Heyo
So yes, to further clarify - when having to brake hard (say the bottom of a steep driveway) it feels I have to press the pedal further than normal and then pressure firms up a lot more than normal as well.
Under normal braking everything feels just fine. It started about a year ago.
I swear I'm not imagining it - this is the 3rd 380 I've owned over 7 years and the brakes have always been one of my favourite things about these cars.

I've had Mitsub replace the brake fluid but made no noticeable difference and the car is at 120,000kms.

Everything I research talks about the common brake problems like the pedal sinking or being slow to rebound, so I'm finding it difficult to get ideas.
The only other time I've experienced this was when driving a 15ish year old car a few years ago. I just thought it was just a problem with old cars but my car ain't old :tantrum:

Any thoughts anyone?

(1) Cold engine, high idle, downhill? Mmm . . . yes, you have to push harder. Gravity and cold engine revs pushing the car.

(2) High performance pads ?? - don't grip well when cold.

(3) Pads glazed from too much hooning? Pull one out, if real shiny, replace the lot, or roughen them up to get rid of the glazed surface.

(1) Cold engine, high idle, downhill? Mmm . . . yes, you have to push harder. Gravity and cold engine revs pushing the car.

(2) High performance pads ?? - don't grip well when cold.

(3) Pads glazed from too much hooning? Pull one out, if real shiny, replace the lot, or roughen them up to get rid of the glazed surface.

(1) Hang on, wait, I see what you did there. Yes, one DOES have to press the pedal harder when braking down hill, but this is more than that. This happens when having to brake firmly even on flat ground. The driveway scenario I said was just an example.
(2) I'm not sure of the pads the previous owner installed. I haven't noticed a difference when the brakes are hot/cold - I shall test it.
(3) The pads. Ok. I'll have a look see.
How would one go about 'roughening' them up? Steel wool or something?

Thank you muchly

check the vacuum line to the master cylinder.
any evidence of fluid leaks in the past?

Glazed pads - use a sheet of very rough sandpaper on a flat surface, and rub the pad's surface on it, until all the shiny is gone.
I just use a coarse file, does the job.
Research "glazed pads" on Mr Google to see what they look like . . .

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=glazed+pads&view=detailv2&&id=BDAE7611997398E41C3E3C2FC79C7D5DA8B8DA3C&selectedIndex=6&ccid=q%2bOJyD1Y&simid=608055803871036051&thid=OIP.Mabe389c83d584eaefd1d54510e922711o0&ajaxhist=0

If you pull a pad out, look for make and model. Someone can tell you if it is a "performance" pad or not.

Generally:
Standard pads - good cold bite, low pedal pressure needed, but at the pads heat up, more pressure on the pedal is needed, until you get them hot enough to the point of fade, pressing the pedal as hard as you can causes poor braking. These tend to melt and wear real quick when overheated.

Performance pads - poor cold bite, high pedal pressure needed. As they heat up, bite improves and braking performance is good even to the discs glowing red hot - see pictures of rally cars at night with red hot discs glowing through the wheel spokes? lol

EDIT: It helps to know what type of pads you have on your car, I've got soft pads for cold performance around town, and I have to adjust my driving style through the twisties to make sure the brakes still work when I really need them.

If you know Adelaide, there is a long downhill stretch from the Heysen tunnel. At the bottom is a traffic light.

just replace the pads if you are going to the troubleof removing them I reckon.

they are cheap as chips.

Cheap, yes I guess so.
Best identify what type of pad you have now, so you can decide if you want to go harder or softer.

Sorry for no reply, came back from holiday.

No evidence of leaks.
I'll take the pads off and have a look.

Thanks all.

So report back - problem solved.
You guys pointed me in the right direction - the pads were glazed and the rotors had what looked like 'scorch' marks. Changed them both and the brakes feel great. Don't have to press the pedal as hard anymore and it feels more 'solid'.
Thanks again