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Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:46 pm

Anyone have any experience with the best quality master cylinders currently offered by Cip1 and Jbugs...

Cip1:
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-113-611-015-BDGR

I understand they are not German, but don't really understand why Cip1 states theirs is a "Brax Brand" master cylinder, but also state it is Dansk.

Jbugs:
http://www.jbugs.com/product/113611015BD.html

This one looks like it could be the same exact master cylinder...only says it is German though, no other details really.

I know the topic of master cylinders has been beat to death, but couldn't find anything mentioning these two specifically. I don't want to buy a cheapo Brazilian and risk losing my brakes, but are the Wolfsburg West cylinders really that much better? Anyone have experience with one of these two in particular?

Thanks

Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:24 pm

Good luck figuring out who makes what,where anymore by looking at what the part listing states. I doubt there are any parts made in Germany anymore. What you will see is German companies with plants in Denmark,Italy,Chech Republic with parts listed as German. When you get the box that says made in Italy and call them to bitch about it not being made in Germany as advertised, you will be told it's a German company.

That said,I've found the former German producers are still making good parts (i.e ATE). I belive Brax is a Danish company,possibly an offshoot of Dansk I have no experience with them. I usually call and ask for the company I want for wheel/master cylinders I've found ATE to still make good parts frequently advertised as Made In Germany-but they are from Italy. I bought a VDO gas sender :Made in Germany" it was from Chech Republic-oh well it was good quality. The Germans are doing the same thingas USA companies,moving plants to places with lower labor costs

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:03 pm

Its A lot like saying GM cars are made in the USA :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:10 pm

Yeah, sadly everything is "globaly" made these days. My experience with master cylinders has said to stay away from Chinese made parts. I went through two or three NEW chinese masters before I switched up to a Mexican made master and that's the one I'm using now. I've found the following to be mostly true about quality from best to worst: German, Used German, Mexican, Brazilian, Chinese. Just my opinion!

-Nick-

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:15 pm

nbuscemi wrote: Yeah, sadly everything is "globaly" made these days. My experience with master cylinders has said to stay away from Chinese made parts. I went through two or three NEW chinese masters before I switched up to a Mexican made master and that's the one I'm using now. I've found the following to be mostly true about quality from best to worst: German, Used German, Mexican, Brazilian, Chinese. Just my opinion!

-Nick- that sounds about right

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:17 pm

I'm in the process of putting in the same master cylinder.
I forgot to order 2 new brake switches for it and had to wait another week.

If you want tp put in new ones...they are only about $5.oo a pieve and worth it...so don't forget to order them also :)

Dave

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:25 pm

Thanks Dave, Did you order the Cip1 or Jbugs cylinder??

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:27 pm

Also, I am torn between spending the $60 plus shipping to order a cip1 or jbugs master, or whether it would be better to just buy this one???

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=704010

New Old Stock?? Think the rubbers are still good? And would I be able to buy the plastic hose barb fittings at an auto parts store??

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:47 pm

bvd wrote: Also, I am torn between spending the $60 plus shipping to order a cip1 or jbugs master, or whether it would be better to just buy this one???

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=704010

New Old Stock?? Think the rubbers are still good? And would I be able to buy the plastic hose barb fittings at an auto parts store??

Anything NOS with seals/rubber can be a bit of a crap shoot. I've had good luck with NOS master cylinders but I would assume it depends alot on how they were stored:In a nice cool basement or in a box in the backyard in Arizona. I've never seen just barbs for sale but if their not messed up you can reuse the old ones

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:55 pm

americankettler wrote: I'm in the process of putting in the same master cylinder.
I forgot to order 2 new brake switches for it and had to wait another week.

If you want tp put in new ones...they are only about $5.oo a pieve and worth it...so don't forget to order them also :)

Dave

If your old switches are working I would reuse them. You haven't seen crap until you buy the brake light switches they are selling these days.

Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:57 pm

I bought a master cylinder for my Super from Jbugs. It's a different part number than a regular bug, but it was "German" and I've had no problems at all with it. The box says "PEX Germany" but who knows where it was actually made.
http://www.jbugs.com/product/113611015BH.html?Cate...nders-1971

Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:52 pm

bvd wrote: Thanks Dave, Did you order the Cip1 or Jbugs cylinder??

I'm not sure where I ordered it from...I bought a lot of parts months ago,
and am just now getting around to the master cylinder. Some parts I did buy
are EMPI...just because some parts are harder to find. So far I haven't
had any problems with them. Master Cylinder/Switches/and Wiring are
going in tomorrow. :)

birddog1-
Quote: If your old switches are working I would reuse them. You haven't seen crap until you buy the brake light switches they are selling these days.

The switches were going bad...my brake lights have been off and on, now
they are mostly off. when I got the gas tank out and saw the condition of
the master cylinder and switches...thats when I decided to get new ones.

Dave

Sun Apr 24, 2011 12:59 am

[quote="americankettler"] bvd wrote: when I got the gas tank out and saw the condition of
the master cylinder and switches...thats when I decided to get new ones.

Dave don't judge the master by its looks! the new one well look like that in A weak.. if the master you have in there is working? leave it alone

Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:52 am

[quote="vw_hank"] americankettler wrote: bvd wrote: when I got the gas tank out and saw the condition of
the master cylinder and switches...thats when I decided to get new ones.

Dave don't judge the master by its looks! the new one well look like that in A weak.. if the master you have in there is working? leave it alone

I couldn't agree with you more! Like they say, if it aint broke, don't fix it!!! Its a common misconception that ACVW's are cheap and easy to fix and restore, but I'm finding that untrue! There are so many "cheap knock-off" new parts available that LOOK promising but usually don't fit right or last very long! I'll use OE German parts from a swap meet before I buy new "aftermarket" stuff.

-Nick-