So, I had the JCW brake / suspension kits put on my car today. The change in brake feel is a bit underwhelming, so thought I'd check other experiences.

What kind of break-in do I need to give these brakes? The SA suggested I take it a little easy to avoid 'hot spots" on the pads, but on the drive home I was expecting a substantial difference that just was not there.

I test drove a car with JCW brakes, and recall them to have been fairly impressive - but that was a few months ago.

I figure I can give it a week or two, and some more serious driving before taking it back in for adjustment - but any thoughts out there?
Suspension feels great. The stock setup seemed almost jarring, now, not so much. But, still, very early in that testing as well.

Gregg
05 MCS/JCW

 

According to MINI, it should take 300 miles to break in brakes.

 

Yeah, about 300 miles. When I upgraded the suspention on my MCS, it took about 300 Miles before they were really "Worked in." You'll notice it in a while. Hope that helped.

 

and please do not forget to tell us your opinions pls

 

The MINI dealer bulletin says, "the car must be run-in carefully for the first 200 miles before the sport brake kit will be fully effective".

It also states, "The JCW brake kit provides considerably more bite and gives the driver a more direct pedal response. Compared to the standard brake, a greater deceleration can be achieved with the same pedal force".

 

gr8britwjh,

I understand what you mean. I was kind of disappointed in the performance at first. I thought with these new binders, I would be able to suck my eyes out but to my surprise, I thought they felt a bit mushy and I even had Stoptech SS brake lines installed. I even had the brake system bleed again to make sure that was not the problem. Now that I have lived with the brakes, I really do not think you do not think you feel the entire benefits of the JCW brakes until you stomp on them. In my humble opinion, in these situations you get shorter stoping distances with less pedal effort. I would imagine that when I autocross with this set-up I will be able to tell more of a difference.

Hope this helps,

CB

 

Having just installed mine on Saturday, I have noticed them getting better by the day. Like someone above posted, the stockers started working earlier, but egads if you have to stop from 60 and stomp it, they will rip your eye sockets out. To bed them in, I did 10 60 to 10 stops, believe me they were hot. The big ticket is not to come to a complete stop after doing so, otherwise it is like throwing an egg on a frying pan. I have about 200 miles on them and had to do a panic stop today. No you have to worry if the person behind you can avoid you!

Give it some time, they will be fine!

 

This may be a stupid newbie question... if so, I apologize in advance and please be relatively kind with your flames. Seriously, though, I have searched and not found any hard numbers on stopping distances between stock brakes and JCW brakes. How about it, does anyone have the numbers?

 

OK... It just took a little more work off site to get the data. Here's what Road & Track posted regarding a 2003 MCS vs a 2006 MCS JCW. Get this: the 2006 JCW-equipped car takes LONGER to stop from 60mph and has LESS grip on the skidpad. Although data likely are within the margin of error this means the actual differences are meaningless... But that means the JCW option adds $7k (with brakes and suspension) to the price for NO appreciable improvement in performance -- other than acceleration. How can this be?

2003 MCS
0 - 60 mph: 7.7 sec
Braking from 60 mph: 121 feet
Braking from 80 mph: 217 feet
Skidpad: 0.87 g
Slalom Speed: n/a
Source: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=1

2006 MCS JCW
0 - 60 mph: 6.3 secs
Braking from 60 mph: 122 feet
Braking from 80 mph: 226 feet
Skipad: 0.86 g
Slalom Speed: 66.2 mph
Source: http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/d...data_panel.pdf

 

Here is some more Data;

http://motoringfile.com/2005/04/27/j...ke_kit_review/

I'm chasing TampaStangs Mods so I'm having mine installed on Sat morning.

TampaStang, are you coming over for the DTM Install day?

 

No, I have a ton of schoolwork to do, but will be over on Sunday for the lil500 and dinner. I wish could, I'd be in MINI heaven!

 

I find it ironic you cut and pasted this from a link you started titled "Is the JCW Package Truly Craptastic." I also think if you believe Road and Track or just about any other American based automobile rag #'s, I got a bridge to sell you.

At any rate, sure you could go with aftermarket parts that perform better or may have better pads available, but personally, I like going with parts that come from the vehicle manufacturer. Yes it is a matter of preference. And something most people will forget to mention about the other BBK's out there, some pads require lots of heat before they are useful, not necessarily a good thing on the street. Other pads will just eat up your rotors. For day to day driving, I can honestly say the sport brakes I installed are leagues better than the stockers from what I have experienced having owned both.

 

Got Mine





They seemed a little spongy on the top of pedal, but when they grab....they really grab...thanks TampaStang for the "Bedding In" Advice