Hi guys, I am planning to perform my first brake job on my 2008 mini cooper s, and honestly I would like these brakes to last a long time before I have to do it again. This car is a commuter. I am going to follow the write up on https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm

Are there any recommended brake pads and rotors that I should use? I dont need anything fancy, just safe and affordable. I would love it if they lasted a long time. Any suggestions?

 

Centric rotors and Akebono Ceramics is what I went with.

 

Also used the Centric rotors (125 type) with Akebono ceramic pads. Very happy with this combination on my car for longevity, great braking, and no more dust.

 

thanks for the replies!

Just so I have the right stuff, we are looking at

• Centric 121.34094 Rear Brake Rotor
• Centric 121.34099 Front Brake Rotor
• Akebono EUR939 EURO Ultra-Premium Ceramic Front Brake Pad Set
• Akebono EUR1309 EURO Ultra-Premium Ceramic Rear Brake Pad Set

does that look right?

anyone know the part numbers for the sensors an mounting bolts?

thanks!

 

What is a long time to you? Really pad life is dependent on driving habits and driving conditions. If you do a lot of intown then its going to eat through your pads a lot quicker than a highway application. I second the akebono euro ceramics. I got really great life out of these pads roughly 90K before changing.

 

The Torx set screw for the rotors is part #07136772426. The rear brake pad sensor is #34356789330. The front brake pad sensor is #34356789329.

You do have the right part numbers for the pads & rotors if those are the brands you want to use.

 

Thank you all for the help, I really appreciate it. I think Im almost there. Here is my shopping list:

• Akebono EUR939 Front Pads
• Akebono EUR1309 Rear Pads
• Centric 121.34099 Front Brake Rotor
• Centric 121.34094 Rear Brake Rotor
• Bowa Front Sensor 34-35-6-789-329
• Bowa Rear Sensor 34-35-6-789-330
• Brake Disc Set Screws 07 13 6 772 426

I did get a little confused on the front brake pads seeing EUR1308 - but I think that version is for the non S mini and that I really need EUR939 for the S.

The Centric rotors seem to have two versions, the 121.34099 / 121.34094 as listed above, and the 125.34101 / 125.34094 "high carbon" versions. Since the 121 versions are about half the price I thought I would go with those on my commuter car. Does anyone know the difference on these? As long as its safe I am happy to save money.

And lastly, I read that the 7mm caliper bolts should be replaced when removed because they are one time use. But I can not seem to find the part numbers anywhere for them. With the help on this thread I found the rotor torx bolts, but cant find the caliper bolts. Some brake pad sets seem to include these bolts but I am not sure if Akebono includes them. Does anyone know the part numbers for these?

thanks a ton!

 

realoem.com for part numbers on bolts,etc.

My Akebono brakes had no extra parts.

 

We've used and had good results with both EBC Reds
https://www.waymotorworks.com/ebc-re...-cooper-s.html

and also with the Akebonos
https://www.waymotorworks.com/akebon...5-r56-r57.html

But not had good luck with Centric or Stoptech rotors as had them warp many times. So we use our WMW rotors
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-br...-cooper-s.html

or zimmerman
https://www.waymotorworks.com/zimmer...7-r58-r59.html

We just reuse the bolts rather than replace them. But we do offer them
https://www.waymotorworks.com/brake-...7-r58-r59.html

 

If anyone reads this thread in the future, the Akebono EUR939 Front Pads DID NOT FIT my 2008 r56 cooper s. They have hooks when the old ones do not.


the pads on the left are the Akebono EUR939, and the one on the right is the original. I am not sure if this car has two options when it comes to brake caliper brackets, but I thought I would post this in case it helps someone.

 

Quick google search told me EUR939 is for 1st gen minis, R50-R53. Might have been confusing because the 1st gen convertibles were produced through 2008.

EUR1204's are the correct replacements for front pads (in case you have not found them already)

 

the pads on the left in your pic are for R53

These are the correct ones for an R56 Cooper S
https://www.waymotorworks.com/akebon...5-r56-r57.html

 

Yep, you Have new R53 pads. The R56 pads have the little notch hangers.