Ok MINI guru's....here's one for you......

I know that standard pads and rotors, both front and rear, are forward compatible from 2002 MCS (and MC) through and including 2006 MCS (and MC).

But what about calipers? I am told by the dealer that 2006 calipers have a diiferent number than 2002. I forgot to ask if that was true for front and rear. The parts guy did not know what the difference is.

So my question is this......

Will the 2006 MCS calipers, front and/or rear, fit my 2002 MCS?

Your responses are greatly appreciated.

....Les

 

At least for the fronts, the parts numbers look identical (they list the old part # as ended and a new part number of a 02 build same as 06

goto http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...34&hg=34&fg=05

plug in the right build dates and take a look

 

Well now.....that's an interesting site.....according to that database the calipers are forward compatible as well.

But like all databases........can it be trusted?

....Les

 

Rear calipers may prove different based on the port inlet. One is M10 direct, the other M12 banjo.

If you really want to see what makes it tick you'll need hard data. Any change in piston area, change in pad size or location and maybe a change to bridge design would be worth following. Other than that a caliper is a caliper is a caliper....like any mass produced car; sometimes the parts bin and supplier varied.

 

so if it is that, then one would only need to replace the flexible hose in order to put a new caliper on. one point you missed, and one where I have to disagree, calipers are broadly different, even from mass producers. manufacturing capabilities from one machining supplier to the next, probably drive those differences the most; as well as sliding mechanisms, and caliper attachment methods. the point I think you missed is that small changes, like pin design, clip design, and pad abutment design (just to mention a few) can also have significant effects on caliper performance. not to say that what you said isn't right most of the time, just that I know that our benchmarking room was full of BIC(best in class) calipers, and I think every manufacturer held at least one BIC spot.

 

I'm not clear on how you can disagree with me on something I've missed.? You chose to expand the differences to include a more refined list of how they could be different. And an excellent job of it too. I don't disagree with you at all.

Like most mass produced cars however you may find the reason for the parts bin to contain calipers from ATE, Girling, TRW or someone else has more to do with who won the contract for production recently or who was out of stock resulting in a second supplier.

I don't dispute your notes on all those points you mention. I do think that more people who are interested in caliper changes are far more interested in how a caliper change can effect their braking. I'm looking at it from the aftermarket point of view. Most buyers are wanting brake improvements. I can assure you that comments about "more clamping power" would win out over "pad abutment design" in the eye of the buyer.

Caliper swaps are quite common on a couple of other cars I work with. The most common are the Mustang and the Eclipse. There are multiple changes over the years and a lot of parts swaping going on. For the most part the changes are in the name of "performance" - even though many may not be able to define that, given needs vary. A common misconception is that a twin pot caliper for an Eclipse provides better braking than a single. In fact the piston area is identical. By design however the twin offers more efficient pad pressure- but no more torque.

All I was driving at in the case of the MINI is that changing a caliper to a new part without knowing more about the hard aspsects of the caliper won't be a promise of performance. I don't know too many who shop new parts for pin design.

What's needed to truly compare parts is a detailed list of the parts and specs on them.

 

Well.....I have a confession......changing to '06 calipers was not an "upgrade" in performance move. It was an economic move. I can aquire a pair of front '06s for very minimal monetary expenditure.

And whilst you both have good points concerning manufacturing differences and potential internal design differences, that's not the basis for my inquiry.

It was strictly monetary. Will they 'fit'. It appears they will. I think I'll score the purchase and then have fun with disassembling the MINI and see if the fit.

Thanks guys......Les

 

to clarify on the first comment... I'm sometimes horribly unclear; one of these days I'll read what I write before I hit the 'submit' button ...just meant to say that I disagree with your statement "Other than that a caliper is a caliper is a caliper..."
not any of the other ones. then I meant to say what I said.
also, yeah... you're right about more ppl being interested in more clamping power than a new pad abutment design, but the abutment design, may allow the caliper to be more effecient, provide less friction, make less noise, and allow the same caliper to provide quicker release times...but I digress... most ppl are interested in HP(for engines) and stopping distances; they just forget a lot of "everything else" makes any design "good"
anywho, back OT...I do agree that swapping out a caliper with minor differences won't provide any noticeable difference(most of the time).
but then again, I have seen measures of performance (slide load, drag, rollback, fluid displacement, etc) change quite a bit (well quite a bit when 3 or 4 Nm either way can mean pass or fail) with VERY minor changes.

 

How "minimal"? Just so happens I have a pair of front calipers ...

 

Thanks Chows but the deal is done. Two front calipers, two front rotors, front pads and rear pads, less that ten miles (takeoffs for a JCW kit), 96 bucks. That's cheaper than just front and rear pads from NAPA.

Now to find two rear rotors and I'm all ready to do the brakes. NAPA has rear rotors at 26 bucks each. May just get them there but I'm trying to keep OEM parts on it. It's just a daily driver, no AX for me.

....Les

 

And if you got them from Chad down in SC, you got a great seller! I've purchased from him before - the stuff will arrive well packed and nice and clean. Enjoy!

 

You nailed it smokey....Les