Ruptured brake line, doing homework for overhaul - any non-trivial advice?

[vt]

Looks like I did have some karma left - lost brakes at pedestrian speed with nobody in front of me, no damage.

Currently collecting information about the brake system overhaul (this fiver is a family member, so it will get all the TLC possible), and would appreciate all hints that you folks could share, especially those that are away from the mainstream.

One question I'm deciding for myself right now is - do I want the braided brake lines. Brakes felt just fine from day one till yesterday, never felt a need to upgrade, but well, if it is *that* much better, why not.

And the other, inconsequential, question - how is redundancy implemented in E39 brake system? I didn't think testing which parts of it are still alive in the middle of the city was a good idea, so now I wonder - is it front vs. rear, or criss-cross?