F55/F56 :: Hatch Talk (2014+) MINI Cooper and Cooper S (F55/F56) hatchback discussions.

F55/F56 Adding JCW calipers to stock S brakes?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 06-26-2017, 03:10 PM
antirich's Avatar
antirich
antirich is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Adding JCW calipers to stock S brakes?

I have 17 S model, and found a good deal on a pair of new JCW front calipers/pads. Any idea if these will work with the stock rotors?

Would also consider a pair of new aftermarket rotors if i need a larger diameter w/the JCW calipers


Also found a used set (calipers/rotors) for the JCW rears. Guessing the car took a bad front hit!
 
  #2  
Old 06-26-2017, 04:46 PM
vetsvette's Avatar
vetsvette
vetsvette is offline
Moderator
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: South Central Virginia
Posts: 3,896
Received 450 Likes on 343 Posts
Won't work with stock rotors. You can buy OEM JCW rotors or I believe Stoptech is now making a 335mm rotor for the JCW. Stoptech would probably be less expensive. See what I did there? "Less expensive" not cheap. I used a Stoptech brake kit on my R56 and had no complaints with quality or fit and finish. Realize too, that you're gonna need different wheels to clear the calipers. You're also going to need a software update when you change to the BBK. I would also suggest braided stainless brake line too.
Doesn't take long for it to add up to some real money.
 
  #3  
Old 06-26-2017, 07:04 PM
DunkM's Avatar
DunkM
DunkM is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 351
Received 60 Likes on 51 Posts
I can attest to that; I just did it and it was a pretty penny, but WELL worth it. In my opinion, you should buy the whole retrofit kit from the dealer instead of buying individual parts used. It comes with everything you need and right now its going for 1400 for front and rear at my dealer.
 
  #4  
Old 06-26-2017, 08:28 PM
MarcoPolo's Avatar
MarcoPolo
MarcoPolo is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
Received 30 Likes on 24 Posts
just to note, the rears are the same for jcw....just painted red...nothing more. the fronts, besides the larger rotors, come with large brake dust shield.
if you can paint the rears red yourself, you're done with the rear. if the front calipers pads are cheap enough, i'd drop the add'l money on DBA 2-piece rotors and you're golden.as soon as these rotors are done for, i'm getting the DBA ones.
 
  #5  
Old 06-27-2017, 06:04 AM
antirich's Avatar
antirich
antirich is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
OK, so it sounds like the only difference is the front system, which helps.

I can get two new JCW calipers/pads for $600, Centric makes a 335mm slotted rotors for the JCW at $220/pair. Just need the new dust shields and should be good to go, no?

Unless Mini wants $500/pr for the dust shields!

Car is leased, so don't want to put too much $$ into it. And yes, will replace if i turn the car in.
 
  #6  
Old 06-27-2017, 06:09 AM
MarcoPolo's Avatar
MarcoPolo
MarcoPolo is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
Received 30 Likes on 24 Posts
lets not forget the possibility of a different front brake pad sensor. now, if you're the type that will constantly visually inspect the pads, then just take the current brake pad sensor and zip tie it to something and you won't get a low brake pad error.

you'll get the brake pad alert when 1 of 2 things occur:
1) unplug the brake pad sensor while car is on
2) cut the brake pad sensor wire.

i accidentally cut mine, so all i did was twist tie the 2 wires together and zip tied it to the side and my light never turned on. i track the car so i'm constantly swapping between street and track pads so i'm always aware of how much pad i have left.
 
  #7  
Old 06-27-2017, 06:10 AM
DunkM's Avatar
DunkM
DunkM is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 351
Received 60 Likes on 51 Posts
MINI wants 500 extra for rear calipers, rear carriers, rear rotors and rear pads, those dust shields and all new bolts. In my opinion, that is amazing value!

Understand that you getting extra parts. Even if you choose to do it cheaper, you aren't getting better value.
 
  #8  
Old 06-27-2017, 09:06 AM
Clutch Wotan's Avatar
Clutch Wotan
Clutch Wotan is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Germany Hamburg
Posts: 654
Received 157 Likes on 120 Posts
  #9  
Old 06-27-2017, 10:24 AM
trentiles's Avatar
trentiles
trentiles is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 377
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts
Originally Posted by DunkM
MINI wants 500 extra for rear calipers, rear carriers, rear rotors and rear pads, those dust shields and all new bolts. In my opinion, that is amazing value!

Understand that you getting extra parts. Even if you choose to do it cheaper, you aren't getting better value.
But why spend the money if the rears are identical to the JCW rears minus the calipers being red?
 
  #10  
Old 06-27-2017, 10:33 AM
trentiles's Avatar
trentiles
trentiles is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 377
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts
Originally Posted by Clutch Wotan
It would help more if you listed what brand of rotors those are, part number too is helpful.
 
  #11  
Old 06-27-2017, 10:43 AM
antirich's Avatar
antirich
antirich is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by DunkM
MINI wants 500 extra for rear calipers, rear carriers, rear rotors and rear pads, those dust shields and all new bolts. In my opinion, that is amazing value!

Understand that you getting extra parts. Even if you choose to do it cheaper, you aren't getting better value.

Car is brand new, so no need for rear brakes at the moment.
 
  #12  
Old 06-27-2017, 10:46 AM
trentiles's Avatar
trentiles
trentiles is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 377
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts
Originally Posted by antirich
Car is brand new, so no need for rear brakes at the moment.
Where are you finding the JCW front calipers for $600 total? They go for at least $600 EACH
 
  #13  
Old 06-27-2017, 10:51 AM
boubi's Avatar
boubi
boubi is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: south France
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 10 Posts
Originally Posted by antirich
OK, so it sounds like the only difference is the front system, which helps.

I can get two new JCW calipers/pads for $600, Centric makes a 335mm slotted rotors for the JCW at $220/pair. Just need the new dust shields and should be good to go, no?
Don't forget the ( different ) wheels !!
 
  #14  
Old 06-27-2017, 11:52 AM
DunkM's Avatar
DunkM
DunkM is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 351
Received 60 Likes on 51 Posts
Originally Posted by trentiles
But why spend the money if the rears are identical to the JCW rears minus the calipers being red?
For me a few reasons,

- at 30k miles I had almost worn down the rear brake pads and I always change rotors when I change pads.
- 500 dollars is cheap to get all of that equipment. especially since the rotors are anodized.
- the red looks incredible behind my black wheels.
-

In the end, it really came down to ease and peace of mind. I know the locktite is new and correct. I knew I had all the parts I needed and everything fit just so.

I understand that every person has a different situation, but to save less than 500 dollars really inst worth the concern to me. My time adds up to 500 dollars real fast and it wasn't worth the risk.

By all means, go ahead and do it your way. I whole heartedly approve. I simply wanted to suggest that purchasing through my dealer was very price competitive and a viable option.
 
  #15  
Old 06-27-2017, 03:19 PM
vetsvette's Avatar
vetsvette
vetsvette is offline
Moderator
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: South Central Virginia
Posts: 3,896
Received 450 Likes on 343 Posts
Originally Posted by trentiles
Where are you finding the JCW front calipers for $600 total? They go for at least $600 EACH
I only paid $1350 for the whole BBK.

Originally Posted by boubi
Don't forget the ( different ) wheels !!
^^^ This ^^^
 
  #16  
Old 06-27-2017, 04:24 PM
trentiles's Avatar
trentiles
trentiles is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 377
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts
Originally Posted by vetsvette
I only paid $1350 for the whole BBK.


^^^ This ^^^
Yeah pretty much all dealer sell it for that price. I was quoting individual caliper prices because OP said he was buying them separate.

I want this kit so bad but getting different wheels kills it for me as the price is very good for the brakes you get.
 
  #17  
Old 06-27-2017, 04:41 PM
vetsvette's Avatar
vetsvette
vetsvette is offline
Moderator
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: South Central Virginia
Posts: 3,896
Received 450 Likes on 343 Posts
If you keep an eye out there's a possibility of finding a used set of 3rd Get JCW wheels for sale, but I think you'd be happier if you save your nickels and pick up a set of NM RSe05 at ~16pounds vs ~24 pounds with the OEM wheels.
 
  #18  
Old 06-28-2017, 09:03 AM
TheBigNewt's Avatar
TheBigNewt
TheBigNewt is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,603
Received 103 Likes on 82 Posts
Not sure if this matters but I think the JCW front bumper has vents designed to cool the front brakes. I think on the Gen3 cars that eliminates the front fog lights. Mine has fogs but does have vent holes directed at the brakes.
 
  #19  
Old 06-28-2017, 09:12 AM
MarcoPolo's Avatar
MarcoPolo
MarcoPolo is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
Received 30 Likes on 24 Posts
f56 non-s has just fogs.
f56-s has fogs and brake ducts
 
  #20  
Old 06-28-2017, 10:20 AM
TheBigNewt's Avatar
TheBigNewt
TheBigNewt is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,603
Received 103 Likes on 82 Posts
Originally Posted by MarcoPolo
f56 non-s has just fogs.
f56-s has fogs and brake ducts
What does the JCW have? Somehow I remember no fogs. Something to do with the Brembos.
 
  #21  
Old 06-28-2017, 10:31 AM
MarcoPolo's Avatar
MarcoPolo
MarcoPolo is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
Received 30 Likes on 24 Posts
Originally Posted by TheBigNewt
What does the JCW have? Somehow I remember no fogs. Something to do with the Brembos.
you are right in that they do NOT come with fogs. i just don't know if that's brake ducts. i do know that the fogs were removed because behind the passenger fog is an add'l coolant tank.

people with jcw kits are also able to fit the fogs if they chose to.
 
  #22  
Old 06-28-2017, 11:25 AM
trentiles's Avatar
trentiles
trentiles is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 377
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts
S with fogs does in fact have brake duct's. you can just look in the wheel wells and see the ducts from the front bumper.
 
  #23  
Old 06-28-2017, 01:07 PM
TheBigNewt's Avatar
TheBigNewt
TheBigNewt is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,603
Received 103 Likes on 82 Posts
Makes sense. My JCW has fogs and brake ducts (and Brembos of course).
 
  #24  
Old 06-28-2017, 09:14 PM
vetsvette's Avatar
vetsvette
vetsvette is offline
Moderator
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: South Central Virginia
Posts: 3,896
Received 450 Likes on 343 Posts
The JCW has a small auxiliary radiator behind the grill (fog light location) on the drivers side. The other side is a blank grill that serves no purpose other than esthetics.
 
  #25  
Old 05-04-2021, 01:52 PM
Winger67's Avatar
Winger67
Winger67 is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 34
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
For ride comfort and looks I went from 205/45R17 to R81 wheels with 195/60R15 tires. Looks like I have some track time coming up in a couple weeks and since my Vette isn't ready I decided to try the Mini for some road course and autocross. Probably only do this once or twice a year and don't expect to be too competitive. I'm thinking new tires 205/50R15 like a Yokohama Adven A052 and replacing rotors/pads and at front calipers. From browsing this thread, looks like the best I can do with these wheels are to keep the stock carriers, replace with 280mm rotors, replace the calipers with R56, and R56 lines. Any other recommendations with brakes/tires or a recommended vendor for the brake parts? The car has 155k miles and not sure how old the calipers and rotors are but I figure they could use replacing before driving 500 miles to the event.






 



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:07 PM.