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JCW GarageInterested in John Cooper Works (JCW) parts for your 2nd Generation MINI? This is where JCW upgrades and accessories for the MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs are discussed.
The JCW Sport Brake Kit went on yesterday. It is a very straight forward installation and it looks amazing.
I had no issues with the E-Bbrake hookup. That was a relief; everything hooked right up and went together smoothly.
I highly recommend the Motive Power Bleeder for this or any brake work where you will be working with the fluid. It saves you so much time and thoroughly bleeds the system leaving no air behind.
One quick note, you will be adding 2 pounds per rotor on the front and 1.5 pounds per rotor on the rear of the MINI.
The first drive after new brakes is never good. They always feel weak. I should have them "broken in" tomorrow and plan on putting them through the twisties!
I had the front-only JCW brake kit fitted last week. The extra weight is quite noticeable in the steering, which surprised me. It's not just me either - my 20yo son - who reckons he can't tell the difference whether the sport button is on or not - had a drive and asked if the steering was heavier than usual. Tyre pressures and alignment are all OK, so I can't put it down to anything except the heavier brakes. (Mine's a JAC, so the difference in weight might be greater.)
I had the front-only JCW brake kit fitted last week. The extra weight is quite noticeable in the steering, which surprised me. It's not just me either - my 20yo son - who reckons he can't tell the difference whether the sport button is on or not - had a drive and asked if the steering was heavier than usual. Tyre pressures and alignment are all OK, so I can't put it down to anything except the heavier brakes. (Mine's a JAC, so the difference in weight might be greater.)
That is odd... The front only JCW Brake Kit is the same size rotor as the factory rotor so it should not be any heavier. I have not noticed any difference with regards to my steering.
what kind of paint did you use to paint the rotor hats?
I used a high-temp red caliper paint from DUPLI-COLOR. It's available in most auto parts stores. They came already primed grey so it only made since to paint them RED!
The full kit runs $1,999.00 but I got mine for $1,600.00 with a discount through the MINI dealer...
I got a similar discount through my MINI dealer, so you should ask for one! (Weirdly, the discount meant waiting until the end of the week when the order went through their weekly stock order rather than a one-off )
That is odd... The front only JCW Brake Kit is the same size rotor as the factory rotor so it should not be any heavier. I have not noticed any difference with regards to my steering.
That explains it! The rotor is a LOT bigger than the standard Cooper rotor.
(Mine is a Just-A-Cooper - and the base wheel size is only 15" which the JCW brakes certainly wouldn't fit inside - in fact, it looks like they would be a tight fit on 16"s too.)
Last edited by pw4; Apr 3, 2009 at 06:20 PM.
Reason: Clarifying the JAC bit
That explains it! The rotor is a LOT bigger than the standard Cooper rotor.
(Mine is a Just-A-Cooper - and the base wheel size is only 15" which the JCW brakes certainly wouldn't fit inside - in fact, it looks like they would be a tight fit on 16"s too.)
Spot on!! The Cooper-Lite front brakes are smaller than the Cooper "S" brakes. Yes a MINI 16" wheel will will fit but not the 15" MINI wheels.
What you read about heavier steering might be my comment further down in this thread. But I was replacing Cooper (non-turbo) brakes, and the standard Cooper discs are smaller and lighter. The difference is less than the Sport button makes - it's noticeable but not a problem.
Brakes look awesome dude. i swapped out my 18" R95's for 17x7 Oz Super T GT's yesterday. The car is totally transformed and much more mpg now as a bonus!