Coming up on having to change my brakes. The computer says it needs it, I haven't had a look yet for physical inspection but had a few questions:


1. I'm told by my MINI dealership that the rotors need to be changed to new. I've always just turned my rotors. So do I need new rotors? Any suggestions or just go OEM?
2. I think I'm going aftermarket pads. Do I need to get some sort of brake sensors? All of my cars in the past never had any computer telling me to change the brakes so just curious if I need to do this.
3. Do I need someone to reset the computer to tell it that I changed the brakes?


Thanks in advance.

 

Use common sense on the rotors. Look at them and see how badly they are worn. They are softer so they stop better than the old school rotors that you turned. The brake sensors are there for your convenience. When mine wore down and tripped I just twisted the wire together and taped it off. After SEVERAL ignition cycles the light will go off. For safety reasons however, you should always follow the manufacturers directions.

 

1. You would only need new rotors if they are below the minimum thickness to be machined.
2. You will only need to change the sensors if they have been triggered (different to the service brakes symbol)
3. I'm guessing this has to be reset so the car knows new pads have been fitted.

 

I would just get new rotors. Centric Premium rotors are fairly inexpensive at AutoAnything.com and they offer 15-20% off frequently and free shipping. They sell pads too. There's a sensor in the front left and right rear corners. They are different sensors/part numbers. Since one of your sensors is worn down then it needs to be replaced. I don't remember if you need to reset the computer for the sensor but you can reset some computer things yourself through hidden menu in the instrument panel.

 

This thread tells you how to reset the computer after you replace the brake pad wear sensor: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ving-pads.html

 

My recent experience is that it is worth taking the wheels off and checking that you can get the (Torx) rotor securing screws out beforehand. Mine would not come out for love nor money and I had to get a local garage to get them out (hangs head in shame).

I fitted aftermarket pads and they are a nice step up from standard Mini pads - less bite around town and yet very powerful at speed.

Doing a manual brake service reset is easy - Youtube will guide you, though I found some inaccuracies.

 

there's a TON of threads on each and every question you ask ... search is your friend

what year/model .... some answers differ 'tween GEN1 and GEN2 car

conventional wisdom is todays rotors are made thinner to begin with to reduce weight so machining is typically not a good idea in that once skimmed, they are so thin as to not last a complete second pad cycle. Many of us use one set of rotors thru two sets of pads without resurfacing. Dealer recommendations vary - at one time MINI said always replace rotors with pads but not so much anymore. But in general, perfectly good rotors are cheap - if in doubt just change 'em. OE rotors have minimum thickness cast in ...



sensor must be 'replaced' if tripped to clear the indicator light (or by-passed). In theory sensor can be reused if not tripped (it works by being 'consumed') but getting one out of a used pad can be a problem as they get brittle over time due to heat. Typically only one has tripped .... there is one left front and one right rear. Here's a consumed sensor still in the pad ... the plastic is worn down and you can see the stubs of the wire loop which was broken to 'trip' the sensor



Rule of thumb on pad wear is when pad material is thinner than the backing plate it is time to be thinking about it. Used pad with white flash on backing plate



nearly new pad



one good source of brake parts is Way Motor Works ... he has several different packages. I like EBC red pads and a plain jane rotor but there's a zillion options and ask 3 people you'll get 5 recommendations

if you plan to DIY be aware the rear caliper piston must be TURNED while pressed to properly retract (part of the e-brake system). There is a tool that makes this easier but CAN be done without. (not unique to MINI)

 

Yep, the brake wear sensors do kinda weld themselves into the recess in the backing plate. I swapped my first brakes (to go from Cooper to S brakes) at under 10,000 miles and the (un-triggered) sensor did come out - but it lost the metal clip that holds it in the pad recess, so then it wouldn't stay in the new pads!



Some you win, but most you lose...