E46 brakes lack bite

After driving my wife's passat on and off for the past few months I feel my en brakes lack any sort of bite at all.
They stop the car with no fuss and the pedal feels fine, no sinking.
Rear pads textar about a year or so old.
Front pads mintex at least 5/6 years since I replaced then but plenty of material still on them(6-7mm)

Fluid was changed 2/3 years ago, brakes bled last year when I replaced rear pipe. No leaks, fluid level not dropping.

Am I looking at a dodgy master cylinder? Or is it just how they are?
Am I just unfairly comparing them to a more modern brake setup?
Do pads expire with age?

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Originally Posted by John_D

After driving my wife's passat on and off for the past few months I feel my en brakes lack any sort of bite at all.
They stop the car with no fuss and the pedal feels fine, no sinking.
Rear pads textar about a year or so old.
Front pads mintex at least 5/6 years since I replaced then but plenty of material still on them(6-7mm)

Fluid was changed 2/3 years ago, brakes bled last year when I replaced rear pipe. No leaks, fluid level not dropping.

Am I looking at a dodgy master cylinder? Or is it just how they are?
Am I just unfairly comparing them to a more modern brake setup?
Do pads expire with age?

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it would be worth replacin the front pads anyhow, i got a set of mintex for about 30 quid, the brakes in my e46 are rock solid and as good as any new car imo

All vag brakes feel like that , i have the same feeling on my e60 , fluid and pads ,rotors changed in last 3 months , all ATE , maybe it's just the vag setup ? And i whould change the front pads just because of all the hot/cold cycle in over 5 years , maybe that's an issue for the pads

Even herself 's old golf felt better on the breaks than my e36 just different I guess

Doubt braided lines would help?

Brakes on e36 are poo compared to the Skoda ;)

I've a set of e46 M3 discs, and braided lines here, would they be an improvement ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chrispyfish

Doubt braided lines would help?

Brakes on e36 are poo compared to the Skoda ;)

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Im not sure they would to be honest, as its just the initial bite and not when the pressure is on. but I will check the hoses for cracks and other nasties when I get a chance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nidgeweasel

I've a set of e46 M3 discs, and braided lines here, would they be an improvement ;)

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Id say they would alright, unfortunately ///M brakes on a Non M are not a simple swap.

I`m prob gonna look out for the larger caliper carriers from a 325/328 and upgrade to 300mm discs and new pads...
cheap and cheerful upgrade considering i`ll prob be needing new discs anyway.

Will 330i calipers bolt on they look savage amd definitely increase stopping power [emoji41]

Yeah they would but then I'd have to buy new calipers too, the 328i 300mm upgrade is way cheaper as it uses the same calipers as the 318i :D

what was the gold paint you used Gar? hammerite?