We have a 2011 Countryman S manual. This wasn't our daily driver, but daughter now has it at college. The mileage is only around 26000. Car is out of warranty due to age not mileage. An indicator light came on recently about the brakes. So we made a few calls to dealerships and local MINI and BMW shops. Dealers quoted $950, independents quoted $800 or so. They all say that rotors need to be replaced automatically?!
At that low mileage can't we just do pads? We just want to do the correct thing and not pay for unnecessary repairs.
Thanks all.

 

There's nothing 'special' about MINI brake systems. Take it down to Billy Bob's brake pad and live bait shop and get new pads installed. At only 26K miles, there's no way the rotors can be worn down that much after just one set of pads.

 

Probably just need only fronts or rears unless your daughter rides the brakes.

 

Thanks so much! So after reading the responses I did a bit of research online and found a tire and brake place near her school with nice online feedback and gave them a call. They agreed that at under 30k miles it's pretty unlikely that we'll need anything more than pads. They offer a free inspection and he even told me where to find an online coupon if we decide to use them to change the pads.
I will update after she gets an estimate.

 

If the light came on, you'll need to buy new pad wear sensors too.

I dont know about the countryman, but on my R53, the pads wore at about the same rate as the rotors. I replaced both at the same time.

 

Here is an application guide that has some good brake information.

http://new.minimania.com/Mini_Cooper...lacement_Guide

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