[soilent]

And how do I fix it? This car has the most sensitive brakes of any car I've ever driven and it's the one thing I largely dislike about driving the vehicle. I can literally rest the weight of my toe on the brake pedal and it's enough to make the car dive forward. What can I do to fix this and get a firmer/heavier feel? It's actually making city driving (which is basically all I do) rather unenjoyable, and I bought this car so I could enjoy driving again! Can I turn down the brake booster or something? Get stainless lines? Give me some ideas. These brakes are driving me crazy!

[Fraysa]

What car did you drive before?

Some cars have more sensitive brakes than others.

[Shovelman]

My 2017, 230 has excellent brakes. Maybe it's the pads and the N'orleans humidity. A previous owner may have installed some 'magical' pads. OEM pads may fix it.

[kz1000]

My '21 230i's brakes are firm and progressive. When I changed rear pads @ 35K miles & front pads @ 40K miles, I didn't need rotors.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by soilent

And how do I fix it? This car has the most sensitive brakes of any car I've ever driven and it's the one thing I largely dislike about driving the vehicle. I can literally rest the weight of my toe on the brake pedal and it's enough to make the car dive forward. What can I do to fix this and get a firmer/heavier feel? It's actually making city driving (which is basically all I do) rather unenjoyable, and I bought this car so I could enjoy driving again! Can I turn down the brake booster or something? Get stainless lines? Give me some ideas. These brakes are driving me crazy!

You seem to be describing the initial bite of the brake pads. Check to see if they are OEM or replacements. As Shovelman mentioned above, bringing them back to OEM if they have been changed may be a solution. Stainless lines are not the issue and would likely only exacerbate the issue as without expansion of the lines, hydraulic pressure would be transmitted even more quickly (although likely such a minor difference, you might not notice).

[John in VA]

I rarely get to drive our F22 (E39 is my daily) but when I do the first few stops are like you describe - I'm ready for my face to go through the windshield! You get used to it.

[gjm120]

I think it's the difference in initial bite of oe vs a ceramic pad. My 230i has OE pads and they bite. (dust is bad). I put Akebono's on my 128i and it's quite different. Not much initial bite, especially when cold.

Not going to change the 230i pads until they wear, but I think I like the less dust less initial bite of the Akebono's.

[soilent]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

You seem to be describing the initial bite of the brake pads. Check to see if they are OEM or replacements. As Shovelman mentioned above, bringing them back to OEM if they have been changed may be a solution. Stainless lines are not the issue and would likely only exacerbate the issue as without expansion of the lines, hydraulic pressure would be transmitted even more quickly (although likely such a minor difference, you might not notice).

Yes, the initial bite is what gets me. It's not so much that it grabs so hard, it's just that it takes almost no pressure to get them to grab. I feel like I have to drive so gingerly around town so I don't snap my neck, and it's almost impossible to get a smooth stop. They have like 60% of the grab in the first 1 inch or travel and it only takes two pounds of pressure to get them there.

I just bought this car used from the dealer and I know they did a brake flush. Is it possible they put too much fluid and/or didn't bleed the lines? I'm not exaggerating when I say I only need to rest my toe on the pedal to get it to bite hard.

[soilent]

Originally Posted by gjm120

I think it's the difference in initial bite of oe vs a ceramic pad. My 230i has OE pads and they bite. (dust is bad). I put Akebono's on my 128i and it's quite different. Not much initial bite, especially when cold.

Not going to change the 230i pads until they wear, but I think I like the less dust less initial bite of the Akebono's.

Yeah, I bought the car used, but it only had 35k on it and one owner. I assume it's probably the stock pads, but they are starting to squeak already, so maybe I should get new pads. The dealer did a brake flush before I bought the car, is it possible they refilled the fluid incorrectly?

[soilent]

Originally Posted by Fraysa

What car did you drive before?

Some cars have more sensitive brakes than others.

I've had 2016 and 2022 BRZ, and 2016 and 2022 Mazda 3. I also rented an M240i for a week about a year ago and do not recall the brakes being this sensitive. All of my other cars had a much firmer and more progressive brake pedal. This car by far has the most sensitive brakes I've ever felt and it takes next to no pressure to get them to bite HARD.

[leftoverture]

Sounds like something is definitely wrong with your braking system. Take it to you favorite mechanic and have the issue properly diagnosed. All we can give you are opinions and our experiences but your issue could be different.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by soilent

Yeah, I bought the car used, but it only had 35k on it and one owner. I assume it's probably the stock pads, but they are starting to squeak already, so maybe I should get new pads. The dealer did a brake flush before I bought the car, is it possible they refilled the fluid incorrectly?

Yep probably are stock pads given the low mileage. You have any way to drive another 230i of same age or get someone who knows how BMW's brakes feel to drive yours? If you are not used to the initial bite of stock pads and rotors, it might feel wrong.

[Shovelman]

Most likely a problem with the pads or discs. Can't see how it could be a fluid problem.