Can someone point me in the right direction for a set of cross-drilled and sloted FRONT AND REAR rotos for the 2007 R56 ? I believe they are the same hat size and overall diameter of the R53 JCW?

I've found the MINI/BMW branded fronts, no problem. But I'm looking for a matching set of rears, too. So I'm assuming I need to be looking elsewhere at Brembo or Zimmermann or another manufacturer.

Anyone know where I could find some for a decent price?

...and yes, I'm well aware that the perfomance gain is debatable... but I still want 'em .

 

check out minimania.com, i think they have some.

 

Good luck on your quest, hopefully you will have more success than i did with Slotted/Drilled rotors....

 

Can anyone confirm if the rears on the '07 are the same as the '03-'06 cars?

 

Don't know if the rears are the same on the '07s, but I can tell you that the R53 JCW rears are the standard MCS rotors. SO, if the '07s are the same, then if you find some you like for an R53 MCS, they should work. Theoretically, anyway.

 

That's my line of thinking right now... and the EBC drilled and slited rotors seem to have a similar pattern to them and are availible in a few finishes, so I was considering trying to match somthing up to the MINI JCW fronts... maybe.

 

Hmmm, could work. It's odd that MINI only has the fronts.

 

MINI only has the fronts as most braking work on the MINI is done by the front wheels. They benific the most from slotting and drilling. I'm just **** and want the rotors to be uniform.

EBC are coming out with thier 3GD dimpled/slotted sport rotors for the R56. They're hard anodized to prevent any rusting. They make a case for dimpling vs. fully drilling on the EBC site. Similar performance gains as drilling, but no risk of cracking. Seems to make sence. Should be out very-very soon as they've now have an official part number:

Fronts: #GD7368 (MSRP $232 per pair)
Rears: #GD1008 (MSRP $165 per pair)



Shop around, as MSRP is just that... I've seen cheaper prices out there. Usually about $20 off each pair just through a simple google search.

 

If you look for R53 rotors to put on an R56, keep in mind that except for the GP and about the last six month's worth of production of the R53/R50/R52, all of the first-gen cars had smaller lug bolts than the R56 (12mm versus 14mm), so you'd either need to have the rotor holes enlarged, or you'd need to get a stud conversion kit to use the rotors with your hubs.

 

What is the benefit from drilling and slotting? I was told that drilling was to try and avoid a tiny delay caused by an air cushion when the brakes were applied extremely rapidly in racing. I'm also told that the theory about the air pocket is in doubt, and that drilling has only cosmetic benefit.

 

As brake pad material heats up, the compound and adhesives will outgas causing a vapor barrier to form between the pad and rotor surface (one cause of fade).

Slotting, drilling and dimpling give the gasses a place to go, making a more positive contact between pad and rotor surface.

 

Modern pads don't do that anymore, drilled rotors are all about bling.

 

You are absolutely right Mozz. These drilled rotors are all about looking good but there isn't anything wrong with that.

 

Wrong. Modern pads DO offgas and if they get hot enough they DO fade. It's unavoidable even with all the new high tech pad materials out there. All brakes do it. It's just a matter of how hard you have to use them before you feel it. Better pads work under hotter conditions and take more abuse before showing signs of brake fade, that's all.

What IS debatable is whether or not you or I are driving our cars hard enough on the street to have this become an issue. Much like any number of MINI mods (strut tower brace springs to mind) 98% of us will never driver the car hard enough to notice any performance improvement... and the 2% that track their cars do it on such an infrequest basis (2-4 times a year?), that the benifits of the mod are debatable.

But dang, they LOOK GOOD!

 

OK, so there is debate about outgassing. Out of curiosity, what are the other causes of fading? Ryephile's post on his track experience with an R56 indicates that the stock brakes can fade badly when used heavily (very heavily).

 

Check with R1 concepts in Anaheim, CA. They can get drilled, slotted, and zinc washed rotors for just about anything and really good prices.

 

Any thoughts on 'JCW Drilled Front Brake Rotors'? This is one of a few options that can be installed at VDC. My MA quoted around $300 if installed in port, more at dealer. Worth it? For me it would be mostly for looks, but would be nice for the occasional track day. Are there better cheaper alternatives?

 

i remember reading about how F1s and nascars dont use slot and drilled rotors. wonder if its true

 

I would caution against EBC. They're notorious for cracked and warped rotors and the pads tear in to the rotors as well. Suggestion: check out KVR performance (KVRperformance.com). They make superb rotors with semi- and full-metalic pads and the break dust in minimal too. Have dealt with them several times in the past and highly recommend them. Believe they have rotors and pads for the R56 now (or will very shortly).

Hope this helps

 

Interesting write-up on brakes here:
http://www.carbibles.com/brake_bible.html

 

After seeing cracks around the drilled holes in my E30 M3 rotors, I'll never allow drilled rotors on one of my cars.

Earlier I had drilled rotors on a 5 series car to deal with fade (at Laguna Seca and on mountain roads). They helped with fade, but they warped very easily.

Cross drilled rotors are bad news.

If you have fade, consider higher temp pads, ducting, bigger brakes, or maybe slotting.

 

These discussions can go on forever.. It's a matter of opinion... Unless your doing some heavy street racing, the stockers are good for a loooong time.. If I replace mine however, I'm probably going with slotted as I've heard they're not prone to cracking like drilled rotors are... *This is just from what I've read on several different threads*

 

From www.realoem.com

R56 Front
34116774986

R56 Rear
34216774987

R53 Front
34116774986

R53 rear
34216774987

 

I think you made a mistake:

R56 Rear
34216774987

R53 rear
34211503070

 

At $195 PER ROTOR, they better be good!

I think I'll just wait for the Brembos...