

I don't know if this is by design or not (possibly the booster, or the lines, or the calipers, or...) One of these days I'll try my own fluid bleed in case air in the lines is the cause. And if that doesn't work and I'm feeling adventuresome I'll install some braided steel brake lines. (Which my S2000 has.)
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