I just got a 2012 Hardtop S (currently with 1500 miles) and I'm not sure if this is a real issue or not. Whenever I try to do a gentle stop (where you progressively let off the brake when stopping to avoid the "jerk"), I'll hear this short groan at the front of the car near full stop. This does not happen if I brake enough that I get the "jerk" at full stop. It's like there's a point where if I'm light enough on the brake, the car does not like that. The brakes work great otherwise.

Not a huge issue but I've done that kind of stop in every car I've driven with no problem. Anyone else seen this before? Is this normal for a Mini or should I be worried?

 

I've heard it before. I can do it in my wife's Mazda too. I think it's fairly normal.

 

Sounds like a problem I had with a mini van. The brake cylinder was leaking so the drum and shoes were wet. Your description is same as what inexperienced. Maybe you have a dirty rotor?

 

bring it by and I'll check things out

no charge . . .

 

It is quite normal.

Try braking harder initially then modulate to stop.

 

Yes, you have a MINI now and are obligated to stop very quickly everywhere you go now!

 

One thing I tried doing was hosing the wheels/rotors down with water and I still got the noise, so I don't think it's dirty.

It seems like the consensus is that it's normal, so I guess I won't worry about it for now. Thanks everyone!

 

Aren't you under the maintenance plan in a 2012 with 1500 miles?
If so, your brakes are covered if there's a problem.
If you are concerned or it gets worse, take it to the dealership and have them check it out.

 

Yeah I'm still under warranty, I just don't want to waste my time going if it's not a real problem. I will probably bring it up whenever I drop in for maintenance, otherwise it doesn't seem to be worth a trip for this issue alone.

 

Makes sense.

 

my total MINI miles is now about 150,000 (two cars)

my brakes have never made a sound

period ..... nada ..... nothing ...... ziltch

factory pads or EBC greens (which is what I switch to now ... altho trying red this time {they just arrived today})

my conclusion is NO this is not normal for a MINI (heck my Mini doesn't do this either)

so the question is would a dealer look at this under maintenance OR warranty?

You say the brakes work FINE but make a little noise . . . . hmmmmm, they WORK FINE.

Maintenance applies if they are worn out. Warranty applies if there is a defect (which might be an unusually early failure).

They work fine = Does not look like either case applies..... So if you choose to apprach the dealer I'd suggest describing the situation more creatively ....

brake squeal .... brake chatter .... they seem to grab and then pull to one side ....

what do your rotors look like - more important what do they feel like. Run a fingernail along the surface and see if you detect any grooves. If yes you may have an abnormal wear problem. Or you may have glazed the pads. At 1500 miles pads that see very light use are just beginning to get broken in - or bedded in car talk.

Bringing me to my next point. Many threads around here talking about installing new pads get into the bedding process. It IS important. How it happens is a matter of discussion. There is the drive 1500 miles carefully process, and the drive to 70, mash the brakes and repeat 6 times process..... no one ever discusses this in terms of a NEW CAR however. There is a possibility you are having trouble 'bedding' your pads under the drive normal scheme. I'd try the go out a mash 'em method. You need a really big parking lot in the early morning or a road you KNOW is not used much. Accel' to 60 plus and mash the brakes to just b4 ABS kicks in. Do this 4 or 6 times. The goal is to heat 'em good. Ideally, then drive to let 'em cool down for 20 minutes or so then do it again. If you glazed 'em this should burn that off. (sidenote - EBC pads have a special coating to aid the bedding process . . . rather than recommending the speed + mash proceedure)

To the Miata post - had that problem on my 95 once it got over 70,000 miles (circa 2002). Was usually worst first thing in the morning backing out of the garage - that first stop was SQEEEEAAAAAAK. But the [original] pads were at 50% wear .... it appeared to be the lil' bit of rust that would form on the rotors overnight. After that first stop they were quiet - that rubbed the rust off. New rotors of better quality might have helped but I lived with it 'til I sold the car (at 120,000 miles and the original rotors still smooth as a baby's behind)