The brakes on my Cooper (non-S) provide little braking until i depress the pedal to a certain point where the brakes grab and sling me in to my seat belt.

I was hoping this would pass after 21k miles, but it's not improving.

Is this a common problem among Coopers?

Is there a fix for this behavior?

 

Sounds like your braking system needs some major attention. get it to a dealer ASAP. My non s brakes are as smooth as silk.

 

I put on Hawk performance Ceramic pads and they are terrific - smooth quick stopping and practically no brake dust.

 

My brakes used to grab right away. Took a feather touch to stop smoothly. Not sure why you have some pedal movement without braking. I'd ask the dealer about that.

Because of the copious amounts of brake dust produced by the factory pads, I switched to Carbotech 1521 Bobcat pads. The feel of the brakes is significantly improved; much easier to control. Also, almost no brake dust.

 

It has been my experience that the brakes MINI uses have a whole lot of initial bite. It takes a soft touch not to have them really grab.

I did not like that feel & replaced my brake pads with Hawk ceramics. Low dust & not as grabby, for me they are perfect.

 

After 20,800 miles on my "JustaCooper" I have no issued with the brakes what so ever, I just had the Front Pads replaced by the Dealer, I could tell they had been replaced by the feel, but don't any issues with having to stand on the brakes to get Molly to stop. The feel is very light and when I need to brake I brake, if I need to slow down light pressure is all that is needed to slow the car down.

I would concur with other's who have said to have the Dealer take a look. What does your OBC say about your Front/Rear Brakes needing service??!!

 

I have never experienced anything like the above, brake application is always smooth and effective. It is the 'release' that could work better.

It is difficult to perform a 'limo-stop'; meaning a gradual release of braking at end of stop, so the suspension returns to level at a smooth rate.

Don't know if this is due to 'brake-grab' or is characteristic of the suspension.

 

That sounds scarry!!! Make sure there is no brake fluid on the rotos. Maybe one or more pistons is leaking.

Good luck with it!

A~

 

Sounds like it's time for brake service. I had that problem also and finally my red brake light came on and I had all four pads replaced. Now smooth as a baby's bottom.

V

 

Relax.......this is normal for MINI's. They have a very "grabby" pad stock. No real way to modulate them easily.

New aftermarket pads will eliminate this problem.