Not as hard as it used to be (my brake pedal). What is normal?

[Ramps]

I just wanted to get some input on what is normal since I've only driven my X5. It's a 2014 x35i and I've had it for 2.5 years. When I first get in the car the brake pedal is hard, when I start the engine it softens up. I always use the e-brake and when I engage the e-brake I'd get a pulse in the brake pedal, almost like haptic feedback...not sure if it's designed to pulse like that or if it's just a result of the electric e-brake engaging.

Anyway...I had the rear pads and rotors replaced and the fluid flushed and the pedal feels soft now all the time, soft before the engine is started, no pulse feeling when I engage the e-brake. It seems to stop ok and ABS engages on snow covered roads fine. I am assuming there's a bit of air in the system somewhere but I wanted to see what all of your brake pedals feel like before you start the engine...is firm normal? Do you feel a pulse in the brake pedal ever when using the e-brake?

Thanks!

[Grobian]

On both our i3 and X5 25d I can feel the brake pedal move outwards when I engage the electronic parking brake.

Sometimes the brake pedal is hard when I get into the car to start it, but not very hard. When it softens up upon starting the engine it is a sign that the brake booster engages as it should.

Try "pumping" the brake pedal before you start. Does it give a hard response, and then soften up when you start the engine?

[Keithwand]

Thought mine felt the same after a brake fluid replacement. Told there was no way to have air In the system.
Different dealer thought a little soft so changed fluid again.
Really didn’t see much difference.

[turboawd]

With the car off, press the pedal a few times to relieve the vacuum pressure in the booster. The pedal should then get very firm.

[Ramps]

Ok if I pump the brakes with the car off, the first pump the pedal almost goes to the floor, and after about 3-4 pumps the pedal firms up. Not as firm as it used to be on the first press that you do just to push the start button.

Wondering, when they changes the rotors could the e-brake not be adjusted properly now and have something to do with pedal feel with the e-brake engaged? Although general driving the pedal feels softer than it used to.

[Rydogg21]

You're just getting older, it happens to the best of us but they have meds now that will make your pedal as firm as a rock! Goodluck!

[turboawd]

Isn't the e brake a completely separate system? A mini drum on the rear rotors?

[Ramps]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Isn't the e brake a completely separate system? A mini drum on the rear rotors?

You are correct, I just looked it up on Real OEM and it is similar to my M3 except it's a servo unit pulling the cables instead of a 'hand brake'...so I guess that likely rules that out. I don't see how that unit would cause a pulse in the hydraulic system on engagement or a soft pedal.

It's gotta be air...I guess I'll have the shop re-bleed the system.