Do your brakes feel "spongy?"

milo22 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2006, 02:07 PM

Do any of you have a "spongy" feel with your brakes when you depress the pedal? This car is #299 still fairly new with 600 miles. I believe it has been this way from the start. There are no visible leaks from the wheel cylinders and the car dose stop but I just have that feeling like I have volkswagen bug brakes and they could go at anytime. I'm wondering if one of these heat shields would make a difference maybe it's the heat. Once in while The master cylinder will drip like one drop on the headers but it's not leaking it's just not completely dry around the entire thing. Should I try to bleed the entire system-what do you think?

Thanks for your time
Mike

round_midnight · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2006, 02:48 PM

I have owned numerous BMWs, and now a BDR, and I have always thought the brakes have a spongy feel. I think its in the master cylinder design. I've never really investigated it, though.

mgiannetto · #3 (**permalink**) 04-02-2006, 06:35 AM

Mike,

I own #327 and I too felt the brakes were soft (I purchased new). I had Jay at Vintage replace the rotors and brakes and the problem is solved. It is much better now. They used Brembo drilled and slotted rotors along with a more aggressive ceramic pad. Price was reasonable.

Regards,

Mike

madmaxx · #4 (**permalink**) 04-02-2006, 06:47 AM

I had a BDR with standard brakes. They always performed flawlessly. No spongy feel etc. If any issues at all, sometimes the front would lock before the rear, other times all 4 would lock. I always preferred to save the clutch. Bleed your brakes, make sure you do not have any vacuum leaks. Also when you stop is your car idling/running smooth. Remeber the booster uses vacuum off the engine so if you engine is stumbling when you stop then your brakes might feel funny since the engine vacuum is dropping.

JayBar · #5 (**permalink**) 01-22-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgiannetto

Mike,
They used Brembo drilled and slotted rotors along with a more aggressive ceramic pad.
Mike

I got a question. Which direction do the slots face, forward or rearward? And does it matter. I have heard some comments about the direction of the internal fins matters when fitting a rotor, but I don't see any difference in the internal fins.

hawaiicobra · #6 (**permalink**) 01-23-2007, 08:03 PM

I have #419 and I only have about 850miles on her but never noticed a problem.But after reading your post I went out today and ran her pretty hard to double check braking.I had no problems, the pedal is very firm and stops fast and straight with no locking up.I know they are always improving little things on the cars as they go.Maybe the mastercylinder and/or pads etc. has been one of them.