I am thinking about buying a set of MGP Caliper Covers does anyone have any experience good or bad with Caliper Covers you would like to share? How hard are they to mount? Is there anyother brands I should be considering? Does the cover really help with the brake dust issue?

Thanks for your help.
Walkeriowa

 

Ahhh! This is bringing back memories! Just read this and let this thread never return

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...er-covers.html

 

Just spend the $20 and take the time to clean and paint your calipers

 

Have not seen too many MINIs that have caliper covers. Better off investing in better (low dust) street pads. I'm more function over form, albeit not much form in caliper covers.
Here are my thoughts on caliper covers:

1) its purly cosmetic (huge gold earings with last name, not like a Rolex)
2) adds extra heat to calipers
3) cheaper to paint and aesthetically better looking
4) adds more unsprung weight
5) bit ricey but more douchey for my taste
6) makes brake pad chages more of a PITA
7) too blingy
8) all show, no go, err, no stop

Reminds me of this: Engine Sound Cover:

 

Nice way to boil ones brake fluid. Caliper covers, brilliant!

DON'T do it....

 

I my humble opinion.......a very bad idea. Unless you want to make your brakes run hotter. And it really isn't going to help with brake dust much.

 

I think I am getting the message no covers but tell me the following on painting.

What painting brand or kit do you recommend? I am not overly mechanical is this a project someone like me can master?
What do I do about the brake dust issue my 2003 Mini Base model has 20,090 orginal miles and the brakes work great?

Thanks
walkeriowa

 

Different pads is the only way to reduce the dust.

Most would recommend the G2 caliper paint system. It is an epoxy that won't fade or crack with the heat. Very easy to do well, time consuming if you are a bit **** about getting them to look like a factory red caliper.

 

http://www.c3club.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=491

 

Most auto stores have High-Temp Brake paints for sale. I suggest painting on a saturday to coincide a pad change, just to make it easier to do the task.

As for pads something like Akebono Euro Ceramics or Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads would be less dusty. Also, buying or painting your wheels a flat black may help. Note it is a trade-off between less dust vs. stopping power, a compromise that I myself don't like, but the majority of drivers including MINI drivers agree to.