Just an FYI for those keeping track of the longevity of older MINI models. Mine was built 01/03 and I've just started to label it as one of the v1.0 models: those built before all the kinks were worked out.

I posted recently about the fact that my OE brakes lasted to just past 85K miles and that I found out that they needed to be replaced because the local mechanic noticed when I swapped the summer wheels for the winter ones that they were all close to the backing. That's when we found out that my MINI wasn't born with brake wear sensors.

Well, the brakes squealed so I took it back for paste and that's when they showed me the wheel wobble. This morning I had the rear driver's side wheel bearing/hub replaced.

How often does this happen? No, I haven't slammed it sideways against a curb a la Italian Job and I don't believe the lug nuts have been too tight but it's hard to say I didn't hit a few pot holes over so many miles. I have done the Dragon and thousands of other twisties over the years but I'm too cautious to abuse the curves.

So, what causes bearing failure and should I be worried about the other three wheels? Is this one of those things everyone but me knows about BMW products? Thanks.

 

but as more cars age, we'll see more. But every car brand or model, no matter how good, will have a few wheel bearing failures when the fleet is over 80k miles old.

Brake pads to 85k? These are wear items, and I'm on my third or fourth set at about 83k......

But really, the brakes are wear items, and going 85k without inspection is just asking for trouble. Good thing you cought it before anything bad happend.

And the brake wear sensors aren't that great. They only cover 2 of the eight surfaces. If the wear is uneven at all, you may not get a warning before you get to metal to metal.

Matt

 

The brakes were regularly inspected and I knew approximately how close I was to their end but also was expecting the sensor to light at the appropriate time. I also know to go to service when the backing starts scraping the rotors. The MINI has had regular and by-the-book maintenance done at the proper intervals. Since I made it to 85K, I replaced pads and rotors all around. The number of miles on the original brakes seems to be quite a point of controversy among my car crazy friends. Racers and city drivers only make 30K avg but friends with Volvos claim 120K on originals. C'est la vie!

 

I agree totally with this, most MINIs brake pads do not last nearly this long, and should be checked more frequently. I ALWAYS check an entire car out bumper to bumper, even if it is only in for an oil change, and I spot most problems starting while doing mid-interval oil changes. Front wheel bearings are more prone to failure on a MINI, given that it does all the work, but if one side wears out, the other is usually only a few miles behind it, but should only be expected to last 100-150K miles( that doesn't mean replace them if they aren't bad)
--Dan

 

When there is 2.5mm of pad left (looks like a lot) it is worn out, generates more heat and is more likely to warp the rotors before they are replaced. The rotors are also wear items and should be replaced every other set of pads, and should NEVER be resurfaced. Worn out out pads will also get harder and wear the rotor faster.
--Dan

 

Grassroots -- that was a poor attempt at a joke by me.

Nevertheless, I don't do my own work and have to rely on the professionals to know these things and report them accurately to me. Because I have the wheels swapped for winter and summer seasons -- Blizzaks on the original MINI wheels and Falkens on newer Kazeras -- the brakes have been inspected more frequently than oil changes. And, I also had an alignment in the last 10K. One pad was past 2.5 but not much when the complete brake job was done. This post was more about the bearing than the brakes so thanks for your opinion about the expected longevity of the other three bearings! LN