So I've got a quote from the Mini dealership parts department for sensors, pads and rotors, $600, not installed. Plan on trying this myself (with supervision).

I'm shopping around to see if I can do better with aftermarket parts. Can anybody recommend good brands for the R57 that might save me some money and might even be better than stock? Appreciate everyone's input.

 

Last time I did my rotors, I used "centric" premium.....used the high carbon premium ones on the front, a slight upgrade, and the regular premium on the rear...beautifully finished, painted "hats" to limit rust...IMO they were better than the "Zimmerman" units I got the first time...
Pads are a whole different game....your choices will vary based on how you use your car, and how much you dislike dust vs your desire for feel, tempture need, etc...
One warning...many folks "upgrade" to a sport pad, and when warm, they are great, but cold, like a panic stop on the highway, they can sometimes leave something to be desired...
So be honest with how you use your car when picking pads...
As for sourcing the pars...have at it...lots of vendors, etc...just remember the shipping costs.

 

Thanks! This is my daily driver, maybe 60/40 hwy/city. Nothing crazy, just average commute. We do get some colder temps here in Tennessee in winter, so that's a consideration.

 

If you need everything we have a great cost effective kit with our WMW rotors and EBC pads that works great, plus lower dust. This is the same parts we would install if you came into our shop for the repair.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-red...-cooper-s.html

We offer all the parts individual if you don't need everything. Feel free to contact us with questions to help you pick what will work best for you.

 

I noticed all the models listed were "S" models, this is for a base convertible. Would it be an issue?

I found a power stop kit on rock auto (part K6298) that uses ceramic pads. Any thoughts on using ceramics on the base model?

 

Here is the non S kit
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-red...7-r58-r59.html

We don't install or use power slot rotors as we never had good luck with them.

 

Got it, thanks. I think I'll be in touch this week, looks very interesting. Much better than the $2000 quote I got this morning for OEM parts.

One thing, can wear sensors be reused or do they need to be changed whenever pads are swapped out?

 

Unfortunately you will need to replace both sensors, we keep them in stock too
http://www.waymotorworks.com/brake-p...5-r56-r57.html

 

I went with Akebono pads, as far as I know - made in the USA. Low to no dust, no squeals, good stopping power and good price.

 

Way provided OEM type discs and EBC Red Stuff pads when I needed them. Low dust (but still some dust, can't get away from it) and great performance hot or cold. Any service shop can install if you don't want to, there's no MINI magic to it, just everyday hardware. Make sure they torque the calipers properly.

 

A lot of people recommend the EBC Redstuff pads in the R56 world. I am running Brembo HP2000 pads on my fronts now and am happy with them. I never tried the Redstuffs. I've also used the Centric premium high carbon rotors on multiple vehicles with great success. AutoAnything.com has good prices and shipping, and often offers 15 percent off. Definitely get new rotors, don't turn/lathe the old ones.

You'll need a torx bit to remove the rotor hold down bolt, it might help to have a breaker bar to remove the caliper bolts if they're very tight. Also the brake fluid should be flushed if it's been 2 years since last done. Won't get into details here. You'll need new brake pad sensors in the front left and rear right wheels (it attaches to one of the pads), so 2 new sensors needed.

Good luck. It's rewarding doing your own brakes.

 

Oh yeah, +1 on the comment about race pads that don't work well when cold. I've even had that problem with "Street Performance" pads that didn't work well until the second or third application. That's not what you want for a daily driver, and unfortunately the literature often gives you a friction level/rating but doesn't mention at what temperature you get that friction level. The Brembo HP2000 pads work well when cold. So do the OEM pads.