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heavy brake dust on wheels - still an issue with '08-09 MINIs?
I read the older (2003-2007)threads on this subject. Is this still an issue?
I'm guessing it is as my '09 MCCS wheels were almost black after the first 1200 miles of mostly Interstate driving. Took longer to clean the wheels than to wash Fubbsy...
Any recommendations to speed future wheel cleaning? (I will NOT change out the stock pads.)
TIA,
Pete
Not sure how well these products work but in the auto store they sell products to clean the wheel but also some products to help keep the wheel clean. These are specific due to brake dust, etc contaminants.
Eagle products sells a wheel cleaner but I bought their other product which I believe is called "Keep Wheel Clean". It puts a sleek sealant on the wheel. You basically spray it on and do not wipe it off. If it does not help keep the wheel any cleaner or make it easier to clean, it will at least put a very thin protective sealant on the whell to help protect the original finish from deteriorating over the years from the brake dust. At least that is the marketing hype. Since I just recently put this stuff on, it's too early for me to tell if it seems to have any real benefit.
If you simply apply a coat of wax to your wheels about once or twice a year, you'll find that the brake dust cleans off very easily with nothing more than a wet sponge and car wash soap whenever you wash the vehicle. Something like but not limited to, "Klasse-All-in-One" (which is a mild cleaner wax that leaves no white residue on whatever else it touches) works great for that purpose as well as the whole car. You could then follow with a coat of "Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze" for even further protection, if you like (I don't bother on the wheels) but definitely not necessary.
I've been doing this for years on several vehicles (including Jeep, BMW, Miata, and MINI) and have never had to use anything stronger. HTH.
Carbon Punch Lthr./Pacific Blue Color Line/Brushed Alloy Trim/Chrome-Line Int./Premium & CW Pkgs./MFSW/Center Arm Rest/16" Bridgespokes/White TSI's/Black Jack Side Scuttles/Tint
Yes - tried Wheel Wax and it helps, but still lots of dust. I am going to try Hawk Performance Ceramic pads for the front which are suppose to be ultra low dust.
Yes - tried Wheel Wax and it helps, but still lots of dust.
Waxing helps quite a bit. I first had to use a dedicated wheel cleaner to get the OEM brake dust off. Then used Wheel Shield from Detailers Paradise. Wheels were much easier to clean. Just used soapy water used when washing the car. With a bursh or sponge, the dust came off easily.
It isn't only the wheels that get dirty from OEM brake dust. The boot of my MCS Coupe used to get filthy within a week. After changing to Carbotech 1521 Bobcat pads, I let it go for months and barely noticed any dust on the boot.
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I am going to try Hawk Performance Ceramic pads for the front which are suppose to be ultra low dust.
Consider the Bobcats. Virtually no dust, improved modulation (OEM pads are very grabby, Bobcats give you more control), longer lasting, better stopping, and easier on rotors. I've had them on for over a year, and I'm quite happy with them.
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Robin Casady Bombadil: 2007 MINI Cooper S, R56, Pure Silver, LSD, Wood Shift Knob, Rota Slipstream 16x7, NAV, HIFI...
pretty much anyone with stock BMW/Mini pads has tons of brake dust. For the street, the pads a pretty progressive with nice "feel" but I have no idea why the German dev team thinks that they shouldn't use a more modern compound that has good braking charecteristics and less dust. It's not as if they aren't available.
Take a look at most BMWs. Unless they are detailed regularly, you'll see the front wheels are pretty dark. If they're neglected, the wheels can become practially black. So yes, it's still a problem.
By why not go to an aftermarket pad? Even EBC greens have much, much less dust!
My former chevy vehicles had ceramic pads and they left no apparent brake dust, but it is there. You just can't see it because of the color of the ceramic pads, but they do leave a lot less dust. Downside is that ceramic pads don't brake as well as the ones on our minis, soooo.....for safety reasons, the one's we have are excelllent. ONce a week I spray the Maguires wheel cleaner on em, brush them off and voilla, clean. You don't even have to wash the whole car, just the wheels. Works like a charm. I would rather be safer as opposed to using ceramic pads. I do believe they make some for the mini though if you are interested. Just search these forums. I recall a lot of chatter about that way back when.
Thanks for the Maguires tip, Art, will do! And I agree; I love the brakes so I'd rather have these brakes with the dust than "fashion" brake pads that don't stop the car as well.
There are literally thousands of pad compounds out there...
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Originally Posted by ART ED
My former chevy vehicles had ceramic pads and they left no apparent brake dust, but it is there. You just can't see it because of the color of the ceramic pads, but they do leave a lot less dust. Downside is that ceramic pads don't brake as well as the ones on our minis, soooo.....for safety reasons, the one's we have are excelllent. ONce a week I spray the Maguires wheel cleaner on em, brush them off and voilla, clean. You don't even have to wash the whole car, just the wheels. Works like a charm. I would rather be safer as opposed to using ceramic pads. I do believe they make some for the mini though if you are interested. Just search these forums. I recall a lot of chatter about that way back when.
and there are compounds that are very effective, low noise, and much lower dust. The choice of dirty factory or clean insufficient isn't a choice that has to be made.
Thanks for the Maguires tip, Art, will do! And I agree; I love the brakes so I'd rather have these brakes with the dust than "fashion" brake pads that don't stop the car as well.
I think you can have both; better stopping performance and lower dust. Hawk, Carbotech, EBS, and others make pads that improve performance and lower dust.
Hawks help. I put them on my Cliubman after about 8000 miles. I washed and "Wheel Shield"ed them at the same time. I'm very happy with the results.
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"Everyday it feels like you're 8 years old, and for the first time you're tall enough to ride the GoCarts." - me motoringshirts - mods & specs - gallery - blog - work
I know you stated that you "WILL NOT' change the brake pads, but honestly for about an hours worth of work it's SO worth it!
I changed mine at 600 miles to EBC Green Stuff and WOW, it is night and day. I can now drive 1000 miles and have the same amount of brake dust as I did with 100 miles on the stock pads, no exaggeration.
Not to mention the improved pedal feel and stopping power, definitely worth $150 or so bucks.
Remember the stock brake pads are Semi-Metallic, these microscopic slivers of metal are what get embedded into the finish on your wheels, like tiny shards of glass or darts.
The EBC are Ceramic and literally leave a fine coating of dust not shards that easily rinses off with normal soap and water. Also because they are Ceramic your pads and rotors and rims will look and last longer!
Just my opinion....
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09 CLUBMAN S ( "MoJo" Mini) | PW | 6 spd | Black Sport/Roof Stripes | Sport/Cold Weather/Convenience Pkgs | Hot Chocolate Leather Interior | Cream White Colorline | Sport Suspension | Dilithium Warp Crystals
The SA gave me a funny look this morning when I dropped it off for an oil change and I happened to mention, "no I already changed the pads myself." I said that I didn't like having the front wheels black all the time.
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2008 Cooper. 6mt. Mellow Yellow with black roof and bonnet stripes.
2011 Clubman. 6mt. Chili Red with black roof and sport stripes.
May be a dumb question but... If you change the pads upfront do you have to change the rears as well? I know the rear brakes don't take nearly the load of the fronts but I'm just wondering if you would be altering the dynamics at all by having different braking performance between the front and back. I guess it wouldn't be any different than when the front wear faster than the rears but thought I would pose the question anyway.
__________________ Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. -S Jobs 6/12/05
1980 Classic Mini Convertible (sort of for sale)
2008 PW/Blk MINI Cooper Clubman
May be a dumb question but... If you change the pads upfront do you have to change the rears as well? I know the rear brakes don't take nearly the load of the fronts but I'm just wondering if you would be altering the dynamics at all by having different braking performance between the front and back. I guess it wouldn't be any different than when the front wear faster than the rears but thought I would pose the question anyway.
You don't have to change them at the same time but by the time the fronts are worn out the rear isn't usually that far behind. Ya might as well do it while the wheels are off and the tools are out!
May be a dumb question but... If you change the pads upfront do you have to change the rears as well? I know the rear brakes don't take nearly the load of the fronts but I'm just wondering if you would be altering the dynamics at all by having different braking performance between the front and back. I guess it wouldn't be any different than when the front wear faster than the rears but thought I would pose the question anyway.
May be a dumb question but... If you change the pads upfront do you have to change the rears as well? I know the rear brakes don't take nearly the load of the fronts but I'm just wondering if you would be altering the dynamics at all by having different braking performance between the front and back. I guess it wouldn't be any different than when the front wear faster than the rears but thought I would pose the question anyway.
My previous car (BMW) had dustless on the front and regular OEM rear pads. Now the fronts stay clean and the rears get ugly dirty, albeit slower than with OEM front pads.
Having owned 13 BMW's I have cleaned my share of black wheels. The best product I have found and I've tried them all is Eagle One All Wheel and Tire Cleaner. They make a spray you can spray on once they are clean and dry but I don't think it works very well. If your lazy this stuff will clean them pretty good without even needing to scrub them but I do anyway. That's why I ordered 5 star spoke wheels, having cleaned 3 M3 it's a lot easier to get a simple wheel design (yes it maybe doesn't look as good but my back can't handle the cleaning).
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2010 MCCS, Pure Silver, Black Roof, Tuscan Leather, Manual, Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, Convenience, Black Bonnet Stripes, English Oak, Chrome Line Int, Anthracite HL, Rear Fog, Dealer Armrest, White Turn Signals, 17' 5 star spoke
Last edited by BMW13; 09-28-2009 at 02:11 PM.
Reason: spelling
Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. -S Jobs 6/12/05
Mini Me - 2008 Laser Blue/Black MCS - 6 sp Auto, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Piano Blk/Anthracite, Black JCW R105 Double-Spoke 18-inch Wheels on Pirelli PZero RF
