I have an '05 convertible S with 19k, and I'm in need of brake pad replacements, so I got this silly notion in my head to look into an overall upgrade. Nothing crazy expensive, just a nice improvement over stock stops.

A guy wanted to sell me the calipers, rotors, pads and brake lines from a 2nd gen S, with no miles on it for 800 bucks. He said that the improvements over the 1st gen were substantial, and would definitely be worth it. True? Good deal or no deal?

Also, what else, for less money, would be a good way to upgrade? Will any old set of ceramic pads, slotted or cryogenic rotors, and stainless lines work?
Thanks for any help.

The R56 brakes are essentially the JCW brake upgrade for our cars, and the JCW upgrade (new front rotors/calipers/pads and rear pads) plus stainless brake lines all around were ~$750- JCW brakes from Jayson at Classic Mini with the NAM discount and SS brake lines from Way at Way Motor Works.

Like you, I was looking to upgrade and and this was the route I chose after initially looking at brake lines and pad upgrades for what I had OE. I am happy with this setup for my 90% highway miles 10% mountain miles car

Is the JCW upgrade a larger diameter rotor? I was told that the '07 Minis ALL had the upgraded brakes, which is what he wanted to sell me. He didn't say anything about them being JCW brakes--I thought they were a step beyond these brakes.

Base R56 Brakes = JCW R50/53 Brakes

Pads may have a slightly different composition, that would be the only difference. R56 JCW brakes are a step above R56 base......and R53 JCW.

Great...thanks, but what/where is "classic mini"? (and Jayson.) I thought I had bookmarked, (or knew of) all the mini websites, but I did a search and still can't find that one.

Jayson is the NAM contact at Classic for discounted parts, phone 440-585-9950 or email bmwparts@driveclassic.com - ask for the North American Motorsport forum discount (~20%).

Thanks much. I'll check into that. The question is whether its better to upgrade to an OEM setup, or to install one of the extremely numerous aftermarket rotor/pad/stainless lines/and/or caliper kits available.

True. The JCW upgrade was designed to work well on street applications but not really for the track. If you track the car, look at some of the other big brake kits out there. If you just drive on the street, the JCW is plenty.....

I don't track or autocross it, so I'm sure that the JCW is plenty. But you know we car nuts try to wring out as much performance out of our rides as possible....even if we don't need it.

If you're into it for $500-600 somehow don't over look the entry level P2 kits either.
Sure, it's more than you planned but its also more than you expect from the other ideas.
http://www.tceperformanceproducts.co...s.pl?record=13