I wonder if we're talking about the same thing though? I don't mean lines where the braid is on the outside - I can see that this could abrade other things. This is the company I got my Defender lines from - others are available: pioneer4x4.com As you can see, the braiding is internal to the line, so I can't see that they are likely to damage anything else very much. I think it's a combination of silicon outers, stainless braid inside, and a teflon liner. Maybe not available in your market because of legislation?

How long should it last? I guess maybe our conditions will be different. If I fitted new lines, copper and mild steel fittings, after the first winter, with the amount of salt on our roads (I'm in the north of Scotland) I'd expect the fittings to look rusty. After 2 or 3 winters there's going to be a risk of rounding things off during maintenance. The flexi hoses I took off the front of the car a few months ago might have been original (maybe not) but they were scrap. Not so much for the hose itself, but because the ends just corrode into unrecognisable lumps of rust. They might do the job while they are on, or attached, but as soon as you touch them they fall apart.

I'm not saying I'd fit them to the car and leave them 20 years, but at least when I did want to do any maintenance, I'd have a fighting chance of getting them off in one piece with a minimum of fuss and swearing.

I think we are talking about something different. I assumed Goodridge teflon inner and stainless braided outer (although the ones you linked to are similar except for having a further layer of silicone on the outside). With the conditions you have I'd go for Kunifer with stainless fittings for the hard lines and use Goodridge flexible but the version with stainless, rather than plated steel, fittings on each end. That way you shouldn't get any problems with corrosion on any part of the system.

outside of the stainless ends i dont see any real benefit . the problem with brake lines is usually the inside closes up from the reaction from the brake fluid more so the outer rubber deteriorating or the ends rust as you mentioned . its rare to have a rubber brake line fail unless its been stretched or fiscally damaged, and as mentioned you shouldn't crimp as that can pinch the rubber lines and cause a failure
at the end of the day its about personal choice and costs , are they affordable or expensive in comparison to standard lines?

I think it just "depends".... I can send them the dimensions, and a few days later I'll get a set of hoses made-to-measure, which I can just fit simply into place. It saves me a bit of time, and a bit less stress as an "amateur" mechanic making up lines for something as critical as brake systems on a >2-tonne car. It's not the cheapest - I think I was £300 for the whole Defender system - 7 hoses I think - but ease of fitment and peace of mind have to be worth something.

Like I said though, I'm not wedded to the idea yet, I was just canvassing opinions on the principle on a P38.

GilbertD's suggestion of getting stainless ends to go with the kunifer I already have is a good one - though again, I might find I have to contort my hands up into that space between the chassis and the fuel tank, with 2" long spanners....

Just kicking the can!

If the kunifer has been run correctly to mate up with the standard lines on the standard brackets there should be adequate room to work.

The original fittings on mine had corroded beyond the point of being undone so I had to cut the kunifer and fit new threaded connectors. All done working under the car with only modest verbal encouragement.

What did miff me is that I had to mix'n match parts from two different toolsets to get the right shape of end. So glad I didn't bin my cheapy "wont hold the brake line securely" device when I upgraded to a proper trade rated kit.

Clive