Its time for new pads all around and front rotors, so I might as well do it right and go for a big brake upgrade and fill out my 19's a bit more. Any reccommendations? I have 19" Falken Circuit Specs (7.5 wide, offset is 42 I believe). This is just for street driving so I am looking for a good deal with good looks (low price is more important than high-performance).

You can see how sad the 19's look with the stock set-up here:

 

Check out the Wildwoods at this place. Very well priced but they get you on the add-ons. Good people there. I've order a few things from them and they have good service.

http://www.minituner.com/products/?&productID=433

Love your kit by the way. I just got the Orciari Evoluzione (wide body) put on my Cabrio but I'm waiting for the Jlines 18x8 to arrive. Can't wait. I really like your set-up.

 

I'd take a look at TCE's 13" kit.

 

The AP Racing kit is worth looking at,
their caliper bolts directly to the hub, unlike some other kits including Brembo that use an additional bracket.
The price is also attractive.
And AP Racing is owned by Brembo.....

Victor

 

I could perhaps bump you up to 14s even.
Won't be quite the lower prices you've come to expect however...

 

Man those wheels are SICK! Do you have any rubbing problems? Where did you get them?

*Sorry for veering off topic. *

 

They actually came on the car. No they don't rub and they aren't too hard to find, but these were powdercoated.

 

Your best brake upgrade would be a set of lightweight 15" wheels...

 

Old Rick, Old Rick... perhaps you should read the first post again and you would understand the goal here was not to impose one's own opinions of performance gains through teeny tiny wheels but to help young MINITOR fill out his humungous 19's for cosmetic purposes since brake pad and rotor replacement is already needed. Silly Old Rick.

 

Yep - silly me - I keep thinking that people might want their MINI's to stop and go better, rather than making them look like Hot Wheels toys...

 

:impatient

I have one question...


Why?





As for the ORIGINAL question, I have heard pretty good things about the Wilwood kits from TCE. I even emailed him a while ago about the largest rotor that could fit on a MINI. He gave me pricings for a 14" rotor, and even a 16" rotor .

But, yea, FWIW, when I have the money, I am definitely going to be ordering the 13" kit from TCE (or the 14" kit if I feel the extra $$$ is worth it ).

 

Good point - I guess there is a lot of evidence that points the other way...

 

Come on guys, let him do what he wants with his car. That's what makes a MINI special; it's all about what make you happy with it. If they were all the same nobody would want one.

 

agreed

i'd say the TCE kit is probably as good as it gets in terms of budget wise.... throw in the TCE rear kit and you got 4 discs that are all larger... (assuming you are not like me and is forced to run 17' on low profile tires in the winter!)

however, the AP one is defenitely worth a look, a friend of a friend's 350Z has a set of Ap brakes on his car and man o man...... it stops plain and square, and he said its no problems at all fitting them, quality is excellent... though i dont know if you like that matte metal finish they give you

 

Yes, silly you. And to others 15 inch wheels lool like they belong on toys. Or classic MINI's (or are those 12s? ), and of course, Smart Cars. Yes, 19's are a bit large, and that is the point, but not the point of this thread. To each their own.

It would just be nice to be able to ask for specific help from knowledgeable enthusiasts and not have the "class clown" chime in with a non-useful answer imposing their own tastes while ignoring the actual question asked.

But back on task to the subject at hand and the very helpful suggestions - I did check out the AP Racing brakes, a bit spendy for my tastes. The TCE/Willwood kits do look good for the budget. I will look further into that, thanks. I think I will stop by a shop here that has been reccommended to me (soulspeed.com) and see what the say too. Any other suggestions are still appreciated.

 

how is the ride with the 19'?? i have 18" now and they ride hard, specially when i hit pothholes.
was thinking about 19" but maybe i'll wait...

 

Ride is hard, but worth it to me. If you are used to run-flats though it isnt much worse. I love them and wouldn't want anything smaller. I actually just found out that I have a small crack in my driver side upper strut mount, but many others with smaller wheels do as well so who knows. If you go 19' you'll definately want a strut tower bar or some sort of reinforcement to protect from mushrooming though, and keep your eye on the upper strut mounts.

 

cool, i may just stick it out with my 18" for the meantime. car looks sick though !!!