Well after less than 100 miles in my new mini, the front wheels are covered in a thick layer of brake dust, and the rear wheels have a smaller amount but still a significant amount. Is this normal for new brake pads on these cars? Any way to help reduce this?

 

Replace them with ceramics. The MINI brake pads are horrible about dust.
jason

 

Stop braking so hard

 

BMW is known to allow for high brake dust levels in exchange for better braking performance and lower noise. There are always trade-offs. You can pony up some cash and go aftermarket or just learn how to wipe off your wheels bi-weekly.

 

Will I need to change the rotors out also?

 

I believe it is. If you look at BMWs while you're out and about, you'll notice that they normally have excessive brake dust on the front wheels. I'm sure that Mini - being owned by BMW - is using a similar brake pad compound as the Beemers use.

If someone in the forum has already swapped out the pads on your R56 Mini, tell us what you're using, and where ya got 'em. I'm sorta curious about this myself.

In the meantime, a couple times a week I shoot the wheels with Mothers wheel cleaner (cool wheels, never hot), let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then hose it off. It does a great job of removing 95% of the brake dust. I use my leaf blower to dry 'em off.

 

It's the price you pay for quiet, short stops. It comes off quickly with a sponge & water.

 

As someone with white wheels, I will be the first to say that replacing them with ceramic pads like the Hawk pads beat cleaning them every other day, any day!
jason

 

wax the wheels, so much easier to clean...

 

The mothers err meguires..One of them..Has Coconut butter works really well..Even if sligthly diluted.

 

Im going to order white wheels as well. Which pads do I use for it? SInce not much 07 stuff is out, won't the 06 JCW brake pads fit from EBC? I heard they share the same brake system.

 

Works wonders. Just spray it on, give it a minute or so to work it's magic, then hose off you sparkling clean wheels. I use it every weekend on my Xterra, and it takes 5 minutes or so for all 4 wheels. I'll definately be using it on my MINI as well.

It's amazing how much better even a dirty car can look when it's wheels are clean!

 

I have white painted wheels on my R53 that will be going on my R56. Because I'll be using OEM pads like I have with the R53 I'll continue to use "Wheel Wax"... great stuff, apply 2 layers to the fronts and 1 to the rears, dust wipes off with a terry or microfiber towel without having to put any effort into it.

 

How does Wheel Wax compare to Prima's Wheel Shield?

 

I have more than brake dust on my wheels. It almost looks like brake fluid has seeped somehow and STAINED the wheels. Will this all wheel cleaner clean the mess? I am sure if I waxed the wheels, this discoloration will come off. I'm hoping to hear someone else might be having this problem as well?

 

It takes 200 plus miles for your pads to be broken in. Soap and water work as well as those expensive sprays. Actually, soap and water work better.

 

no ceramics available for the 07's yet. Not that I have found....

 

That's a shame hopefully they'll be out by the time I take delivery in October.

 

I've got Mintex red pads on my X5, and love them. They are not yet available for the R56, however.

One word of caution: If you replace your pads with non-oem pads, MINI will not cover the rotors under the no charge 3/36 maintenance program. So, it would be wise to save your old oem pads, and re-install them if you ever have warped rotors, if you get my drift...

 

Soap and water work better? Not in my tests. I use the wheel cleaner from Griott's Garage, which I'm sure is similar to what other's have mentioned. With the wheels COLD, I spray the stuff on, let it sit a few minutes in the shade, and then with a fairly high pressure nozzle (NOT a pressure washer), just blast em off. Requires very little effort. The best test was when one of my fellow Grinnall Scorpion owners was here on a visit, and his car was dirty but his wheels were FILTHY. During cleanup, I whipped out the wheel cleaner and he was amazed at how it worked. The stuff sort of HANGS on the wheel and does it's thing. I'm stickin with the wheel cleaner, thanks.

 

I got the extened maintenance to 6 years(?) 100k so I guess I will need to keep those oem pads handy

 

Are PADS & ROTORS covered now on the R56? They weren't on the R53 I bought new back in late 2002! I went thru a pair at the back in 22,000 miles & the dealer billed me over US $500 to replace with factory parts.

When I faced up to replacing the fronts at 30,000 I went with Speed Disk slotted rotors & EBC GreenStuff pads on all corners for just under US $750 back then & did the install myself in about four hours.

Those were still on the '03 when I sold it (last Saturday!!) with just under 133,000 miles on the clock. About 2mm pad material on all 8 pads, but the rotors were just about toast.

To my (albeit limited) knowledge there are no aftermarket pads OR rotors yet available for the R56's. If someone knows otherwise, PULEEZE let us know! I have over 8,000 miles on my R56 since taking delivery back in April & all the brake dust on m y wheels must mean those pads are wearing as fast as the R53's did!!

 

Amazing timing on this thread. I have had my MCS for about 5 days. Loving it. However, on Day 3 I noticed how much brake dust there was. Started to wonder if this was normal. Glad to see it is. Just got back from Target with my Meguires wheel cleaner. Now my main goal is to wear them out before the warranty elapses!!

 

If you race, autocross, etc. this is not likely a solution for you, but if you are just a normal commuter and are sick of the dust, try PBR/Axxis Deluxe Plus organic pads. They will last as long or longer as the stock pads and feel the same, but practically no dust, and what dust you do get is a lite grey/tan. No noise either. Just a very good, quiet, clean street pad. (Pretend they are stock pads with very little dust).

The rotors on the MINI are extremely soft. Ceramic pads (Mintex, EBC, Hawk, etc.) work great but will take their toll on your stock rotors.

This is just a suggestion for commuters who want to get rid of the dust. All four wheels <$100.00 at Import Replacement Parts. I have no afillation with IRP, just bought the pads and am very happy.

YD

 

I took off my OEM pads after almost crashing at the track last year and put on Ferodo 2500s. Geeez...talk about dusting...grrrrrr. They held the car well at the track, but the dusting and noise were too much for me so I changed to hawk HPS all around...less dust and no noise. However, I'm thinking of going to Mintex Red or Hawk Ceramics whenever these wear down.