So I used to drive a E36 M3, and I sold the car and bought the RL. One of the few things I realize and the one that really worries me is the brakes. Is it me or does the car have some horrible brakes? The car does not stop. I had to re teach myself to the point of braking with this car. The pedals are so mushy and it just does not bite. I realize it is a lot heavier car and all, but I think my brother Accord brakes better. I had the dealer put new pads and resurface the rotors but no difference. Humm. Let me know your experiences. Maybe I need to get an M5 or even a 545i, given I need a 4 dr car now.

 

If you're expecting a car that has regular street car brakes and weighs around 4000 pounds to brake like an M3, you're dreaming.

Plus, the Michelin tires are not that sticky and are the biggest contributor to poor braking performance. You'll get better braking just by swapping those for something like the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S or Pirelli P-Zero Nero.

 

Very funny when someone expect a regular sedan to behave like a sports car.

 

-car has tested brake distances basically on par with the direct competition

-tires suck and make the distances longer than they would be with better tires

-I find pushing the pedal to grab easily and better feel than many cars (read: mnay luxury cars) I have driven but not as good as my previous IS300 whihc is expected sicne that car was a lot lighter and it did have beter brakes regardless

 

I think the car brakes damn good for it's size/weight.

 

Hey a 545i brakes pretty dam well for its size. I am just curious on if the car feels mushy or not. And as I have said before I think my brother's Accord stops better. I am thinking about chaing out the brake lines with the goodridge SS lines. Has anyone tried that?

 

Haven't done it myself (yet) but have heard that stainless steel brake lines and synthetic brake fluid will dramatically firm up pedal feel.

 

That's funny because I think the E36 and E46 M3 brakes feel mushy and vague, especially in stock trim on the track. Especially so in the E36 where after a few hot laps, serious fade issues arise quite quickly due to poor ventilation and caliper/disk size.

The brakes on the RL do nicely for a 2 ton vehicle for 99% of the population, and like the above poster stated, you cannot compare the RL with a sports car or GT that weighs significantly less. I honestly think that the brakes on the RL are far more adequate for their intended task.

Like other Hondas, the RL also employs Brake Assist:

“Brake Assist helps drivers apply full braking pressure in an accident avoidance situation. To do so, a microprocessor continually analyzes and 'learns' the driver's normal braking habits-monitoring both the rate of pressure applied and the total pressure that the driver normally applies to the brake system.

If the driver suddenly applies the brakes, Brake Assist brings the system to full ABS activation to help stop the vehicle in the shortest distance possible. It is only activated when the microprocessor detects that certain brake pedal speed and pressure thresholds are reached.

Importantly, Brake Assist assists the driver in obtaining full braking performance in an emergency. The Brake Assist system deactivates when the driver releases pressure on the brake pedal.”

As for SS lines, unless you're planning on tracking your RL, I can’t imagine the oem lines could get exposed to so much heat that they'll expand. For fluids (DOT 3/4/5/5.1), I'd check with Honda first to see what can safely be used, but again, this may be total overkill just to get a 'firmer' pedal feel. Perhaps youre mistaking poor brake performance for lack of body and suspension stability and roll during heavy braking?

Anyways, I'd like to follow this thread to see what your outcome will be.

 

I'd try bleeding them, first.