Is it possible and/or worth it to upgrade brakes on an S Countryman?

For instance, the JCW brakes? If I was going to do any performance mods (like Dinan Tune/etc...), I'd probably want to also increase stopping ability.

But I also have no clue as to options or cost...

Any thoughts or resources you can point me to would be helpful.

Thank you!

 

The factory brakes have sufficient stopping capability. They will suffer if you take the car to the track and subject it to high speeds which brings with it more braking and then the brakes can suffer from the heat. In this case bigger brakes -- but they might still need better cooling -- can help.

Bigger brakes add more unsprung weight and impact performance. Takes energy to spin bigger brake discs.

Really absent spending time on a road course stock brakes are fine. But mind the brake fluid. A brake fluid flush/bleed every 2 years is highly recommended even if MINI doesn't call for it that often.

 

@RockC Fair argument. Appreciate it. Thank you

 

[QUOTE=RockC;4646322 A brake fluid flush/bleed every 2 years is highly recommended even if MINI doesn't call for it that often.[/QUOTE]

I think every 2 years is recommended by Mini. I do a complete flush every two, and in between, I do one "turkey baster" aspiration/refill of the reservoir.

I will say that in a "seat of the pants" back-to-back comparison of the S and the JCW, the JCW brakes are noticeably better. I don't know if the brake rotors and calipers are the only difference. But, better brakes will stop you in a shorter distance. As far as the increased weight...well, maybe the extra few pounds make a tiny difference on a timed course, but, if you're going the racing route, buy a JCW...the increased power will more than overcome any weight penalty.

 

Yes, the JCW has good brakes. (Last Monday I just traded in an S for a JCW.) But that the JCW has better brakes does not mean the S brakes are junk and need upgrading.

As with the S brakes almost certainly the Countryman brakes have sufficient braking force to lock the tires up if the brakes are applied hard enough. Thus the brakes are not the limiting factor in braking the tires are.

Using the vehicle on the track, on a road course, changes the picture considerably. At some point better brakes -- larger with better cooling -- will be called for. But the OP expressed no indication track use was in the car's future.

Even on the track generally the stock brakes are good up to a point, up to the point the heat build up gets to them. Often a contributing factor is the driver "riding" the brakes. This has the brakes applied for longer and heat build is more and the brakes get hot and start to fade. This is a sign the session should be over. Take a cool down lap then get off the track for a bit. If one wants to stay out longer then at least better brake cooling (and better braking technique) is needed.

The OP mentioned a tune... With a tune and possibly more power and possibly a higher top speed unless the OP expects to make back to back to back high speed runs with the need to brake hard after each one more braking is really not justified.

However, more braking, well, at least bigger brakes, calipers in red, etc., can be desired for esthetics to be sure. And the desire for better esthetics justifies the upgrade.

 

Hey I’m the OP here!

but i think RockC is probably closer to my reality. I have zero intention of going to the track so it would be merely (mostly) if I’m adding more power to go i should add more power to stop.

i do just like the general idea and small increase in aesthetics though.

im probably due for a brake job shortly so just trying to plan…maybe just do an upgrade then. On ECS, their upgrade kit is 2217$. Depending on how much to install, maybe…

but either way i appreciate all the advice. Thank you both.

 

Agreed! With stickier tires than the stock run-flats you'll stop in a shorter distance in a maximum effort. Perhaps no difference in distance required between the S and JCW on the first few stops (other than pedal pressure...JCW takes less pressure at the same rate of slowing). It's when they get hot that the difference between the two begin to show up.

Can't argue about visuals...I have slotted rotors because I like the way they look (and, they don't squeal as much since the slots seem to keep the glaze off of the pads). Also have aftermarket wheels partly because I like to be able to see the red calipers better.

 

I put PowerStop drilled and slotted rotors and pads front and rear on my F60 CM. The rotors were due to be replaced as they had developed a slight vibration and I also suspect that the pads were a bit glazed. They were cheap Chinese crap that came with the car when I bought it 2.5 years ago.

The new brakes are a big upgrade and I stayed with the OE rotor diameters as they were quite generous from the factory. I also upgraded to DOT4 fluid (because why not) and the brake feel is very nice with a really progressive feel and excellent bite, even when cold.

I bought them from Rock Auto. They were very attractively priced and a great upgrade for this track day enthusiast amd racer (though not in this car!)



These are the best shots I could find. It’s winter here so please excuse the dirt and grime. If you zoom in you can see the rotors.

 

I think I'm also due for pads soon, which is also causing me to think that now is the time.

Will the car give you a notification when you need some (I heard there is a wear sensor)...or do you tell via the "old fashioned" way of the grinding/scraping noise from the pad indicator?

 

There are wear sensors, one each on front and rear and mounted on the diagonal from one another. You will get a warning when the brake pads are below a certain thickness. Somewhere less than 5 mm. It’s still worth it to do a wheels-off visual check since: a) the wear indicators are not on both sides of the car on each axle and; b) they are on the outboard pad.

if your right foot tells you that you are due for a replacement, replace them. Modern cars typically require the replacement of both pads and rotors at the same time, as the rotors can’t be machined and are likely below minimum thickness at the same time the pads are.

 

@eric.stewart I just hear a little scraping between 5mph and stop. No pedal feel difference. But I'll probably bring it in and have them checked.

 

FYI...I did bring it by MINI today to get the brakes checked. The guy said I'm fine and probably have about a year's left on the pads.

I asked him about cost to replace and of course they recommend doing rotors at the same time as pads, so he said about 1100 for the front and 800 for the rear...so 1900 combined.

Impressive.

So I floated the idea of upgrading to JCW. He really didn't know, but was thinking in the 3-4 range, but was unsure if the JCW/Brembo calipers would fit in the wheel as they are bigger than the S calipers. So, who knows, maybe my decision might be made for me.

 

I replaced mine with the Powerstop front and rear (rotors/pads) and very happy with them. Performance and wear improved.

 

Wow. At those prices, I'm glad I do my own brake work! For less than 300.00 I replaced all four rotors and changed to ceramic pads.

 

@Mini-Titan To be fair, that is the dealer, which is typically overpriced. I'd imagine that you didn't use OEM, which are also typically overpriced.

But either way, I'd love to try, messing with the brakes do scare me a bit though. I play with the infotainment system, the worst that happens, I'm without music for a bit...

 

The brakes are easy to do. The Powerstop kit from rockauto is a good deal and comes with everything including new sensors and grease. You need a special E-torx for the rear caliper bracket and special tool that turns the caliper cylinder in as it pushes back, but that's it. OEM brake parts and labor are silly really, especially if one is inclined to do it.

 

@2014 MC @Mini-Titan Yeah...that may have come across wrong. Sorry about that.

Trying to say, I only checked with the dealer today and I'm not shocked the price is high. I'm curious what an independent shop would charge if I got them the necessary parts (those are easy to get online).

As for being inclined. I really do want to...just not sure I have the spot to do it (no garage). I have time though...I don't absolutely need them yet. So I'll be looking into this one.

Is this what you were talking about?
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...43812&pt=13824

You said, you couldn't be happier...Is that because of the bang for the buck....or would they be as good as the OEM S brakes?

Thank you

 

It depends upon what your definition of "good" is. For me, "good" means LESS DUST by going with Ceramic pads, the appearance of the slotted rotors, and fewer dollars. There is a satisfaction of doing it myself which is a bonus to me, but, for others may be a cancelation of every other positive. Surely there's an independent shop that will do the same job as the Dealership, for half the cost, and you could get the less-dusty ceramic pads at that lower cost.

 

I guess I mean "good" as in...do they perform as well? Stopping distance, similar feel/fade, etc.

 

I have Power Stop Evolution Sport on the rear and Street Warrior (got to love those names!) on the front. They seem to be holding up well to our harsh and salty winters here in Ottawa, Canada area.

 

@eric.stewart What model MINI do you have? and do the rakes perform as well (stopping distance, feel, fade, etc...)?

 

You can see my 2018 F60 a couple of posts above in the thread :-)
They are superior in every way to the brakes which were on it. They have excellent feel and very authoritative and progressive stopping power. The pads are quiet despite being a carbon fibre/ceramic compound. I can't tell you anything about fade since I don't do repeated stops from high speed, but I suspect that with the DOT 4 fluid I am now using that they will take a pounding. They are a very quality looking part and the price is extremely reasonable. They also look cool poking through the spokes on the black wheels.

 

@eric.stewart thank you, and sorry about that, I think I got mixed up with the posts. But that's exactly what I was looking for. I have a 2019 F60 S...so very comparable.

Thank you...and I apologize @2014 MC for the confusion.

 

Yes, the link you show are the ones Z23 that I have and very happy with the cost, performance, lasting long, quiet, low dust, etc.

 

I went with the F57 Big Brake Kit (4 piston Bembos, slotted and dimpled rotors) from ECS Tuning and love them.
With rural roads in Texas at 70 + mph and many ways for farm trucks to pull out in front of me, stopping can be an adventure sometimes.

I can absolutely tell a difference over the stock Countryman S brakes with EBC red pads. Only issue came with the need to change wheels.

Not a cheap option, but with the JCW tune and exhaust it seemed that the brake upgrade was a good idea.