I have ordered a 2005 Cooper S automatic. I'm wanting to put in EBC Green pads as soon as it arrives but have noticed that at least one supplier shows them with and without sensor holes. Which ones do I need? Will it hurt just to get the ones with sensor holes even if I don't need them?

 

Its not really a hole, more of a knotch in the brake pad backing plate. Mine didn't have the knotch so I had to zip-tie the wear sensor to the brake line. No big deal if you remember to check your pad wear every now and then.

 

Here's a small post I put up on MINI2 about this:


I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but in the U.S., all 2003 and on MINI's have the wear sensor on the front. 2004 and on MINI's all have the wear sensors on the front AND the rear. Most aftermarket brake pads for the MINI (Mintex, EBC, etc.) are available with the slots for the front sensor to fit into. However, at this time, the ONLY aftermarket pads that offer the slot for the rear wear sensor (that I'm aware of) are the EBC's.

I have a set of the rear EBC Green Stuff pads on my 2005 MCS and they do indeed have the slots (the pads with the wear sensor slots are brand new and so if you order them, make sure that you specify that you need the rear pads with the sensor slot as you may end up with older stock that doesn't have the slot - that's what happened to me and I had to go through the hassle of sending them back for replacement).

Personally, I don't think the rear sensor is that big of a deal (you can just zip tie it back out of the way and be done with it). How often do your rear pads wear down anyway??? In my opinion, the EBC Green Stuff pads stink. I'm very disappointed with them. The main reason I bought them was to cut down on brake dust. However, they're no better than the stock pads really (and they seam to squeal really bad too). I really like the Mintex Redbox pads as they're MUCH better on reducing the brake dust and they're half the price (or less) of the EBC pads. If I had to do it again, I'd use the Mintex Redbox pads on the front and the rear and just bypass the wear sensor on the rear. Just my $0.02.

I hope this helps some...

 

The Hawk HPS that we sell has the Correct Brake Wear sensor notch on it.

 

For the rears as well?

If so, that's good news!

 

Rear and Front Pictures

 

For me, they wear out every other first weekend of May!

 

Not all US spec.... my early build (Feb 03) MCS does NOT have wear sensors at all.

 

Hmm... They must have changed things mid production then as our April built 03 had the front sensors (not the rear ones though). Sorry about that...

 

is the green pads the only pads that really cut down on dust

 

In my opinion, the EBC Green Stuff pads absolutely SUCK at cutting down the brake dust. They're no better than the stock pads on our two MINIs. However, the Mintex Redbox pads show a night and day difference in the amount of brake dust produced over the stock pads (and they're less than HALF the price of the EBC pads as well). With the Mintex pads, my wheels stay cleaner for MUCH longer than with the stock pads. I can't speak for any of the other pads on the market as I haven't tried them.

Just my $0.02...

 

IMO, they're worthless all-around. The entire line is.

I guess I'm just biased since I buy pads to improve braking, no the appearance of my car.

 

these do a a nice job!

Alex

 

Do these pads have the wear sensor notches in both F&R pads? I have an 05 MCSc. Thanks.

 

05 Cooper backing plates from Hawk will be available in June. You can search and find similar discussions.

Alex