I'll need front brakes soon, they're 80% gone (the rears only 35%). My local repair shop quoted me $560 for OEM pads and $480 for aftermarket pads. That includes the rotors and sensors. Does that sound reasonable? I haven't tried Mini North Scottsdale. Thanks in advance.

 

If you can, source the parts on the internet and do the work yourself. Much cheaper and more satisfying.

 

I don't know how mechanically inclined you are but changing brakes, especially with a good DYI is a breeze! I'd suggest you get your own aftermarket rotors and pads and just do it yourself! Better yet, if you have money to spare, get the Wilwood BBK! They run about a grand but they're so worth it!

Also check this out: http://www.coopersport.com/56/BRK/

 

WOW that's one heck of a deal for those OEM dust bombs !

The R56 brakes are very easy to change. The hardest part is loosening the rotor locating bolt that holds the rotor to the wheel hub. The worst case scenario is that it's totally seized in the rotor and it will need to be drilled out. This usually happens to those who live in the rust belt where road salt is abundant. Aside from that it's really easy. There are several DIY guides on NAM on how to do the whole job.

 

So with normal use, how long do the rotors usually last? I've done my own brake jobs for years, but have never needed to install new rotors in any car we've owned.

Thanks,

Spridget

 

Yeah, that happened to me. What a pain.

Hard to say as there seems to be a lot of variation as to how long the brake pads last based on driving styles. Everything I read indicates the stock OEM rotors are pretty thin to begin with and effectively last only as long as the brake pads. Aftermarket rotors may last longer with some folks switching them every other pad change.

I didn't measure mine when I did my brake job, but they had a very noticeable lip on them from where they had worn down.

 

Really liking the those deals. Im thinking about doing breaks all around on my 2011 since Im not happy with the stopping power. Being able to do slotted rotors all around would be nice .

 

Thanks, but I'm not gonna do it myself. Is around $500 a reasonable price for some front pads/rotors/sensors? I know some go with ceramic pads to cut down the dust, but to be honest I don't care. I'll probably only have the car another year, so I'm not into expensive parts.

 

It was sometime last year, but I was quoted $880 to do all my brakes by the MINI dealer. Based on other posts I've seen, I think that tends to be on the low end. So for OEM, $500 seems to be in line. Might be able to get it cheaper shopping around and going aftermarket.

 

note that if your wear indicator lite hasn't come on the sensor is still good and can be re-used ... no need to pay for an un-needed sensor....

price: well using one typical vendor oft seen around here I think you'll confirm that front rotors are gonna run about $80 at up each and a set of pads in the neighborhood of $100 (you can easily spend more - these are fairly plain/average examples) sensor is around $23 (only one on each axle, front/back) so $300 for parts.... Your local autopart store MAY have these items on the shelf for less; rotor can be $$ to ship as they are heavy.

$200 for labor isn't horrible but many of us can do each wheel in about 30 minutes. IF we have the right tools . . .

p.s. MINI says change the rotors with every pad change. But not everyone follows that. Rotors have their minimum usable thickness stamped right on them . . .

 

The dealer quoted me $550 (+tax), so my local repairshop is the same for OEM, about $70 less for aftermarket.

 

If it's not going to matter much to you and the aftermarket parts are OEM equivalent and a name brand, you might as well just go with those. Both prices (OEM and aftermarket parts) seem pretty good if they include labor cost.

 

thats pretty normal for that quote. not too expensive. BUT if you do it yourself with that money its a full set ( front / rear)

 

I know, but I'm not doing it myself. I'll do the heart surgery, leave the brakes surgery to the pros

 

why? if u can do the heart surgery *im guessing everything related to the engine* then you are wayyy more capable of doing brakes. are u afraid that the car might drop on you??

 

I'd strongly recommend looking at aftermarket and DIY. Not only will you save lots of money, you'll get improved longevity, and excellent braking without the filthy wheels from the MINI brake dust. What I did, with my wife's 08 Cooper, was buy all new rotors (from pelican, but there are other choices) I got Zimmerman coated, very nice. And I bought Carbotech bobcat pads directly from Carbotech here in NC. They are 95-99% cleaner than OEM according to my in-house car washer (daughter) who probably appreciates this most of all. I bought new sensors (since the ones on the car had activated.) Braking quality is superb.
The original front brakes lasted us 20 to 25 thousand miles, and the rears were approximately twice that long. With 55 thousand miles on our MINI, and no longer under warranty or "free" service, it was time to make some smart changes and improvements. For us, this was a WINNER.

 

I will second 2fast2's post, definitely atleast look at doing your own brakes with aftermarket parts. I did my '05 with Brembo rotors and ceramic pads for under $200 early this year ordered online from Advance Auto Parts!

There are continually alot of sales at all parts houses going on due to the slacking economy, you should really be able to save some serious money with a little looking around.

 

not true - if the rotors are within spec they will not swap out your rotors. I've had front and rear replaced and just had pads done. I'm hoping to get the rotors replaced by Mini before my extended maintenance runs out at 100,000.

 

The price from your mechanic sounds very fair - I would go with aftermarket parts since the OEM do not last very long - My 07 MCS front OEM brakes wore out every 20K - I just had my mechanic replace the OEM with Zimmerman coated rotors and Akebon EuroCentric Ceramic pads for just a bit more than you were quoted. They are just now bedding in and they feel real nice... but time will tell how much if any longer they will last. Good luck with whichever whoa you pick.

 

not true - if the rotors are within spec they will not swap out your rotors. I've had front and rear replaced and just had pads done. I'm hoping to get the rotors replaced by Mini before my extended maintenance runs out at 100,000.

As an owner since 2002 that's the first time I've heard of a MINI dealer going this way - especially since industry practice generally does not recommend pads on old rotors unless they are turned and there are many reports of MINI dealers saying the rotors "can not be re-surfaced"

You may have a dealer that is reasonable....

one of my early dealers told me my pads were toast - the car had 40,000 miles on it when I came in for service (just out of pre-pay you might notice) and records surely showed they had not installed pads. You need pads and rotors and your cost is . . .

Funny thing . . . I'd put on new pads and rotors a few weeks b4 . . . now HOW did they miss new pads and rotors?

I'd have considered it a kwirk had the same thing not been reported by several owners - in the club - over the next few months

.... oh wait .... you are under a 100,000 mile extended & about to hit 100,000 and now they say you don't need rotors (rotors they pay for) ... and they ain't MINI . . .

sure ... no problem ....

 

If this is your first brake pad replacement, you probably don't need rotor and sensors. Just replace the pads.

 

I was told that my rotors were measured for width and are still within spec so they won't replace them...

 

quality for $50 bucks- don't waste your cash on anything else!!!!
"DIY Rotors and Pads, Silencing/solving a front end clunk"- search for this thread in this forum.