Hey Guys,
I'm in need of brakes for my '05 MCS (47K on it) - all 4 corners - pads and rotors. I figure why not upgrade to something a little better than stock? I've never taken my Mini to the track and I only use it for the daily commute. However, I may try out a couple track days in the future so I want a setup that will handle the odd track event?

I've searched / read a lot of posts and I’m wondering what people currently are running / recommending?

I’ve already priced out TSW rotors with Carbotech Bobcat Pads and that’s one option I’m currently considering.

I’ve come across this decently priced EBC Green Stuff Pads with EBC Ultimax BlackDash Sport USR Slotted Brake Rotors kit http://www.minicarparts.net/Parts/M3059.cfm – another option I’m entertaining. Thoughts on these??

I see a lot recommend Hawk HPS pads but the only thing that is discouraging me from these is that the rear pads don’t have previsions for the wear sensors. I want to utilize the OEM features of my Mini thus any pads I choose MUST have previsions for the sensors.

I think I’ll stay away from Brembro replacement rotors as everyone states they rust in no time.

Anyone else recommend anything?? Links, prices, who to buy from, etc … would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

basically you wore out the stock set-up, and they met your needs. So why upgrade at all? If you're serious about tracking, then some more heat resistance in really needed, and then the trade-offs start....

You get more heat capacity by adding mass (mostly rotor mass). But this increases unsprung weight, or at least moment of inertial (rotational mass) and both of these have downsides.

Really, talk to some folks about pads, and get some better (higher boiling point) fluid. If you're going to run stock sized rotors, I wouldn't break the band here. Dispite all the marketing stuff you hear, it's the thermal mass of the rotor that gives you fade resistance, and most stock sized replacements are going to be about the same.

I ran the EBC green stuffs for a bit, and they were fine when I was on the street, or just starting on the track. But as you get more aggressive on the track, you will exceed their capacity (overheat them). But I did like the fact that they didn't dust like the stockers do!

Good luck,

Matt

save your money and go stock......anything else is just for looks.

Mintex xtreme are a great all around pad. Low noise and dust, and they really improve braking whether they are hot or cold. We had those until we upgraded to R56 front calipers. I wish they made them for the R56 fronts so I could get them again.

I guess I was looking at aftermarket due to the total costs. When I called my dealer and had them quote out stock front pads and rotors, the costs were more than it would cost to go aftermarket at all 4 corners. To me it really didn't make sense to pay crazy dealer prices when there's a world of aftermarket parts (possibly better than stock) out there?

On a site note - where the best place (online?) to order OEM parts??
Also, how much fluid is required to do a complete fluid change?? Any fluid recommendations??

Morristown MINI and Classic MINI both offer great pricing - but you'll usually have to call them to order, limited stuff is available online.

You can change the fluid with 1 liter - but I usually buy 2, just in case.

I'm a big fan of the CarboTech Bobcat (1521) pads for street and light performance driving. Quiet, no dust to speak of, keeps your wheels looking clean all the time. Perform very well, great modulation (the harder you push, the more they bite) but do not have the initial "throw you into the dash" bite of the OEM pads, so they take a little getting used to. I'm running the Ate PremiumOne rotors - only because they are a cost effective rotor with cool-looking slotting. Like has been said, if you're sticking with OEM-sized rotors, probably no noticeable difference in performance with any of them. The TSW rotors are nice as well.

AutoXCooper is a vendor here who can offer good advice on pads and rotors. That's where I get much of my stuff.

can you belive this ....
we cannot get Ate slotted rears in europe
would be just right with my Ate BBK as well

JCW brake kit. There's some pretty good deals on them out there and will be way better than anything you will do to the stock brakes. Add some stainless steel lines and Motul fluid and your good to go. When those pads wear out you can get more JCW pads or any of the many aftermarket choices available and have a much better starting point. Just my 2 cents.

Please do not use Carbotech 1521 (bobcat) pads at Track events. They are a great street pad and work very well for AutoX and places like the Dragon. They are not a TRACK Pad. Pads and Rotors are like Tires at Track events, the most important hardware on your MINI and not having the right setup will end your day early and may cost you much more then having the right setup.
I've had a few customers that thought the odd track event would be "OK" and only to find they can't keep it slow and burn up 1521's. If you want to run track events and don't want to change pads, then think about running the XP8 pads full time. A few here do that and like the setup. But there will be dust and noise under light braking.

I can ship you the TSW Rear slotted if you like PM me your full address for a shipping price.

I'm getting ready to do the same to my car. I am doing it mainly for looks tho cause I got new wheels and dont want rusty rotors behind them. After much thought and web surfing I decided to go with drilled and slotted rotors from Outmotoring.com, Hawk ceramic pads, and Goodridge SS bakelines. Plan on painting the calipers too. I dont track my car so I dont see a need for big brake kit

If your not going to track your car the Bobcats are fantastic, very good braking and veeeerrrry little dust!

The comments on staying with stock because that worked well for you are valid but I would not go stock because stock OEM is expensive. Just get rotors at your local napa and then choose your pad. EBC cheaper than carbotech and worked well for me. I have since upgraded to carbotech and will buy them again when the time comes.

TSW sells a nice kit (rotors and pads on all corners) for a very good price. You could also get Brembo replacement rotors for $50 or so a piece that are comparable to the stockers.

I bought Centric (parent co of Stoptech) rotors and used Axxis pads sourced from here:
http://zeckhausen.com/Mini/MINI_Cooper.htm
Loving the rotors. They look great and work very well.

Carbotech are also good pads as are Hawk. Everyone will just wind up posting whatever they are using now so you might want to read one of the many other threads on this topic for some perspectives.

You should check out Todd at TCE he has some great Wilwood kits. I got the 13" in front and 11.75 in the rear and love them. The rotors a zink coated so they do not rust and look great.

Interested in knowing how you got the rear set. Are they also Wilwood? I have been looking at a set of Wilwood for the front, but releucant to dive in unless I could get a matching set for the rear.

Wilwood rears:


From Todd at TCE
http://www.tceperformanceproducts.co...s.pl?record=13

I have the wilwoods up front they are (were) zink coated and they do rust. I dont think a coating will help once the brakes are used. the build up rust faster than the OEM parts did (which did rust as well) but its just a bit of surface rust and goes away once they turn. I would go with the Wilwoods again and I am now thinking of getting the rears to match.

Thanks for the tips.

Thank you. I will contact him. Your wheel & caliper look very nice.
Bahman

it's time for me to buy new rotors and brakes all four corners for my 05 MCS... i have been reading for a while what is the best out there. One of the most heard is Carbotech pads with TSW rotors. So, i actually made my final decision until i found out the the TSW rotors i orginally wanted are on back order 60 days, NO BUENO! I took that as a sign thinking there should be something else out there just as good of course a lil' better. I found "dba" zinc-platted cross drilled and slotted rotors and EBC Green Stuff brake pads that i'm very interested in getting. I need an opinion from all us mini lovers... Is this the way to go??? - thanks

You'll do better with Carbotech pads and stock rotors. Or the Ate Premium One rotors if you want slotted. Drilled rotors look cool but have less mass to absorb heat and are prone to cracking in track use.

Hey Matt.....those EBC greens were junk. They held up for about 6K miles then turned to poop. I would run Axxis Ultimates or Hawks...IMO...

thanks for your insight Paul and Blimey... now if you don't mind let me pick your brain a little. My 05 MCS is a daily driving car but I am building my performance... as you know stock MCS are 165 horsepower. Well, my first goal is to get to 210, and i will create more in the future. So, I want to go ahead and get the pads and rotors now that will fit my mini's needs. Do you or the other minis out there recommend Carbotech still? -ps I'm not considering my mini to be a track car... i'm more into the performance of the speed.

I would get Powerslot cryo's with some Hawk pads. or Axxis Metal masters. That will be my next set up. Im currently running TSW Rotors on Porterfield pads.