My CM needs new brake pads at 40K miles.
Are there any tips/tricks to swapping the front pads out? I got the OEM replacements for the fronts and they came with some extra hardware (clips and bolts?). I also got the brake pad sensor for the fronts.
Any advice before I start taking the wheels off? I've done brake pads before, so I'm hoping this will be quick and easy like it was on my Dodge Magnum.
RT

 

If it's anything like the R53 and the dozen BMW's I've done brakes on it should be a simple job. Old school BMW people (myself included) advocate changing the rotors at the same time as the pads due to risk of vibration for re-used rotors. That rotor discussion is similar to oil change frequency: opinions on both sides with little conclusive evidence for arguing one or the other.
You should not need bolts or clips -unless you change the rotors in which case it's a good idea to procure the little rotor hold down bolt. They rust easily and are made of soft metal so they can end up being a casualty. Since you're in TX you might not need it and even if you do, it's not critical to the job since the wheel will do a fine job of holding that rotor in place anyway.
You might need a brake pad sensor. If your brake pad sensor triggered a warning you will need a new one for sure. You will also need to reset the brake pad count down and that required a new sensor on my newer BMW's. I assume it would be the same on the CM.

 

Thanks FredoinSF, I'm hoping to get away with just doing the pads. Are the sensors pretty much plug and play?
RT

 

It should be an easy job. If your sensor hasn't been tripped there's no reason to change it. There is only one on the front, and I think it's on the driver side. You'll see it when you take off the pads. One pad will have it attached to a notch in the center. Just follow the wire back disconnecting the wire ties until you find the disconnect. It shouldn't be too bad, though I haven't yet done brakes on a 2nd gen MINI.

 

Chrunck, I would agree with you on reusing the sensor except for what happened on my 06 BMW 330i (E90 body). When I upgraded the brakes on that car at about 35k miles the sensors had not made contact wth the rotors and I expected to reuse them. When I reset the brake pad service indicator, I had a brake pad warning that could not be cleared until I threw new sensors at it. Since the interface on the radio and service indicators between the E90 and R60 are practically identical, I would suspect the same error would come up when resetting the brake pad service indicator on the MINI. I can't confirm cuz I have not done it yet, but the sensors on the BMW got smarter.

 

Thanks y'all, that was easy. The only PITA was when I put the new sensor into the new pad, then plugged it into the W/H near the engine.... Then realized it should go through the caliper. Had to unplug and re route. Haven't tackled resetting the warning lamp yet.
I'm still shocked at how much wear there was for just 40,000 miles. I go really easy on brakes, especially with a manual, and have always gotten more life than that out of pads, even on my big Dodge Magnum R/T.
Oh yeah, I did not replace the rotors, and there seem to be no side effects.
RT

 

I had to replace the rear pads and rotors at 20k miles, so at least your front pads lasted a little while longer.

 

at 20K should they not have been replaced for free under the maintenance plan?

 

That's when I had my rear pads replaced, and they were under the plan.

 

I am stationed in Germany so they dont honor the warranty or the maintenance plan over here.

 

That's entirely possible. I've only done brakes on the R50 and R53. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed it so you need new sensors no matter what. That's frustrating.

 

My countryman is telling me that I need my front pads serviced. The car only has 13k miles on it! This doesnt sound right to me.

 

when i got my first included oil change at 7,900 miles, the invoice noted i would need pads by ~15k and ~18k miles ... don't remember which was front and which was rear

scott

 

Ok well that makes me feel a little better.