That's a great price for R56 S front calipers. I had to pay 120 from a local wrecker. You get the carriers too for that price?

 

Think I paid $90 for mine off eBay, tear offs are reasonable.

 

Yep. Everything included. Even the rubber brake lines. (Which will be used to cover places while I paint)

 

If you end up with any questions feel free to post them here

 

whats the cheapest source for braided lines? I have a set of calipers coming for my 05 soon

 

I used ecs lines, very reasonably priced

 

I do not know about cheaper, but I will be purchasing mine from Way Motor Works. I trust Way on all things MINI and I have used him for tons of parts and advice.

 

I have 8 cars, I need cheap

 

Thanks these look like the cheapest I've been able to find, 3rd ecs order in 5 days lol

 

Well, got my calipers and brackets in the mail yesterday. Going on vacation Monday and will order parts in a week. Finally getting this done.

 

What's the difference between r53 brakes and r56
Size ??

 

This is probably the best guide to upgrading 1st gen brakes from member c0op3r. He brakes it down to 5 levels of upgrade with pro's and con's for each:

http://www.c0op3r.com/MINI/FrontBrakes.html

Front:
R53 - 48mm pistons and 276mm rotors
R56 - 54mm pistons and 280mm rotors (the original doc listed 276mm)
R56 S/R53 JCW - 54mm pistons and 294mm rotors

 

the pads on the r56S are quite a bit taller, lot more surface area

 

Yes, as Mega posted, the R56 S brakes will give you a lot more stopping power due to the increased size of the pads and rotors

The starter of this thread wrote the guide in the link above which also gives an explanation of each brake and the ideal usage/driving style for each.

 

Big thanks to c0op3r for his take on the stages of the brake upgrade & list of parts, and to everyone else for their comments & help in this thread. My upgrade was completed last night, can't wait to pick up the car today!

Front:




Rear:

 

Looks great!

I have always found it interesting to see what direction the 'slots' go.

EBC's go with the direction of the rotation. The ones you got go the other way.

Porsche and Mercedes go the way you have yours installed. I doubt it really makes a difference but its interesting to note.

 

I've noticed the same thing (orientation/direction of the slots) but haven't bothered to search for info on any differences. FWIW these are the StopTech kits.

 

Nice job, that green is intense, i would be all day trying to keep those calipers clean and looking like that. The veins on 99% of MINI front rotor are not directional.

 

Yeah, I love the color but keeping 'em clean & looking good may be a challenge. I need to get a long-handled brush with some soft bristles, stat.

 

Yes,

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/Chemical_Guys_Brush/

 

Will the R56 caliper clear a 16" wheel? I know the newer JCW Brembo's won't, but I really want to do this upgrade soon as well and they have to clear my 16's.

 

I am fairly certain that they will clear the 16s, at least the R-84s.

 

I don't have factory wheels, they're aftermarket. 16x8.5" +20ET.

 

I know they will not clear factory 15". But will clear 'some' aftermarket 15".

 

I have the jcw brakes on 15" 949racing wheels, the 1oz thicker stick on wheel weights cannot be in the path of the caliper but otherwise they fit

the 1/4 oz stick on weights clear the caliper, with like 1mm of room, very tight