North American Motoring

Mini Cooper 2014-Present: Brake Pad Reviews

Brake pads wear away over time, so it pays to keep a close eye on them and replace them periodically. Here are some of the more popular brake pads among Mini Cooper drivers.

By Jeffrey Bausch - June 29, 2016

This article applies to the Mini Cooper (2014-Present).

Replacing brake pads is one of those necessary chores tied to owning a car. There are a whole bunch to choose from, and different styles too, ranging from general commuting pads to street pads, track pads, and more. For Mini Cooper drivers, there are three popular aftermarket options, in addition to the OEM ones that come with the car. If you're in the market for a brake pads, read on to learn about all of your many different options.

Brake Pads on Mini Cooper

Mini Cooper Brake Pads
OEM
Hawk High Performance Street 5.0
Carbotech AX6
EBC Redstuff
Price
 $65 $85 $150 $100
Noise Level

Low

Low

High

Silent
Intended Use
 Street Street/Autocross Autocross/Street Street
Lifespan
 Average Longer than average Short Average
Dust Level
 Higher than normal Average High Low
Best Quality: EBC Redstuff

Best Value: EBC Redstuff

OEM

Price – $65

Noise – Low

Intended Use – Street

Lifespan – Average

Dust Level – Higher than normal

These brake pads do what they’re supposed to do–provide reliable performance for everyday use. There’s little mention of noise being an issue, and the lifespan is fairly average at about 50,000 miles for non-aggressive driving. Dust level is slightly higher than normal, but it’s not an inordinate amount. If you’ve never changed your brake pads before—and like what you have–stick with them! Recommended for people looking for OEM performance and a budget price.

Hawk High Performance Street 5.0

Price – $85

Noise – Low

Intended Use – Street/Autocross

Lifespan – Longer than average

Dust Level – Average

Reviewers of Hawk’s High Performance Street 5.0 brake pads cite the pads’ advanced design characteristics and how they contribute to a more immediate stop; this, in turn, leads to a better overall pedal feel. Lifespan is slight longer than average at approximately 65,000 miles. If you’re looking for more bang for the buck, Hawk is a reliable brand, and these pads are one of the company’s better products. Recommended for people who like to drive aggressively on winding roads.

Carbotech AX6

Price – $150

Noise Level – High

Intended use – Autocross/Street

Lifespan – Short

Dust Level – High

If you’re looking to take your Mini Cooper to the track, you’d be best served to outfit the vehicle with some Carbotech AX6 pads–a line specifically designed for track driving. Specifically, these are devised for Autocross, gymkhana, and other forms of lower speed motorsport, where the emphasis is on immediate performance and consistency in braking performance. These pads do make a bit of noise and shed a fair amount of dust—as such, they’re not recommended for general commuting. Per the latter point, the dust is non-corrosive and is easily washed off with a hose. All of that being said, these pads offer tremendous bite and very high heat resistance. In fact, some reviewers cite their needing to re-learn how to drive due to how effective these brakes were. Recommended for people who want smooth, easily controllable braking action, and need something a bit more aggressive, and able to handle motorsport use.

EBC Redstuff

Price – $100

Noise Level – Silent

Intended Use – Street

Lifespan – Average

Dust Level – Low

If you commute in your Mini and like to push it every now and again, do yourself a service and purchase some EBC Redstuff brake pads. These are by far the most popular aftermarket pads to go with, and for good reason. They’re silent, offer minimal dusting, and perhaps most importantly, tremendous stopping power. They will also last pretty much forever, while not being too hard on the brake rotors. They are a bit more than the average brake pad set, but the general consensus is they are worth every penny. Recommended for people who want a premium, daily driver brake pad that will last a long time.

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