I was quoted $679.20 for the front brakes last week by my Mini dealer. I passed and will replace with ECB Green pads and new rotors. Any problem with that and leaving the rear as stock since they measure @ 8/32nd?

Thanks

 

What are "ECB Green" pads and how do they differ from OEM and OEM "equivalent" pads which are what my independent Mini shop proposes to put on?

 

Look up EBC Green, Red or Yellow in google and you will find links to EBC and they will give you all the explanation you need.

Short story is that they are a higher performance pad and produce better braking power and produce a lot less dust than the OEM.

 

My front ones were covered under warranty, but the last visit, the dealer said I’ll need to get the rear ones done too,
and it’ll be around $600 (just the pads, rotors are good, no sensors went off either)… I priced out the parts, $35-45 depending on the brand :P

 

Good lord!!!! Anything more than $100 in labor on these brakes is insane. I have worked on several personal vehicles over the years and the brakes on these are about as simple as it gets. The only ones I have seen that are easier are on my Cayenne. I changed my front pads at 100 miles to get Hawk HPS's on there to keep dust to a manageable level and it took longer to jack up the car and remove the wheels than it did to change the brakes.

 

That sounds absolutely insane, especially just for the pads. The Mini dealer here in Merriam, Kansas (Baron) quoted $299 for front pads only with $630 the price for new rotors as well. Surprisingly, the brake light that had come on has now gone off and stayed off the last 2 days. Can't understand why it went on, stayed on during one drive and then went off and stayed off. Am still thinking will need new brakes soon anyway.

 

If you get a chance check out the Market link at the top of the web site and you may find some people (like myself) selling their new brake kits because they didn't need it. But hey...I'm just talking

 

I don't get why it costs so much more to do rotors...

On my last car (VW GTI VR6), it was literally 1 philips head screw to remove the rotor when the wheels were off already. That and Brembo OEM replacement rotors were $30 a piece and Hawk HPS pads cost less than OEM.

With that set up I had 95% less dust, better stopping power and better brake feel over stock. I can't wait to do this on the Mini.

Unless the dealer removes all dents, details the exterior and interior, and upgrades your stereo system along with the brakes for $650, I don't get how they could charge this much. I have been known to be wrong though...

 

Becuase you are buying them at dealer mark up prices.
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200...ake_rotor.html
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200...e_pad_set.html

Just make sure you cross reference part numbers before you order.

 

Dreyer and Reinbold in Indianapolis just had my 09 "S" in for the recall. In their full vehicle inspection they said I need front brakes. Pads and Rotors installed -front only - $840 plus tax. I laughed out loud. I'm going to spend about 250 on quality pads and rotors, buy myself a Bentley manual and this should be no probelm.

 

the dealer also quoted me $650 for front brakes. Makes sense since that's probably what they charge BMW owners for similar service.

 

$400 in parts including the paint for the calipers and 4 cans of brake cleaner.
It really does save you tons to DIY. Lots of people don't have the tools or space, so not everyone can....but I bet you could find someone local to loan you tools and space and possibly help. I know I would give a hand.

 

My dealer quoted my $600 for front brake pads and rotors. Turned me into a do-it-yourselfer. There's nothing "magical" about Mini brakes. I spent $200 online and got much better parts than OE (Brembo/EBC redstuff). I'll lose about two hours this weekend but then I can finish up with a cold beer and think of ways to spend the $400 I saved.