R55 30k and we need new brake pads

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Oct 13, 2009 | 02:10 PM

#26

brightwhite

3rd Gear

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 235

Likes: 1

From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Rah-heally? That alone is worth the upgrade. I *hate* how dirty the hatch gets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Casady

The boot of my MCS used to get filthy very fast. Wheels got dirty even faster. The car needed a weekly wash. I assumed the dirt on the rear was just the aerodynamic characteristics of the MINI picking up road dirt. Not so. It is brake dust. After replacing the pads I went about three months without washing the car. The boot was no dirtier than the bonnet.

Oct 14, 2009 | 02:42 PM

#27

Project Mangler

3rd Gear

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 235

Likes: 0

From: Corvallis, Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightwhite

Rah-heally? That alone is worth the upgrade. I *hate* how dirty the hatch gets.

No kidding. I was just going to wait til the OEM's died, but now I'm thinking I'll get on this soon. Are the pads hard to replace? I've done a Ford and a Jaguar, pretty easy on those. The fronts anyway, Mechanics' Hell is filled with XJ6s that need rear brake jobs.

Oct 16, 2009 | 09:52 AM

#28

jedm3

2nd Gear

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 84

Likes: 0

From: Hanover, Pa.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Project Mangler

Pads are easy to replace. However, you need a tool to turn the parking brake adjuster that is the caliper piston when you compress the rear calipers. You cannot just compress with a clamp but must turn them. I used a ratchet with the socket adapter and it worked just fine...once I figured it out.
Cheers,
John

Oct 16, 2009 | 10:10 AM

#29

Rixter

5th Gear

iTrader: (18)

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 828

Likes: 1

From: North of the 49th

What pads do you guys recommend?

Oct 16, 2009 | 07:33 PM

#30

subdude

2nd Gear

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 57

Likes: 0

From: South Central Pennsylvania

I have Akebono Euro pads on the front on Nigel, I tossed the almost brand new o.e.m. pads in the trash. I run them on the wife's Passat also, great pads and virtually zero dusting.

I just wish Akebono would hurry up and release rear pads for the Clubman S. Now my rear wheels get dirty before the fronts.....

Oct 17, 2009 | 08:01 AM

#31

bahollings

3rd Gear

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 231

Likes: 0

Robin Casady thanks for the info on the Carbotech 1521 Bobcat pads. I will try those as soon as mine (I'm to cheap to replace them before their worn out) give up the ghost.
Anybody give me round #'s how long the OEM pads will last? assuming that I drive my car somewhat "normally" (i.e. no racing etc etc)

Jan 12, 2010 | 05:02 PM

#32

Noegel

5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 734

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I drive fairly spiritedly and I replaced my front brakes three times and my rears once before the warranty expired.

The dealer, however, told me that average pad life is between 15-25k. It's just an extremely soft pad... it's kind of ridiculous.

Jan 12, 2010 | 06:47 PM

#33

jbrowland

3rd Gear

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 261

Likes: 0

From: Los Angeles

I don't care what people say or how much I love my MINI (and I love it!), 30K or less in WAY TOO LOW to be needing new brake pads. 60k is generally considered typical and most cars I have owned have gone above that. I'll keep my fingers crossed with my new MINI.