While Wensley was in the shop, I had them check out the brakes since her 36,000 warranty is up in 500 miles. Perhaps this old car guy is learning yet a new trick.

The pads front and back are 8-9mm, the rear rotors are in spec but the front rotors are just about to the point that MINI would discard them and replace them under warranty. Why is that the rotors have not worn as long as the pads ? Old school was you got many moons and pad changes out of the rotors (even with semi-metallic) before they needed replacing. So what gives ?

The crappy thing is they will be out of warranty by the time they are shot. I'm figuring to add the extended service warranty to cover the brakes and clutch, at least till 100,000. I assume I will need at least two more sets of brakes in that time so it pays for itself.

 

I'm assuming you have had your front pads replaced only once previously and the rotors were not replaced at the same time. That being said, european cars typically use a softer metal in their brake rotors, meaning they will wear out much quicker than the normal american car's rotors. Why? I'm not sure, it might have something to do with weight and braking capability, but I don't know for sure.

 

Actually these are the orginal pads and rotors, she's never been serviced for brakes. My concern came from when I noticed the fairly pronounced ridge on the rotor.

 

For what it's worth, I noticed the same ridge on my front rotors on both sets that I have had replaced. Each set of brakes was good for about 50k and each time they replaced the rotors as well as the pads. I never worried about it until the pads needed replacing.

 

FYI, if you're doing pads, doing the rotor too is a snap. I've done both... Easy.

That said, even though i do basic stuff myself. I did add the extended service, (not extended warrenty). Most of the stuff they do I can do, but it's good to have it on a lift and have them pull codes. They've got a trained eye too to look for things that I don't know. So even though I tend to do brakes myself, I did add the exented service to 76K I think it is.

I've got to check, I don't recall if clutch is covered under that or if it needs exteneded warrenty for that... Anyone sure?

 

I'm curious about the clutch too, I was told it does but I don't have anything in writing to the fact. I would normally do them myself too, but I'm not much the wrench turner anymore just have so many other things I like to do with my time

 

I'll have to dig out the contract and check...

 

Clutch is cover under service/maintenace warranty. I have gone through 2 sets of clutch and flywheel. No charge.

 

Thanks Chris, I'm in the process of getting an official word in writing to make sure that is the case. You never know if they have changed it !

 

Just picked up our 2006 MCSa from MINI of Sterling this week following some warranty items. The service department noted that we're getting close to needing brake work and quoted $600.00. We've got approximately 39K miles on our buggy so not surprised at the prospect. This is the first brake repair I've had with a MINI and have a few questions -

• Is $600.00 reasonable for dealership work?
• Are there good alternative garages in northern Virginia for this type of work - if so who are they?
• I've read other threads and seems like brake dust with the standard pads is excessive - any recommendations for pads that are less "dusty"? Our MINI is our daily driver - no racing (at least none I'll admit to).

Thanks for the help.

 

This is typical for BMW. When the pads are worn, the rotors are usually under spec as well. Alot of DIYers don't check the rotor wear and just keep throwing on new pads, so they don't know that the rotors are wearing. Don't know if there is a "real" safety issue here, but the car wouldn't pass a state safety inspection. At 70k, I'm on my 3rd set of pads and rotors. (However, still on my first clutch).