I bought a 2003 Mini Cooper S 6-speed with 55K miles on it yesterday and I'm really excited with what I got! Its pretty basic with the leather, dual moonroof and H/K stereo but I don't think I really needed the navigation option.

The previous owner took great care of it, had the clutch replaced just before it was out of MINI's warranty @ 44K miles and even purchased an extended warranty through his credit union so I'm covered until 2011 or 100,000 miles on everything but wear and tear. He gave me all of the service records-- it shows here that he took it in 3 times to have the BMW dealership tear down the dashboard to find a 'mysterious rattling'-- he admitted that he was a bit fanatic about making sure it was in top shape.

The car is solid but it is due for new front brakes. Its my understanding that you can't just replace the brake pads on a Mini and that you have to get new rotors and brake pads for (the front). I think the back rotors are fine but I suppose while I'm at it, I might as well replace all brake rotors and brake pads.

I'd like to order some quality and affordable rotors and pads online and have a mechanic install them for $75 labor. Can anyone recommend a set of brakes? Also, is there anything else needed in replacing the rotors/pads? Are there any sensors. Looking forward to being a part of this forum. I'll post pictures after I get it washed and take it down to the Santa Monica pier!

Best,

n00b Andy

P.S. I had a 2003 VW GTI VR6 that I bought new in 2004 that made lemon law after 6 months of ownership so I'm really looking forward to having a tight, nice pocket rocket that can stay on the road for a long time... the acura integra and toyota corolla I had in the meantime didn't feel like 'me.'

 

Welcome & Congratulations!!!

 

First, Welcome to NAM Congrats on your purchase

You will get lots of info here, look around the site, read, read, read.

Mark

 

Thanks guys! Yeah, I've read a few threads-- I'm glad to see this community is surging. I posted a similar request about the brakes to another forum (minicooperforums.com) 36 hours ago and nobody responded-- looks like this is where it's at! I'm interested to hear about which brakes are good choices...

 

Welcome! One of the easiest and best ways to improve brakes is with a really good set of pads. Carbotech Brake Pads are some of the best on the market. See Link below.

 

Welcome to NAM! SoCal is a great place to own a MINI.

 

Welcome to the Mini community. if your looking for a shop to get your brakes
done ,look no further than Steve's Auto Clinic or Minicorsa both shops that
are very good at what they do

 

The only time you would need to replace the wear sensors is if the light is on. If not you should be fine with the new pads. BMW only replaces rotors when needed if out of spec or warped, other than that they will just replace the pads and will not turn them when they do. Not my cup of tea, I would do the rotors and pads like you said.

 

Sounds like you got a great deal

Congrats...

 

As far as rotors, get a set of powerslot cryo tempered slotted rotors.

 

Congrats on your new obsession/addiction!!

 

Still learning how to use the G9 but here are some shots of our new ride in Santa Monica!! Can anyone recommend a good shop in the SM/West LA area? The BMW dealership did tell me I need new front rotors...

 

It looks sweet, Andy.

Love the color.

Dean.

 

Haha! Its cool because the guy didn't think to get stripes on it. I personally like stripes but I feel like if it made it this far without them, I might as well keep it 1 solid bar.

 

I'm partial to stripes myself.

 

The stripes really do pull it together. So if I did want some of that racing goodness, I suppose the MINI dealer can put them on... Are they paint or are they 'stickers'? Anyone know what they charge off-hand? Look how quickly I've flipped-flopped after seeing yours-- glad I'm not running for Prez.

 

The stripes are just stickers. I think they usually run about $250 installed. Dean.

 

Congrats! Nice looking MINI!

Now you have to go to AMVIV in March

Nik

 

Nice looking another DS finds a new owner

 

Send me a PM I'll give you a few MINI shops around the area! Sweet MINI by the way, hope you have a lot of fun with it in the future!

 

As for rotors I use Power Slot cryo treated and Hawk HP+ pads. I drive agressively on the twisties and also Autox and barring some slight brake squeel at less than 5mph they are wearing very well. Rotors after 15,000 miles have no ridge and pad thickness is about 80%. There is a slight pulsation in the pedal under heavy braking (from the slots) this is normal. The brakes need to be warmed up to achieve maximum stoping power. With sticky tires the brakes will make your head rush!

BTW nice Mini I still remember the day I got My girl.

As for the stripes here is my $.02:

Striping completes the Mini! Order what your heart desires from Aesthetic Creations (located in the vendor directory) and make an appointment to have them installed at AMVIV! Mike does excelent work and he should be there.

 

Thanks for the brake advice! I went to Danny @ Minicorsa last weekend and he gave me some minitek reds and alta rotors until I decide what I'm doing. Adding the new pulley, intake and 1 ball exhaust gives this car "A+" status. Now I need to check out one or two suspension upgrades and stripes and I'm set!!

 

Thats awesome! my last car was an 01 gti 1.8t heh vws are so fun : ) minis are even funner!!!!!!!!!! welcome

 

The best suspension mod for the money is a rear sway bar. I have the Alta 22mm 3 position adj sway bar. The second is H-sport lowering springs. IMO the best mods you can do under $500. Welcome to the addiction.