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The four hardlines on the underside of my car are a bit beat up and have some surface rust on them. I’d like to have them replaced for peace of mind and safety. How hard is it to replace these lines? I know 1 is a brake line and two of them, I believe, are fuel lines, but what is the fourth one for?
Sorry if I sound like a 'tard. I’m new to bimmers and the Bentley manual doesn’t quite make it clear to me.
No tard. I do 90% of the work on my car - I am taking this one to a pro.
The lines are sold "by the meter" - you need to bend and flare them to install.
I ain’t doing it… Brakes are not one of those things I mess with. I did the stainless flex lines, pads, rotors, bleed and even rebuilt the calipers. I definatly want someone who knows what they are doing to have this one…
I bought a roller that had no brake or fuel lines going back. I had no trouble removing them from my donar car and reinstalling them on the roller. Maybe I just got lucky but it was really easy. Chris at Bimmerparts.com said you can get the lines new from the dealer and they aren’t real expensive. No bending required. Good luck.
I was assured that the part needed to be bent! Damn it. If it comes bent and flared, that should not be too ugly a job. The part number is "PIPE M10/M10-3120MM 34-32-6-755-686 for only $16.18!
Now that I look at it, M10-M10 must be the M10 fittings on the ends. I think you’re right, Jonny. If you are, this is a no brainer…
John - I agree with your assessment and Johnny’s comments. I have actually manufactured lines from raw brake line tubing, using the original as a template and it is not that difficult. If you can get the lines that cheap, go for it. You might want to invest in a set of good brake line open-end wrenches to keep from rounding out any of the fittings. Best of luck - Ed
Hey Ed,
You my friend, are way ahead of me on the fabing the lines thing. I wouldn’t even think of it. Man has to know his limitations 
I have the flare wrenches, I was more concerned about getting a spool of tube that I would invariably pinch, screw up the flares, and end up with 1/4" too short. Being covered in brake fluid is not that bad.
I’ve been good about knowing my limitations on this build. I farmed out welding and painting, but the rest we (wife and I) have done (except for the auto to manual conversion). I wish we’d farmed out the cutoff/kill switch install, but I am now an expert in installation and theory on the subject
John - I hear ya. I have messed up quite a few lines, but had to do it out of a necessity for some old british cars I restored where lines were not available. Being able to get new lines is one of the great things about working on the e30 - most stuff is available and reasonable priced. I spent a day on my kill switch as well, but glad I did it.
Ed
jblack wrote:
I was assured that the part needed to be bent! Damn it. If it comes bent and flared, that should not be too ugly a job. The part number is "PIPE M10/M10-3120MM 34-32-6-755-686 for only $16.18!
Now that I look at it, M10-M10 must be the M10 fittings on the ends. I think you’re right, Jonny. If you are, this is a no brainer…[/quote]FWIW,
I ordered the "pipe" for the clutch line from the firewall to the rubber line down below and the part id bent about 90 degrees but the replacement part was straight…I have to bend it myself BUT it is a nice double flared with fittings…
Guys, bending these lines is not that hard. Go to Autozone or wherever and buy a length to try it on. A tubing bender helps but isn’t always necessary. I usually stick a piece of pipe in my bench vise and just bend the tube incrementally around that if the ‘real tool’ won’t do what I need. These lines are generally pretty forgiving. Just don’t bend them with your bare hands without something to bend them around or you’ll kink them. And stainless is too hard to work with; harder to bend and more brittle. The hardest part is flaring the ends, which takes the ‘special tool’ (not expensive) but does require a few practice shots to get it right. I actually enjoy making these anymore. B)
I’m going to order the pipe tomorrow. I’ll report back. I am renewed with your faith in my mechanical skills.
You enjoy making them? How far away are you from Tampa?
Thanks!