£700 quote for corroded brake pipes

S

SuperCoupe

Member
I took my E86 in to get some new wheels + non-runflat Tyres our on recently, and the garage said all the brake pipes were heavily corroded, and that it won’t pass the MoT in August as it is.

All fine, but he’s quoted £700 for the job as it’s apparently very labour intensive. That seems nutty to me and I’ve seen people on the Facebook groups saying they’ve had it done for between £70 and £200. Am I being ripped off? If so can anyone recommend a sensible garage in / near bournemouth?

Thanks!
Jack
 
I've heard it can be done cheaper by changing the routing of the pipes, so you don't have to drop the subframe etc.

Depends if you want it done back completely OEM spec, or just done to pass the MOT I guess...
 
Did mine myself for £55 Inc the flaring tool I used kumifere pipe and threaded through the original mounts I am based Manchester area most of the time
 
I have heard it said that OE pre-formed steel pipes may require dropping the rear subframe to feed through the rigid pipe sections. So yes, there would be a fair few hours labour involved in this.

It can be done in copper pipe and made/bent to suit in situ, saving the need to drop the subframe and making it much cheaper. Apparently pure copper is not up to modern ABS braking systems, but Cunifer (copper nickel alloy) is ok and will not corrode like the OE steel pipes.

I had cunifer pipes fitted and the whole job cost me £150. That’s the front to back sections and the rear side to sides (not flexi pipes). I can’t recommend anyone local to you, but shop around, it can be done. No way should you be paying £700!
 
ErrErrminator said:
Apparently pure copper is not up to modern ABS braking systems, but Cunifer (copper nickel alloy)
Click to expand...

I was looking into alternatives myself as know copper has the weakness u describe - thanks for recommendation
 
Jembo said:
ErrErrminator said:
Apparently pure copper is not up to modern ABS braking systems, but Cunifer (copper nickel alloy)
Click to expand...

I was looking into alternatives myself as know copper has the weakness u describe - thanks for recommendation
Click to expand...

I’m no expert on such matters, but going on what I was advised and what I know many other owners have had fitted.

I’m sure BMW main dealers would advise against this, saying only use OE at huge expense, but I was more than happy with the job done, the price and the fact they won’t corrode again.
 
ErrErrminator said:
Jembo said:
ErrErrminator said:
Apparently pure copper is not up to modern ABS braking systems, but Cunifer (copper nickel alloy)
Click to expand...

I was looking into alternatives myself as know copper has the weakness u describe - thanks for recommendation
Click to expand...

I’m no expert on such matters, but going on what I was advised and what I know many other owners have had fitted.

I’m sure BMW main dealers would advise against this, saying only use OE at huge expense, but I was more than happy with the job done, the price and the fact they won’t corrode again.
Click to expand...

We’re not saying pure copper won’t work which I believe you are saying others have had fitted.

Instead it won’t have the same level of technical capabilities as OEM & knowing how fussy insurance companies are in the event of a claim is not a conversation I would like to have.
 
The guy I bought mine off said he had a similar quote of £700 to change the brake lines.

Mine were not bad enough to fail the MOT (advisory only). They have been covered in grease to slow the corrosion.

Is yours possible to rub them down and coat in lithium grease?

Seems a common problem and would be worth stating some Indy's that could change the brake lines for less than £700 if folks know?
 
I had this done, and it was about £600 all in, with genuine parts at an independent specialist (CPC). As said a very labour intensive job which is most of the cost.
 
My rear brake pipes will require replacement for peace of mind etc

I will try and make a how I did it, as it is not hard to do if you have a trade or engineering background and the confidence in your own work.
 
I wouldn't want to pay that OP!

My Z4 had advisories for them 2 years running - but they tend to corrode worst just behind the end of the covers (mire or less under the passenger seat) so access to grease or Hammerite them isn't easy.

I happened to be going to Cheshire so DLV replaced both of mine for £100 - result! :D

I had spoken to my regular BMW Indy about it, but he only uses OEM pipes and because they are pre-shaped the only way to get the offside one across the car is to drop the fuel tank. :?

But using copper or kunifer you can poke the pipe through the brackets and then shape it after, which is how mine were done.

That's the sort of job where you need someone a bit more "old-school" who'll fabricate them, rather than just wanting to replace with OEM parts.
 
My guy charged me £150 I think and I purchased the lines from bmw. It was a couple of years ago though. He’s moved out of the trade though now so will have to find s new Indy,
 
We use copper pipe for air conditioning and pressure test to over 500 psi, so cant see why copper cant be used. The flexible hoses would have long gone bang before the copper brake pipes give grief. Cunifer is great but is more stiff to bend that copper. Worth also buying a pipe bender for brake pipes for about a tenner as gives good flowing bends rather than sharp kinks which could reduce fluid flow.
 
Why on earth would you want to replace them with crappy steel oem ones that are a nightmare to fit and will just corrode again in a few years. Copper or kunifer are the way to go. The potential insurance issues are nonsense.... garages have been replacing brake pipes in copper for decades.
 
Pure copper is fragile and prone to cracking, most after market pipes are kunifer now which is a much better copper alloy.... And don't be tempted to hide it by cleaning them up and greasing them I have had pipes disintegrate that looked ok on the outside!
 
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