So I need new front pads and rotors. I don't race at all - but I drive the Mini fairly "enthusiasticaly" - about 50% of the time I'm braking at threshold.

So... I can get the stock rotors and pads for $300 - but I can get High performance ones for nearly the same price. Seems like a good investment - but if these pads and rotors are gonna last like 2 months, its a waste of money.

I'm considering the EBC Greenstuff pads ($79) vs. Hawk HPS pads($97). Mini owners seem to love the Greenstuffs on the forums - is this the way to go?

I'm going to pair those pads with new rotors. Between EBC Sport Rotors ($182) vs. Brembo Sport Drilled Rotors ($246) - what people think?

I'm leaning towards EBC both times, because of price, and it seems sensible to pair a companies stuff together.

I don't plan to replace the lines, and the fluid's only 1k miles old.

 

I'd say save the cash and get the blank Brembo rotors. I run the blanks and EBC's and have no complaints at all. Brembo blanks retail for about $40 each for fronts and I think about $60 for rears.

 

A lot of people seem to have a Hawk HPS/Powerslot Rotors set up. Everyone who have it happy with it?

 

I am.

 

I have Hawk HPS pads & love them. Many people say they stop better than the OEM pads. While I don't agree with that that statement I do think the Hawk HPS are very close to being as good as the OEM pads & they are very low dusting. My Hawks only dust in a week as much as the OEM pads dusted in a day. When I was researching new pads I saw a lot of EBC complaints on NAM so I stayed away from them.

I can only speak to the plain Brembo rotors that are equal to the OEM rotors... I paid extra for them thinking they would be better only to find that they are not any better than OEM & they rust terribly & immediately on all non-braking surfaces & look disgusting through your wheels. I am not a Brembo fan as you can see from my signature

If I was you (I drive spiritedly, taking off quick & stopping hard) I would go Hawk HPS with OEM rotors (which are inexpensive & do not rust on non-braking surfaces).

 

If you do go the route of Brembo blanks, just do like I did and tape off the hats and paint them. I knew rust was gonna happen so I beat it to the punch with about 3 good coats of flat black engine paint. What is the price on the OEM rotors, BTW?

 

it might be worth contacting porterfield. They make some of the best pads around and even though mini is not on their application list they'll gladly make you a custom set. They're a bit pricier but I'm sure it would be worth it if you're looking for better stopping power. It's the route I plan on going whenever I get around to changing pads.

 

I must humbly ask why you would want to spend more for Brembo OEM replacement rotors so you can go through the extra work of painting the hats so they won't rust when they provide no greater stopping power than OEM rotors & OEM rotors are primered out of the box so they do not rust

p.s... I plead ignorance for my woeful first-time Brembo purchase but I will never buy them again.

 

I paid $40 each for my Brembos. Show me where I can get OEM rotors that say MINI on the box for less.

 

Just because the Brembo OEM rotors rusted just like every other oem rotor does, does not mean they are an inferior product. Price has a lot to do with the prep work done.

I would suggest you go with the Brembo stock replacements if you are concerned about overall price, otherwise go for the powerslots. As for pads, go for the Hawk HPS+. A lot less dust and much better braking capabilities once warmed up.

 

Every other OEM rotor does not rust. The non-braking surfaces of my OEM rotors never rusted in 2 years. My Brembos looked like this in 2 days & they look even worse now...

 

Sounds like you got a good deal. OK lets say Brembos & OEMs are the same price. For the same money you can buy OEMs that don't rust or Brembos that rust horribly. Sure you can paint the Brembos to avoid the rust but why waste the time & extra money doing that when OEMs are primered to remain rust free out of the box. Plus the blank Brembos do not stop any better than the OEMs.

 

You got all worked up over that little bit of rust.........dude get over it.

I was not only reffering to MINI rotors, but all other OEM rotors. Just take a look at some of the rotors on cars in the parking lot.

Not a fair comparison between the expensive MINI rotors and the Brembo's. Of course all things being equal the stock ones would look better, but they aren't equal now are they.

 

I'm not a dude, dude

I can get all worked up if I want to. I care what my MINI looks like. My rotors show thru my wheels & look like crap from a mile away. If I had the money I would replace them & throw the Brembos in the trash. All I am doing is trying to save someone else from making the mistake I did & I will continue to do so whenever I see fit. Dude.

 

WOW...........kinda touchy. They're only rotors man !