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My 2010 R56 Justa is going to need front brake pads soon (44.4k). Nearest dealer is 180 miles from me, so I am planning on finding a local shop to do the work (any recommendations for Springfield, MO?).
I don't really use the brakes much - I avoid touching the brake pedal if at all possible, never tracked, etc. The few times emergency braking was necessary, I've been really happy with the performance of the OEM brakes on this car - great control and feedback. Almost magical really, the way it stops.
So, my question is:
Should I go with another set of OEM brake pads - or is there something else I should consider?
I'm half afraid my local shop may suggest some other brand of brake pads that might not be quite as good as what I'm used to. Then again, maybe there is something even better?
Save yourself the money and diy it, it's sooo easy. I like brembo ceramics quite a bit, or the more pricey akebonos. Same performance wither way.
I'm thinking about diy - I do basic maint on a lot of stuff: home wiring, plumbing, tractor, riding mower, bicycles, chain saw, etc - but I've never done brake pads on a car.
I'm pretty sure I could get the brake pads on, but I'm afraid I might miss something else that a more experienced mechanic would catch.
Is it necessary to bleed the lines - or anything else which would need a second person - or can it be done solo?
For a Justa which is never tracked - would Brembo's be overkill? What makes them different from the OEM?
You will need to devise a clamp type thingie to compress the rear caliper piston. There's some direction on how to do that somewhere in the forum. Here's a link to a suggestion on using needle nose pliers.
Main reason for posting: I see you are from Springfield. Are you aware of MINIs in the Ozarks? Their website is ozarkmini.com and registration is now open. The website lists all the day trips scheduled and they are all worth doing....please forgive the hijack.
You will need to devise a clamp type thingie to compress the rear caliper piston. There's some direction on how to do that somewhere in the forum. Here's a link to a suggestion on using needle nose pliers.
Main reason for posting: I see you are from Springfield. Are you aware of MINIs in the Ozarks? Their website is ozarkmini.com and registration is now open. The website lists all the day trips scheduled and they are all worth doing....please forgive the hijack.
Fly'n Brick, when you say "rear caliper piston" - I assume that is part of the FRONT brakes, right?
And thanks for the tip about ozarkmini.com - I'll check them out.
You will need to devise a clamp type thingie to compress the rear caliper piston. There's some direction on how to do that somewhere in the forum. Here's a link to a suggestion on using needle nose pliers. Main reason for posting: I see you are from Springfield. Are you aware of MINIs in the Ozarks? Their website is ozarkmini.com and registration is now open. The website lists all the day trips scheduled and they are all worth doing....please forgive the hijack.
he's doing the FRONTS so no tool special tool needed, no the brembos are just a street ceramics. Certainly not overkill but better than oem imo.
Last edited by bavmotors; Jul 12, 2015 at 06:41 PM.
Most aftermarket pads aren't better than the stock. But we have found the EBC Redstuff pads and Akebono's to be best as they work well with good feel and lower dust. We keep both in stock
Redstuff http://www.waymotorworks.com/ebc-red...per-non-s.html
Front brake pads should be easy enough for the capable DIY'er. We have a great DIY tech article here that may be of some assistance. Unless you're tracking the car I'd suggest Genuine MINI pads or OEM. You can find an assortment of pads here including Genuine and OEM. I always change out my rotors every time I do my pads, personal preference, so if you're needing to do them you can buy some here as well. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
If you are happy with stock I'd stick with them. I switched to Akebonos and like them but they are different feeling. Change or at the least resurface rotors.
+1 on the EBC Reds for street use. I put them on all my cars. Nice feel, progressive and dust a lot less than the factory pads. Front rotors are recommended to be replaced when less than 20.8mm thick.
if possible do a first DIY with someone who's done it before ... after you've seen it done once you'll have no worries.
OTOH, if you worry about your DIY skills and can't find a kind soul to show you how .... there is NOTHING special about the disks on a MINI. VERY common components and any place that does brakes should be able to knock it out in no time. A good shop won't mind if you bring in the pads you want to use.
bring it by ... I've shown a bunch of folks how to do it.
I can vouch for Akebono's being pretty decent, WAY less brake dust.
If you're doing all 4 corners, goto your local parts store and rent a brake kit, it should have the right tool to turn and compress the caliper pistons on the rear wheels. You can't just use a C-clamp on the rears.
Also, everything I've read says to do new rotors too. They tend to be softer on newer cars and aren't always able to be turned for more use.
Most aftermarket pads aren't better than the stock. But we have found the EBC Redstuff pads and Akebono's to be best as they work well with good feel and lower dust. We keep both in stock
Redstuff http://www.waymotorworks.com/ebc-red...per-non-s.html
I can vouch for Akebono's being pretty decent, WAY less brake dust.
If you're doing all 4 corners, goto your local parts store and rent a brake kit, it should have the right tool to turn and compress the caliper pistons on the rear wheels. You can't just use a C-clamp on the rears.
Also, everything I've read says to do new rotors too. They tend to be softer on newer cars and aren't always able to be turned for more use.
++1 for Akebonos. I did my rears first and the difference in brake dust on the wheels was phenomenal. About 4 months later I did the fronts. Same thing! I seldom wash the wheels anymore and they look great. I haven't noticed any real difference in the braking performance. I replaced the rotors at the same time as the pads. Be careful to break the pads in as outlined in a few of the videos. Multiple strong, steady slow-downs from 60mph or so, to heat everything up and remove the glazed finish on the new rotors. Love the brakes now. Hated the messy dust on wheels from the stock pads.
the wear sensor never needs replacing if you tie it up out of the way the first time you do the job. Now why would you baby the brakes? Cheap and easy to replace, stomp on them as intended
+1 for EBC reds, I use my car almost only on the street (I've done one track day and while I might do more, this is my car for getting to work and the grocery store) but they feel as good or better than the OEM, make less dust, and I think they last a little longer.
Akebono pads for me on front then on the rear when it was time for me to replace them. The braking grab I estimate to be 90% compared to OEM but the absence of brake dust is like night and day.
It is the best thing I have done to my MINI. No more looking at my wheels and seeing tons of brake dust shortly after cleaning them.
Akebono Euro, EBC , or Hawk are a couple of the better choices other then OEM ( which dust allot) . Go for the akebono Euro, the EBC Green or the Hawk HPS or ceramics. Unless you track or want something more aggressive , then the EBC Reds or Hawk HP+.
Here is the 2010 R56 MINI Cooper ( NON S ) . You will select " not for JCW sport brakes " , if you have the stock calipers and not the bigger red Brembo calipers.
The Bentley manual has been ordered - "MINI Cooper (R55, R56, R57) Service Manual: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 (Hardcover)" - and I've looked at some YouTube videos - I can do this!
Many have complained about the dust from the OEM pads - I can't say I like it, but it doesn't bother me too much. I will gladly suffer the dust if getting rid of it means I will loose even a small amount of stopping power or feedback. Obviously, if I can get MINI performance without the dust, I won't miss it.
PelicanParts.com said: "I'd suggest Genuine MINI pads or OEM. You can find an assortment of pads here including Genuine and OEM."
… I have been using the terms "Genuine MINI" and "OEM" as interchangeable - is there some difference in the meaning between those two I've been missing?
gjxj said: "Now why would you baby the brakes? Cheap and easy to replace, stomp on them as intended"
… true enough - but once I finally get my Justa up to speed, I like to keep it there. And some might argue that brakes turn premium gasoline into dead polar bears.
The last unresolved question in my mind is whether or not to replace the rotors. I'll want to pull my wheels and take a close look - and some careful measurements - before I decide.
The oem pads aren't worth the dust, I don't find them to be that great anyhow. I've driven the brand new f56 which felt incredibly soft compared to my budget street setup.
The oem pads aren't worth the dust, I don't find them to be that great anyhow. I've driven the brand new f56 which felt incredibly soft compared to my budget street setup.
Can't comment on the new F56 - mine is a 2010 R56.
So what brakes are on your "budget street setup" that you prefer over the F56?
