For those who can accept a math challenge, I offer my rotor measurements.

A little history: I bought my 2010 MC automatic in July 2010 with 5 miles showing on the odometer. After reading so much about brake wear, I was inspired to do a rotation at 1800 miles and measured rotor thickness on the left front and rear. The rotors are marked for minimum thickness: front - 20.4 mm and rear - 8.4. Of course I had to measure the current thickness to determine what I had to work with.

At 1800 miles, the left front was 21.82mm and the rear was 9.9mm.

Yesterday, at 14,240 miles the left front was 21.72mm, and the left rear was 9.88mm.

Before you say they must have worn more than these numbers indicate, let me explain that I live in Western NC, away from the over populated coasts and most of my driving is highway. If I drive like and old man, it's because I am.

I have done the calculation for the front rotor (using the few brain cells that still function) and would like to see what someone who's not so challenged can calculate. My calculation was figuring wear to minimum thickness based on the current rate of wear.

 

For the right driver I can see it is possible.
I have an 04 with 71k, original rotors and they are still within spec. My rotors will not make it to 100k but for the right driving I could see it.

 

If wear was the only consideration, sure....
But not using them much leads to rust...and then unevevn wear....
Heck my rear rotors rusted to needing replacement before i needed front pads....road salt, humidity...maybe not heating them up to dry by not getting on my brakes....
Goodluck!!!

 

as the rotor gets thinner it also loses the ability to deal with heat... less thermal ability. it is more likely that they will warp well before minimum thickness is achieved.

 

The stock rotors and pads on my '02 MCS lasted 90k miles before they were toast. The rear pads went slightly quicker than the front.

 

2004 Titan w/108k. All original front and rear brakes still. For all the owners who complain about the brakes on this truck I'm doing fine. Seen probably 60/30 city/hwy over the years.

 

You guys must all drive like old ladies! My stock rotors lasted maybe 24,000 miles. ('06 JCW cab)

 

My stock brakes were done at 22,000 miles.

 

My 2006 MC was at 109K mi with the original set of brakes when it was totaled. Mostly highway driving for me, too. Was surprised and pleased to get that much life out of them.

 

It seems that most of the U.S. population is concentrated near the coasts which results in bumper to bumper traffic. I lived there too for most of my life and you're on the gas or on the brakes so often, while trying to keep with the "flow".

In a way, brakes are like the eraser on a pencil. Use it often and it's gone before the pencil.

Where I live now, there are lots of twisties and double yellow lines for miles sometimes. The lead car is probably doing the speed limit, while the car behind is tailgating. This results in the second car having to brake time and time again to avoid a collision. I'm behind them at a reasonable distance wondering how the driver will react when the mechanic says, "Lady/Sir your brakes are shot and they need to be replaced. And while we're at it, you need new tires too." This driver with less than 20,000 miles on the car is not a happy camper.

Now if you're a MINI driver and your sport is driving at the ragged edge, you are accepting the results.

 

Oops, sorry, today's mechanic would probably say we need to throw some brakes on and slap on some tires!