I love my MINI right now. I just got my new R90 rims, and new BFG KDW 2 tires (which are sick looking!). I have a problem now that I didn't have before with my S-Lites, my brakes literally look sick . My next mods are as planned:
In the next 3-4 monthes:
M7 Ultimate Grill(s)
M7 Springs
JCW Strut Brace (If they ever come out)
In the next 4-8 monthes:
Some kind of brake kit
JCW Tuning Kit 210hp
Maybe an M7 TB

The reason I highlighted the brake kit is that is really the only at this point that I am unsure of what to get and how to go about getting it. I really would like looks more than performance, I really am not going to track it, just take it through the twisties. So what's the best for me in your guys' opinion?

Mikey

BTW: I am now in some sort of mode where I really question taking off the stock MINI equipment and putting on aftermarket (ie JCW/M7). It really wasn't a problem with my wheels and tires because my originals are still my winter go to combo ( I really don't want to be sliding around on $2100 in rims and rubber). Like I said I really like my MINI now, but of course like most, (with our more feminine counterparts maybe not as much), Men of this species, I will always want that faster 0-speed limit time, a cooler looking car, and better handling on the twisties. What should I do to calm down my inner don't mod conscience?

 

anyone??

 

if you are not tracking it then bbks are quite a waste.. stock brakes does a good job...

although, to start, swap out brake fluid to something like superblue or motul...

if you experience fade, then swap out brake pads, ferodo ds2500 has served me well on the track and in the dead of winter

after that, if you still experience fade, then go with a slotted rotor from powerslot or rotora... they will look great behind any wheels

if you are after a bit of bling, paint your calipers...

throw in brake stiffening kit and stainless lines and you are probably going to do just as well

bbk also have clearance issues with some wheels, wilwood is the only one that will clear 15' wheels,

 

how do the stoptech sloted rotors fair.

 

I think the StopTEch kit is wayyyy more than anyone needs, and costs twice what you need to spend. That said....

Add caliper bushings. This will keep whatever pads you have square to the rotors.

Change the fluids. Get something that can handle heat better.

Go to different pads. There are so many, do some work and find the comound that suites your combination of uses.

SS lines, Much improved pedal feel.

You are done.

$120 for bushings.
$30 for fluids.
~$100+ for pads.
~$100 for SS lines.

So for $350, you'll have a set up that (for me) eliminated fade at the track (but I'm not as aggressive as some).

If you really have to have a bbk, I think the B3BBK and the TCE offernings are the best combination of increased performance and lower price.

Matt

 

I like my AP BBK.......pads are expensive


look at my gallery for pictures

 

1 rally trashed my stock brakes in less than 50 miles. I wouldn't dream of running any stock components to slow the car when rallying, and that's not a track use.

I could push the pedal to the floor and feel just the smallest modicum of slowing power.

My Wilwoods don't fade, and for the price of replacing fluid, getting new pads, stainless steel lines, rotors, and a caliper-stiffening kit (+ paint), you're over half-way there, and you're still only squeezing with one small piston.

I would say that there's no correct answer.

• The Wilwoods are inexpensive and stop like a champ, but they get very hot. Not ideal for track when using the aluminum pistons with rubber boots.
• StopTechs stop like a champ, don't get hot, but cost an arm and a leg. They also only clear a small number of wheels.
• Brembos - same deal. Expensive, very functional, but limited use.
• DetroitTuned BBK - good, inexpensive, not the flashiest.
• JCW - Bling only; essentially just up-rated stock brakes (sorry, JCW fans). I'm sure they're stronger than stock, but probably not by much.
• UUC - Another good choice, but still clearance issues (but lower cost makes that easier to absorb). Uses standard Corvette pads.
• AP - In the league of StopTech and Brembo, but very expensive pads.

I'm sure this didn't help, but there really are a bunch of options. You must choose what's right for you, based on a combination of the looks you're after, and the performance you expect to get from the system.

All of them can be removed and returned to stock, although the Wilwoods required some grinding where the hard brake-line mates up with the stainless steel lines (this may be common to all kits, but I don't think it had to be done for RedBaronF2001's StopTech kit).

 

I'll agree with most of that however the TCE/Wilwood kit is not based on the same caliper, rotor or pad package. The factory 'box' kits are what you are referencing. The larger 13" kits use not only more rotor but far more caliper and 50% thicker pads with stainless steel pistons. *Just making note of it for those who are comparing parts.

 

I have Brembo's (they were on the car when I bought it) and they are great, but total overkill for the street. Unless you drive nuts and never have to stop slowing down and turning.

On the track, they are fantastic with repeated hard braking. Fade free.

They are expensive to maintain (rotors cannot be turned if they are drilled, and replacement is 1000 bucks for fronts for rotor and hat assembly).

They do look cool, but at 3 grand installed, it's an expensive mod just for that. Plus you need spacers to run the stock wheels, and fitament with any aftermarket rims typically needs to be mount tested. Making online purchasing difficult.

Wilwoods are a great option (smaller caliper, smaller cost) and Todd's stuff seems pretty darn fantastic too.

Also, the brake bias is something to consider. With a BBK you really get the bais dialed to the front more than normal, which can catch you out when trail braking, etc.

 

Some good brake kit info at Randy Web's site:

http://store.webbmotorsports.com/ind...ex&cPath=16_13

 

I wish I could get something like this but in red, also I wish I could make the rear brakes look similar too. What's the best deal?? I want the front and back to look equal, there's no point in one being red and big and one being small, and silver. I think I will just paint them for now but when I get the dinero, I want something front and rear. Something that looks awesome, both front and rear.

Mikey

 

This request is not out of reach.

Many of the calipers on my kits as well as others suppliers can be powder coated to any color you wish.

The rear calipers can be painted to match (or removed and PC'd if you have time) so they go with the fronts.

Currently the only rear rotor change that I'm aware of is on my 11.75 kit. Paired with a front of 13" this makes a killer mix. And bias for the number crunchers is in check. I'd not suggest the 11.75 rear with the smaller Wilwood factory kits. It will work and not be 'bad' but like some of the mondo front kits this one is not the best mix.

 

I go for performance and looks (and sound) tend to follow. Remeber, coating parts that get hot can effect how well they cool. As a physics nerd, the best color is flat black (radiates the most heat). Shiney silver is the worst.....

But that being said, if cost is an issue, do the small stuff, get a caliper painting kit (there are some photos here of some calipers that have been painted) and put the rest of the money to things that make you faster! (or handle better or whatever). Sure the big rotors look good, but if you don't need the thermal mass, you're really giving up handling (via increased unsprung wieght and increased rotational mass). Sure, some calipers drop some weight (TonyB, no need to correct me here ), but even if you have a lighter rotor that is larger in diameter, it can take more energy to turn (rotational mass, or moment of interna for the nerds, has contributions based on the radius of rotation squared).

Overall, I think a lot of people do more harm than good to the cars performance by getting more brake than they need. If it's really needed, find out how much is needed, and don't add any more. Like Todd said, for some apps, he provides different calipers to handle the heat, but they weigh more. This is a good trade if you need the performance, but just a waste of money and added weight (comared to what you can get) if you don't.

I'm a big fan when it comes to too much power (is there really such a thing?) but I strongly reccomend you match your braking purchase with actuall use requirements. Overkill here pays a price elsewhere in what we do with the cars, drive them like heck!

Matt

 

Hi Matt - This is exactly what I would like to do.

Big brake kits look cool, but I'm really after better performance/feel... not impressing chicks at 'the mall'.

Anyway - I was at Pocono Raceway last friday (the 15th) with NASA on a track day and after everything heated up, experienced a good amount of brake fade. After speaking to a couple people there who already had big brake kits (and who now wish they had just done a few upgrades like you've mentioned!) I've decided I'd like to go the 'incremental upgrade' route. Great improvement/cost-effective.

Where did you get your components (bushings, slotted rotors, fluids, etc)?

I've been hunting around and haven't found a source...

Cheers!! - - Michael

 

Let me just stop you right there: chicks are most definitely not impressed by big brake kits. In fact, I think it's a signal, rather like a mullet, that the person in the car is not really one to bring home to mama.

Everyone in my neighborhood with a BBK is either a thug or white trash. Except me.

 

The bushings can be found at a couple of vendors. Check the review here for links. Any parts place for the brake fluid of choice, I've found Mini sites have brake pads...... But you may have to make a few calls to get just what you want.......

Matt

 

ST 328mm BBK front, ST rear rotors/Goodridge SS lines with TMS bushings and Axiss pads all around

 

...Well, I guess the 'chicks' in 'ol virginny ain't...but 'chicks' up here in Joisey that hang out with guys who like to drive their 'fast-n-furious' wannabees hondas around mall parking lots do.

 

I don't know about chicks but my boy sure thinks its cool and that's a bonus

 

Today's special: Chick magnet BBKs!
Better hurry. Before your neighbor gets one.

 

I don't know about you, but those aren't the chicks I want noticing the car (or the driver, for that matter). There are some, to be sure, who would willingly throw themselves at the ricers, but I prefer smaller hairdos and more teeth in a woman.

Before I bought the MINI, my wife and I got a big kick out of guys with little cars that had been street modified. We thought they were big dorks. Now I guess I'm a huge dork, since I've spent $K's modifying a car that only has 115BHP.

I will reattest, though, that my money was not wasted on my BBK. I've had my share of minor problems with these brakes, but I had far worse problems with the stock rig, ones that put my life in danger.

I'm sure I could have gone a less expensive route and accomplished something similar, but I really don't mind investing heavily in a safety part. Not to preach, but I'm more comfortable dropping money on safety than speed.

 

Say ChillCooperS why the new JCW brake kit? For sure its balanced correctly for the car and the price is not that bad installed and it certainly comes with a cool degree factor.