I have Mini Cooper S 2009 R56.
I found rear+front rotors+pads for $160 (it was $208) from TRQ. I've purchased in the past same set from Zimmerman brand. I can buy same set of Zimmerman brand from Pelicanparts but for $370. It's $210 more. Does it worth it? The biggest question is it safe to buy TRQ for only $160?

 

Safe? I’m sure they are “safe” to use.

However, double check the application, because you mention Cooper S, but that kit you linked is for the base model. The rotors will be too small, and the pads won’t fit correctly in your calipers.

I’ve had decent experiences with RockAuto brake kits…

 

You're right. I didn't notice. I also so these rotors for $27. They fit my car and it seems a good brand, but I don't undertand why it's so cheap. Should I just go with Zimmermann instead? I'm really lost here.

 

Those are rear rotors. Fronts should be a little bit more expensive.

If all you want is an inexpensive kit to flip the car, I would go with this:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=13824&jsn=390

If you plan on keeping the car, and want a decent daily driver set up, go with this one:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=13824&jsn=407

There are better kits, but these two options are pretty inexpensive. The Zimmerman rotors have a slightly better coating for rust prevention, but they seem overpriced to me.

 

Well, if the "more" expensive option ($180) is substantially better then $150, then the $30 difference doesn't matter to me in this case since it will take time to sell the car. I just saw videos on youtube how the pads fall off during driving and damage rotors and that's why I wasn't sure (worried) about $150-$180 kits vs at least double ($370) from Zimmermann on Pelicanparts. If $150-$180 will indeed last at least half year, then I might go with it. But, as I mentioned, I'm more worried about safety.

P.S. I still need to buy 2 wear sensors which are $15 each on Pelicanparts.

 

This past weekend I put a TRQ set on a Honda daily driver. Too early to tell how they'll hold up. They looked fine. Geomet coated so they will hold off rust a little longer than non-coated.

I imagine many of these companies get their parts from the same suppliers in Asia.

 

I don't get then why would people spend $500+ on brakes if for a daily driving a $150 kit is enough?

 

You will see the biggest difference between cheap pads and some that are slightly more expensive. Cheap pads will either have poor grab and take slightly more effort to stop, or start to fade after some longer harder stops. If you find that to be true with whatever pads you buy, just modify your driving habits to accommodate.

 

want the best, some people good enough is okay. All depends on your wallet and ROI profile. Same can be true on the different classes of cars ( Economy vs luxury - both function on getting you there, but it is how they do it ! )

 

There are some of us who daily drive their weekend warriors, I’m one of them. For me solid rotors, EBC yellows, SS lines, and a good dot4 with a high boiling point works well. Yeah the brake dust is crazy, but the price I pay for the better stopping power. I’ve run this same setup on my former R55s and immediately switched everything once I bought the r53. Now one the other hand when I did the wife’s RAV4 we did centric coated rotors, Akebono ceramic pads. She’s been happy with it, they are quiet and was way cheaper than the dealership. They have been through our trip to Florida from Ohio and maybe a couple trips on the dragon with a kayak on board 😁

 

And just because i know Nik will want pics....

 

This is the best!!

 

whats even better she was pushing people out of the way too. I might have made a early morning run in her rav4, i needed to make sure leaves and sticks where off the road. I had hunters getting out of my way and laughing as me and the kayak fly by. yes i might have a screw loose, but its the right screw to be loose 😁

 

Just a note, the rear pads are likely not compatible with the original rear calipers on a Gen 1 Mini Cooper for either kit