i have a 2002 mini cooper with 18,000 miles

the passenger side front brake makes a grinding noise

you can hear it really well at low speed, and after driving it for a while i can faintly smell the brakes when i park it in the garage

how long are brakes supposed to last? i am a good driver and usually downshift instead of braking

we just recently moved from florida to michigan...could the weather have anything to do with the brake mechanism getting stuck?

 

Look through the wheel and see if you have grooves forming on the rotor. Or get it in to be looked at. Might be as simple as you picked up a rock in your caliper or maybe lost the pad material off of the backing plate. If you have the means check it yourself if not get it looked at ASAP.

 

yes, i will look at it...i am driving to chicago this afternoon -- i don't think this is a safety hazard (the brakes, not chi-town)