I am about to do the second brake job on my 2003 MCS, and just purchased a set of Powerslot rotors. I know there are alot of pad choices out there, but my personal preference is for OEM pads (I used these on the first change, and think they are pretty darn good pads). Any suggestions of where to go for the best deal on OEM pads?

Len

 

My OEM pads would dirty the wheels too much. I got the EBC green pads, not much dust. These would work excellent with your rotors. Try some stainless braided brake hoses too! The braided lines will not stretch like the rubber lines and helps reduce foot pressure.

 

I understand your desire to stay with the factory pads and you can find good deals on OEM thru Ebay...but frankly, for a few bucks more, if you upgrade to Hawk pads you will experince a lot less dust, better pad wear, better feel and reduced fade....

 

+1 ...

The first step in upgrading is to do just what you are looking at ... Both EBC and Hawk are good choices

 

just went to Hawk HPS in the front myself - and I still have almost a year of free maintenance left. So much less dust, and much "grabbier" when you really get on the brakes.

No more OEM dusters for me - Hawk HPS for both cars.

(Also added Tyrol Sport brake stiffeners from Helix - much better pedal feel - still have to install the rears!!!)

 

The Powerslots will use the OEM faster. Slots are for releasing gasses and shaving pads to keep them clean.

 

I got a set I can make a good deal on that has 40miles on them. Customer drove straight from dealer to get brake kit installed.

 

I changed out Hawk HPS in favor of Ferrodo DS2500 (front only) on my 03 with stock brakes (slotted rotors) and found that the Ferrodo's will lock up (get into the ABS) much easier - they have greater friction from my personal experience, but more dust than Hawk. I like the Ferrodo's much better.

They are supposed to be track worthy. Will see Saturday.

 

Thanks for the responses guys - got a good deal on some Hawk HPS from JSC Speed, going to give them a try.

Len

 

Sorry to go off topic, but do you guys notice "squeeky" brakes with the OEM pads. I've only owned my MCS for a couple weeks now. But the front brakes are definitly squeeky, but not all the time. Its almost like I've got high performance pads on the car. Except they don't seem to care too much once I heat them up, they will still squeek.

 

AeroCooper:

The change to Powerslots /Hawk Pads will be the second brake job I have done on my 2003 MCS - first brake job I used OEM parts, never had any sqeaking ever, before or after the first brake job. Not sure what the source of your noise may be.

Does anyone know if I will be using both front and rear brake wear sensors with the Hawk pads?

Len

 

I get a little squeeking occasionaly on my oem pads, only when creeping to a stop.

 

EBC greens run very clean, but they are no better at braking than stock, i.e. your brakes will still overheat with two hard stops in a row.

If that's OK, then the clean aspect is really very nice - the fronts won't get any dirtier than the rear stock pads.

 

At SOW this Saturday I came off the track at the end of a session (using race tires) and my brakes (Ferrodo DS2500) were "Smoking!!" Yet the brakes never lost their grip., and today, they are same as normal. I am VERY happy with them. I do think I'll put some ducts on though. That is all the mini needs IMHO.

 

Ferodo 2500's are quite good. Had em on my last car, but dusty as noted!

 

If you have brake noise and squeaking then be sure to clean the pads and rotors well.

Usually OEM pads don't squeak that much.

Upgraded pads do squeak more commonly.

Hawk HPS pads are good for street use.

Mintex Redbox are good for general use and price is low, less than OEM brake dust as well.

Ferodo DS2500 good for track and street use but a little more dust than some pads and a little more noise.

If you do track your MINI be sure to upgrade Brake fluid.

 

Have you taken the wheels off and looked at the pads?? Because you say you've only owned this for a few weeks, the history is unknown. Maybe the previous owner put on some old pads before selling it. Maybe the pads and rotors were from different cars, and thus not matched. Many reasons for why the brakes could squeak. Some antisqueal on the brake pad backings might help as well.

 

I haven't taken them off yet. I have checked the pads and the life looks to be about 1/2 from what a general pad would have. Like somebody mentioned earlier in the thread, this really only happens when creeping to a stop...no squeaking in hard braking. I agree that antisqueal on the backings would probably fix it. When I would change pads on my S2k new OEM pads always came with new shims and grease. I never had a single issue, other then I ate a brand new set of OEM rears in one track day! My level of "braking" put me into needing race pads Anyway, I did read the words visible on the pads and it looked something like ATE or something like that (and no the brake fluid looks stock). Either way...I'm not too concerned, I just wondered if it was a common occurance with stock cars. The car does only have 18000 miles on it now and gets free main. till June I may take it in, or I may just do it myself...just have to decide which is less hassle

 

They dont shave the pads, they just dissipate the gasses from the pad adhesive vaporizing under high heat conditions (hard braking)

 

No, the wear sensors are not compatible with HPS or HPS + pads, front or rear (personal experience).

 

Negative...the HPS I have on currently have the notch for the front, but not the rear. I changed my rotors and removed the front sensor the other day. The pads I have on I bought about a year ago, if this is an "update" to their product.

- Matt