I just installed and bedded the pads/rotors. The stopping power of the JCW MINI is incredible with these pads. I honestly thought that the stock Brembo pads were about as good as it would get but I was dead wrong. These things are amazing and should really help shave some time at the next autocross.

There is only a slight squeal on moderate braking and it does not seem to squeal in the final moments of stopping which is good.

Stock pads are not that great. You should try Carbotech XP8s on the fromt and AX6 on the rear, and also upgrade brake lines and fluid for stopping power...

Are the XP8 pads loud? The AX6 pads obviously squeak and do so very loudly when braking really hard but it does not bother me. It lets me know I have a performance pad on there and I drive it for fun anyways. I have heard some pads that sound more like a metal on metal sound which would be annoying. I don't mind noise as long as its like the AX6 pads.

my XP8s only squeak under light braking; under hard braking there's little noise, if any at all.

How would brake lines and fluid improve stopping power? SS braided brake line may offer a small feel difference due to the expansion of the rubber hoses versus SS but that is it. Fluid is basically only applicable in wet and dry boiling points and has nothing to do with stopping power.

improved feel and less chances of boiling the brake fluid