Mechanic brought me under my R57 during service today and explained that my rear wheels were not spinning freely as they should. I agree there seemed to be some friction, though they're not locked up or anything. They want to fix by replacing the rear calipers entirely. Anybody have any experience with this?

Also, could use some advice on aftermarket brake components (pads and rotors), trying to save some cash over OEMs, but want a quality product.

 

I just replaced my rotors and Brake pads, cleaned my calipers replaced piston bellows and screws and painted them along with shock replacement and ireland fixed camber plates. The shocks were Koni FSD's and the Rotors were from Adams but ECS and Waymotors have full brake kits that can get you where you wanna be. Wayland From Waymotors is and incredibly nice guy and will steer you in the right direction for what you need and his prices are great. Depends on what you want to do! I recently had the dealership quote me on my front brakes and rotors and I decided to take the plunge and wrench it myself. Was easy enough but time consuming because it was my first time attempting it. There is a lot of info online via written and videos so you need to educate yourself before diving in either way. Some like ebc brake pads I chose Hawkes....to each their own ..read all you can about the components then make a decision. Only you can decide what you want and in the end it is your car. Good luck and keep us posted to how you make out.

 

Sounds like the rear calipers have the rear dragging brake symptom from stuck , rusted / brake cables. See below.

Gen 2 R56 MINI Cooper hardtop (2007+) & R57 MINI Cooper Convertible (2009+) Models , look at the 34406769955KT kit.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-caliper.html




If the cables are fine, check the slider pins on the rear caliper. And sliding freely.

Then go to the brakes. Do you have an S or a Cooper ( NON S ) ? Or maybe JCW brakes of a factory JCW ?

 

Haven't seen the cables, will check when I change out the pads and rotors. I've heard of the slider pins being a possible culprit, like you said. Will check both. This is a non-S R57, stock brakes.

 

+1 on check the cables, then the slider pins, they are internal with a rubber flex boot, Sometimes water and crud gets under the boot and the slider stick.

Brakes:

2009 R57 MINI Cooper Convertible ( NON S )

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2009-Cooper-R57-Base-Convertible-L4_1.6L_N12B16A/Braking/Rotors/

&

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2009-Cooper-R57-Base-Convertible-L4_1.6L_N12B16A/Braking/Pads/

 

Typically, when the cables fail, they don't lock the rear calipers, the won't engage the caliper. When the rear calipers are binding, it's usually the caliper that needs replacing.

As far as brakes and rotor, there are a number of good quality replacement rotors available. You're probably best off buying them locally since shipping heavy rotors is expensive. As far as pads, we like the Hawk HPS pads for a good street performance pad.