My maintenance indicator is showing the ! in a circle over the front end of the car. Based on research I think this means that I need the front brakes done.

I don't like the feel, modulation, and dust of the OEM brakes (too grabby) and the Carbotech 1521 Bobcats have been recommended to me. I'm open to other alternatives and would appreciate recommendations.

Should I replace the rotors with new OEM rotors if I take this approach?

 

first thing to do is either look yourself or have someone who knows do a visual check of the pads. That number is a guess. If the sensors haven't tripped then there's a good chance there's more life in the pads. (but changing 'em b4 the sensor does trip saves the cost of replacing the consumable sensor)

My computers says 3000 miles to go, measuring I have 50% of the pad material left (I changed to EBC when the car was new)

but otoh there's no foul to changing ealy. MINI says always replace the rotors when you replace the pads - presumably this is because the rotors also are soft (as are original pads) and wear quickly, and they do not recommend resurfacing the rotors, which is typically recommended when you put new pads on but reuse the rotors.

These are the recommendations of the manufacturer.

otoh

The minimum thickness for the rotor is stamped on the rotor so resurfacing may be possible.

And some folks have successfully run two sets of pads to a set of rotors without resurfacing then, depending on the condition of the rotors

your car

your call

 

+1 to doing a visual check of the pads themselves. I always take a look when rotating the tires and was able to go a good 9k miles after the red light came on before I did the brake job on mine.

I think most folks probably do the rotors at the same time, but with aftermarkets there are folks who can go through two sets of pads per rotor. My understanding is the OEM rotors are soft and thin to begin with and don't really lend themselves to being resurfaced.

When I did mine, I went with a kit that included Hawk HPS pads and some aftermarket rotors. Been very happy with them.

 

bump

 

So are you over 36k miles? If not I would drive it right to the dealership and have it replaced under the warranty plan for free.

 

Yes, and I've been over 3 years since October.

 

Well my front brake pad warning just came on. I have a 2018 Countryman JCW with ONLY 8100 miles WTF? How can they ware out so fast? I don't ride the brakes and I only apply them hard when some ******* cuts me off. It is true most of my driving is stop-n-go heavy traffic but that is all generally low speed. My 2013 Clubman S took about 24K miles to go through the front pads in exactly the same driving. It was my daily driver before the Countryman.

I think I'll go to the dealer and complain about the crappy pad mileage in the hope that they replace them "for free?" If not, and they are charging some huge fee, I'll say no and get new parts from Rockauto. It looks like I can get new carbon/ceramic pads and front ware sensor for less than $100. Those are much better than the stock pads. They don't appear too difficult to replace.