So this is the second time this happened. First time it was on dry road when all of a sudden the car wouldnt brake, i stopped inches away from rear ending another car thaks to the e-brake which was the only method of braking at that time. Took the car to the dealer, they concluded the abs and the computer were to blame. After 2 days at the dealer they claimed they fixed the problem. Now last week it was raining i was crusing at highway speed , and again when i had to brake brakes just werent there for aobut 10 seconds. I was going 55 on wet road without any brakes. After that car brakes fine again. Service manager and mechanics are puzzled. But im scared for my life. Anyone have/had similar problems?
Almost crashed 2nd time due to faulty brakes.
- Thread starter tk330xi
- Start date
I bet if you listed what kind of car you drove it would help, besides it being one of many e46 models, years, etc. Funny, our 99 pontiac piece of shit minivan does the same thing on highways in the rain.
I'm almost positive it's a problem due to improper bedding in of new brake pads and rotors, since I've ONLY experienced it on cars who's pads/rotors were either cheap, or improperly bedded in. My 89 never has problems. I've driven through 8" deep puddles on back roads and my brakes worked just fine right away.
BTW Ebrake usually doesn't do a whole lot, try downshifting, it'll slow you down even faster. Or drive further away from people in front of you.
I'm almost positive it's a problem due to improper bedding in of new brake pads and rotors, since I've ONLY experienced it on cars who's pads/rotors were either cheap, or improperly bedded in. My 89 never has problems. I've driven through 8" deep puddles on back roads and my brakes worked just fine right away.
BTW Ebrake usually doesn't do a whole lot, try downshifting, it'll slow you down even faster. Or drive further away from people in front of you.
funny, your brakes are still mechanical not electrical. so, when you step on the pedal the pressure goes in the system by mechanical connection. it is not an electronical problem.
that could mean two things to me. either your break booster is faulty or the break line is bad. in the first case you have to put more effort into breaking as the power in your foot will not be boosted. the second option would require you pumping pressure into the system by pushing the pedal multiple times.
you said you brought the car in already. what did they do there? what did they fix?
this wet-breaking-problem is already known. the E36 didn´t have it (at least not with me) but now the E46 comes up with it. It takes an instant to get the brakes dry until they start working properly. but we´re not talking 10 seconds here. maybe 1, maximum 1,5 seconds.
anyway, the problem you have is a "NO-DRIVE"!!!! don´t take the car anymore. this is almost a guarantee for a fatal accident. do you still have guarantee on the car? the dealer has to take care of it. if not, you have to. this way you endanger everyone around you.
that could mean two things to me. either your break booster is faulty or the break line is bad. in the first case you have to put more effort into breaking as the power in your foot will not be boosted. the second option would require you pumping pressure into the system by pushing the pedal multiple times.
you said you brought the car in already. what did they do there? what did they fix?
this wet-breaking-problem is already known. the E36 didn´t have it (at least not with me) but now the E46 comes up with it. It takes an instant to get the brakes dry until they start working properly. but we´re not talking 10 seconds here. maybe 1, maximum 1,5 seconds.
anyway, the problem you have is a "NO-DRIVE"!!!! don´t take the car anymore. this is almost a guarantee for a fatal accident. do you still have guarantee on the car? the dealer has to take care of it. if not, you have to. this way you endanger everyone around you.
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I would DEMAND they replace all 4 rotors and pads, the entire ABS system, and the brakeline and fluid along with all associated parts immediately or I would threaten to file a lawsuit since that cars a hazard on the road. I would also demand a loaner and keep it until they fix the car, what you are describing is just crazy...
Is this why they keep making such a big deal about the feature on the E90 that applies light pressure to the pads occasionally to keep them dry? I didn't realize it was such a crucial item, I thought it was a gimmick to take a foot or two off of wet stopping distance (though I have been in situations where the foot or two meant the difference between near-miss and impact ![[eek]](/images/smilies/eek.png "EEK! [eek]")
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) Lol why becuase there's a lack friction/heat being created becuase there is a ton of water in the way? BMW will hire an engineer or physicist and nothing will hapen.
I'm tellin ya!! He replaces his pads and rotors, flushes the brake fluid, and beds the pads in the proper way, he won't have the problem.
I'm tellin ya!! He replaces his pads and rotors, flushes the brake fluid, and beds the pads in the proper way, he won't have the problem.
How about BMW built defective brakes, and they are liable for everyones safety being jeopardized. I specifically suggested exactly what you just mentioned, along with replacing the abs since the DEALER STATED IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. BMW can hire an engineer and an attorney to settle his lawsuit if they don't immediately solve the aforementioned problem. It isn't funny, and he doesn't need to replace anything; BMW does.