Hi

I'm just looking at replacing my rear discs and pads on my 06 Cooper S. What would everyone recommend for a performance option and a budget option?

David

I would use genuine mini parts as performance pads may not give you as much bite untill they are hot and budget parts my wear out quicker, discs to be honest I would only buy performance if they look good through the wheel, cross drilled for example unless you push your car to the limits you probably wont notice any difference

I would use genuine mini parts as performance pads may not give you as much bite untill they are hot and budget parts my wear out quicker, discs to be honest I would only buy performance if they look good through the wheel, cross drilled for example unless you push your car to the limits you probably wont notice any difference

And why would you use genuine Mini parts? Are you a mini dealer?

I to have have a cooper S (07) Cabriolet, and just been quoted by bmwmini to change the front discs and pads.

Hence I'm also looking for the parts. My wife drives the car and is certainly no speed freak, so wouldn't need perf parts but can't see mini parts been any different to cheaper (only by price) branded disks and pads.

There are plenty of sellers out there (fleabay etc) it's just knowing where or/and who to go with, so in answer to my question?????

I would contact a Lohen, outmotoring or any one of the specialist aftermarket websites. You can get performance pads for less than the OEM.....or buy the generic pads from the manufacturer.....

I use geniune parts just not from the stealer! :)

And why would you use genuine Mini parts? Are you a mini dealer?

I to have have a cooper S (07) Cabriolet, and just been quoted by bmwmini to change the front discs and pads.

Hence I'm also looking for the parts. My wife drives the car and is certainly no speed freak, so wouldn't need perf parts but can't see mini parts been any different to cheaper (only by price) branded disks and pads.

There are plenty of sellers out there (fleabay etc) it's just knowing where or/and who to go with, so in answer to my question?????

I used genuine Mini pads in mine (infact we do in all of them) for 3 reasons:

1) They last - 50,000 miles and still 3.5mm left
2) I've heard of greenstuff etc falling apart - OEM are more thoroughly tested
3) They're not that pricey - £85 was what it cost me to have the pads replaced including labour and VAT.

Can get the pads from mini for around £50ish, and if you want to fit them yourself, you know they're going to fit.

I'm not a mini dealer, however you'd not save much going elsewhere. I also use my dealer for tyres as they are either the same price as the cheapest in the area, or even cheaper as has been the case on 3 occasions. Plus you get all the dealer benefits for going there such as collection and delivery. Not all dealers are bad.

Okay, so where's the best place to get OEM pads and discs? Online would be fine.
I just need the fronts doing, the warning light hasn't come on yet so would that be reusable?

I was also thinking about doing them myself, changed my rear vauxhall van brakes last week prior to its MOT. But can't seem to find any instruction, haynes only go up to 2006 and doesn't cover msc cabs. Any ideas where I can get the info?

Plus I need wishbone bushes. Any help there?

Try Mstyle, Woodmans (sponsor) or maybe Euro car parts. Although dealers do the mini value kit now which probably makes them as cheap and more convenient.

I was told that you thread the sensors removing them from the pads, but that could just be a sales pitch - if you're careful I'd imagine they'd be fine...

I can't speak from experience, but logically I'd say they're the same as the hatch?

Just over a year ago i had a 2002 BMW 5 Series M Sport.

When the pad and disks needed changing i decided to replace them with Mintex parts.

Standard rear disks, drilled and grooved front disks and fast road pads.

All i can say is amazing stopping power on a heavy car in any conditions, far better than OEM.

And the best bit, i brought them on ebay from a shop for about half the price BMW quoted.

Defiantly worth a look.

Why would I be a Mini dealer just because I recommended genuine parts, I recommended these as you know what you are getting, you dont need to buy them from a dealership. The question was for rear brakes, why would you put performance brakes on the rear and leave the front standard as this would affect brake balance.. and as for cheap alternatives then you may buy twice so where is the savings...

I ran my Mini Cooper (02 - same rear brakes as the 06 Cooper S) on Powerslot rotors and Mintex pads.

a) the mintex pads were (for a limited time) on the BMW list for JCW Clubsport after market accessories and 1/4 the price of the regular pads.
b) beautiful from cold (it all depends what compound you get. Not all aftermarket stuff only works when glowing red hot)
c) both discs and pads last longer and ran hotter without cracking than the OEM discs and pads. Again, just because one aftermarket pad is rubbish doesn't mean all are).

For the record I killed 3 sets of factory OEM discs, pads and master cylinders in 20,000km and did heaps of research. Biggest prob is the factory stuff just can't handle the savage heat cycling caused by my driving style.

Not all mintex pads are cheaper some are more expensive than standard fit, you bought the pads to suit your needs, but most people dont require that, so if you have a normal driving style, what do people recommend. You can spend thousands on brake upgrades so i didnt think £40 pads would make that much of a difference