E46 brakes lack bite

[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?

[nigzcurran]

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?

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

[Pentea]

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

[Venom]

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

[Chrispyfish]

Doubt braided lines would help?

Brakes on e36 are poo compared to the Skoda

[Nidgeweasel]

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

[John_D]

Doubt braided lines would help?

Brakes on e36 are poo compared to the Skoda

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.

[John_D]

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

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.

[Gar]

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

[John_D]

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

what was the gold paint you used Gar? hammerite?