I want to replace my Brake pads with new ones. What's the best pad to use for daily driving, monthly autox, monthly track days, that produces the least amount of dust and doesn't squeel? Do they exist, or only in my dreams.... :roll:

Also, what is the true deal with brake squeel. I thought as you increased the compound to a race compound the more likely the brakes were to squeel. But in another post someone mentioned that compound had nothing to do with it because it's not the pad surface that makes the squeeling noise, it's the back of the pad on the brake puck.

Squeel can be a fricton or a backing plate issue. I would agree that noise can be either shim side or friction side. As a matieral posesses higher friction coeffience ususally makes more noise when cold, and can potentailly be harder on rotors.

Alex

I replace my stock pads with Mintex Redbox front and rear for about $35 a set front and same for the rear. They perform well for street driving, create less brake dust than stock pads, don't make noise and last long. They can be used for autocross but they are not as good as some others.

Another common choice for pads is EBC green for the lower brake dust and good stopping but the price is higher about $80 per set front and rear.

Since I wanted to increase track day (non-competitive) performance I replaced my front pads with Ferrodo 2500s (per Randy at Webb Motorsports). I've had one track day and the pads definitely worked better - no fade at all. I'm also happy with their everyday performance. The brake dust has not really been an issue. However, despite my best efforts to "bed them in" prior to the track event, ever since the event (last November) the brakes have been squeeling like crazy - particularly on cold days. I basically sound like an NYC subway train every time I come to a stop during normal driving conditions. I'd love to find a way to cure this squeel; nevertheless I'd still recommend the Ferrodo 2500.

mintex reds are the standard option for mini in europe. harder feel and better response. bmw thinks that the us market wants softer brakes so they chose not to put them on us minis. go figure :eek:

I have the EBC Greens... VERY little dust. Other than aggressive street driving, I haven't worked the brakes that hard. I've been told they work fine for autoX but, won't last more than 4-5 hard track days. I have almost no squeel.

>>mintex reds are the standard option for mini in europe. harder feel and better response. bmw thinks that the us market wants softer brakes so they chose not to put them on us minis. go figure :smile:

I have EBC redstuff....
I'm not a brake pad ....guru...but I 've had no problems..no squeaks...no issues:)
I am a spirited driver as I've mentioned in some posts and
my MCS stops "real well"....:smile:

Peace,
D

Ok, I think I've deceided... I'll get the cheapest "Red" ones I can find so they will match my car... :lol:

All kidding aside, I noticed that for 2004 EBC has 2 "RedStuff" pads one "V3" not for track days and a Ceramic "RedStuff" pad for steet/track. I can't find if anyone carries the Ceramic pads for the MINI. I think they maybe too new, since everyone appears to sell just "Redstuff" pads I'm assuming they are not the newer pads.

Alex, are the EBC Redstuff Ceramic pads available for the MINI?

>>Alex, are the EBC Redstuff Ceramic pads available for the MINI?

V2 is what I have . No release info on V3 yet.

Alex

I had AEM Ceramic pads on my 99 Accord V6 and they were great. If EBC comes out with a ceramic pad for the Mini, thats what I'll get when my EBC Greens need replacing.

Axxis Ultimate..... no squel long lasting shorter breaking distance....

daniel-

>>>>Alex, are the EBC Redstuff Ceramic pads available for the MINI?
>>
>>V2 is what I have . No release info on V3 yet.
>>
>>Alex
Are these for the S's with the wear indicator? Is that still an issue?

>>Axxis Ultimate..... no squel long lasting shorter breaking distance....
>>
>>daniel-

Cypher,
Where did you get the Axxis Ultimate pads from????

paddy

Any word on if the EBC Redstuff Ceramics are available yet for the Coopers? I'm needing new pads, and I'd hate to miss the chance to get some better pads put on!
Alex, any word on these?

-Laclede

>>Any word on if the EBC Redstuff
>>Alex, any word on these?

We're no longer handling Red stuff, just Green now.

Alex

I have the EBC Red Stuff V2 pads on my MCS and I would not recommend them for anything harder than daily driving. I am very disappointed with them. I put them on all 4 corners about 6 weeks ago. I have used them for 1 auto-cross and 1 spirited drive through the mountains with MINI5280 and both front pads cracked and now squeal like the stock pads.

The Ferodo’s lasted about 9 months and held up to multiple auto-crosses, track days and many drives.

Hopefully the V3’s will be better.

Good Luck,
Brad

>>>>Any word on if the EBC Redstuff
>>>>Alex, any word on these?
>>
>>We're no longer handling Red stuff, just Green now.
>>
>>Alex
Why are you no longer handling the Reds?

Kotex.

Oh, wait...

I like my ferodo's but they squeal like Ned Beaty.

-J

I have replaced cracked stock pads after one track day with Ferodo 2500 front and Mintex Red rear. All new pads started to make noise after one autocross and the Ferodos squealed so bad, I took 220 grit garnet paper and pressed gently on all rotors as I spun them by hand to take off any glaze. That and a bit of anti-squeal spray everything as made it all quiet again. Tracked yesterday no fade and even acceptable dust. In the winter I go back to Mintex red in front and save the expensive Ferodos for the summer.

Jeff

I have replaced cracked stock pads after one track day with Ferodo 2500 front and Mintex Red rear. All new pads started to make noise after one autocross and the Ferodos squealed so bad, I took 220 grit garnet paper and pressed gently on all rotors as I spun them by hand to take off any glaze. That and a bit of anti-squeal spray everything as made it all quiet again. Tracked yesterday no fade and even acceptable dust. In the winter I go back to Mintex red in front and save the expensive Ferodos for the summer.

Jeff

>>That and a bit of anti-squeal spray everything as made it all quiet again. .
>>
>>Jeff

what is that anti-squeal spray, what do I spray it on, and where do I get it? The ds2500's rule when you get some heat in them.

Ubercooper

I tried a can of spray, cost about $3.00 at a Car Quest store. I wrapped blue painters masking tape around the edges of the removed pads, set them on a sheet of newspaper and sprayed a light coat on the back of the pads. Let dry at least 15 minutes and installed. ( it was still tacky, took off the painters tape of course) no squeel to date after a few thousand miles + autocross + track day.

Jeff

awesome, I will be giving that a shot this weekend.
Thanks
Ubercooper