I just recently had new brake pads installed on our 2015 Mini Cooper Countryman S and was told by the mechanic that the OEM rotors could not be turned due to minimum thickness from the factory and should be replaced. I chose not to do this due to cost, and now the brakes feel "spongy" and required more effort and distance to stop. The mechanic says that without new rotors, this "problem" could take up to a year or more for the new pads to "wear in" to the old rotors, but I've never heard of it taking more than a week or two of driving for the new pads to break in. The old rotors are immaculate...very smooth with no grooves or shaking felt when braking. Do I really need to replace the rotors to avoid this long (1 year +) break in period?

 

Did they turn the rotors? I'll assume they didn't if you were told they were already at minimum thickness. I know you mentioned that cost is a factor but rotors are a lot cheaper than a few years ago.