Motoringfile recently published a MINI buyers guide that states: The last of the 2006 Cooper S (R53) built between October and November 2006, might have had the JCW Brakes now standard on the 2007 Cooper S (R56).

This seems logical because they probably switched to new brake inventory before stopping R53 production.

But here is the kicker. How can you tell? What are signs to look for?

I have an 06 R53 built in Week 44. Right in between those months. After looking through Motoringfile, I cannot find any clue. Can any one please help?

 

See https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=jcw+brakes

I have one of the last 06 Mini's built according to Mini USA. Built Thursday of the last production week and it came with regular brakes, no JCW or 07. Look at the pictures on Real OEM from a link in the thread I linked to above. Look at your brake calipers. I'm very certain you will find Motoring File is again smoking crack.

 

It's a smattering of cars (I'm told depending on the day and the parts on hand) but it was confirmed by both a plant employee and at least one US spec November '06 production R53 I've seen.

How can you tell? Rotor size is the easiest way. Just pull up to a Cooper. If they're bigger, they're the JCW. If they're not, they're the standard R53 brakes.

 

What a niftly little tidbit.

Kinda like when Hotwheels cars have the wrong wheels on them.

 

Aren't JCW brake calipers also red?

Also, I don't believe 15" wheels will fit around JCW brake calipers so if you're planning on getting 15" steelies for snowtires.....

 

Seems strange, because aren't all of the new convertibles still coming with the "standard" brakes, and not the JCW ones?

If the factory ran out of standard brake assemblies a year ago and started substituting JCW versions, wouldn't all of the convertible "S" models delivered in the past 12 months have come with them?

If there have been confirmed cases of people getting JCW brakes last year without ordering them, perhaps the factory just had a temporary parts shortage and upgraded a few units to keep the assembly lines moving?

 

I have the JCW brakes as a dealer installed option, you cannot fit the 15" wheels and only some 16" wheels. If they made the switch it was proably only on cars ordered with the sport package.

 

I was thinking the same thing....No JCW brakes here....

 

My JCW Calipers are Red.

 

JCW calipers are always red. R56s and the '06 R53s that have the upgraded brakes do not have red calipers.

 

I would disagree. I have personally put 15" alloy wheels on a customer's car that was a JCW brake car.

They were OZ Super Leggera's. They were close, but they cleared.

 

No stock wheels, 16" or 15", are recommended by MINIUSA. Which kind of sucked for the JCW package because this made 17" wheels mandatory. Though I do believe the JCW in Germany you could get the 16" Bridge Spokes with the JCW package. I do know the v-spokes fit over the JCW brakes but the wheel weight has to be moved to another area on the wheel as not to hit the caliper.

 

Well we know that the new R56 (2007 Cooper S) does come with the JCW brake kit standard, and they are not Red. I have the Sport Package, so size is not an issue.

I will look out to see if my rotors are any bigger. They sure do feel like they stop very well. Thanks for the tip.