Standard MINI Brakes. Lose performance after 12,000 miles ?

[badboyzbadboyz]

Hi MINI2er's,


When I first picked up my MCS in March 04 I always noticed how well the brakes felt. I knew the brakes on the MINI wasn't its strongest asset but they did have the ability to stop very well when I was traveling at fast or slow speeds. Since then I have noticed a drop in the performance of my brakes and the other day when I moved my girlfriends 1 year old Nissan Micra I was amazed how sharp and direct her brakes were when moving at slow speeds (10 - 15 mph). If I tap her brakes the car jumps to a stop whereas my brakes tend to come to a standstill without the urgency. This is more noticeable at slow speeds as they feel a bit better when traveling at 45 mph plus (ish). Is this common with other MINI's ? Not sure if I should visit the dealers or not. Any comments or advise is much appreciated.

Andrew

[Stevie B]

If you think your brake performance has dropped, then you should have them checked. Could be any number of things. Does the pedal feel spongey? Have you checked/changed the fluid? I had a motorcycle with an almost undetecable leak from the brake caliper onto the disc. Talk about brake fade. While in there, change out the brake lines to stainless steel. That'll improve them dramatically. Rubber brake lines suck!

Quote: Originally Posted by badboyzbadboyz

Hi MINI2er's,


When I first picked up my MCS in March 04 I always noticed how well the brakes felt. I knew the brakes on the MINI wasn't its strongest asset but they did have the ability to stop very well when I was traveling at fast or slow speeds. Since then I have noticed a drop in the performance of my brakes and the other day when I moved my girlfriends 1 year old Nissan Micra I was amazed how sharp and direct her brakes were when moving at slow speeds (10 - 15 mph). If I tap her brakes the car jumps to a stop whereas my brakes tend to come to a standstill without the urgency. This is more noticeable at slow speeds as they feel a bit better when traveling at 45 mph plus (ish). Is this common with other MINI's ? Not sure if I should visit the dealers or not. Any comments or advise is much appreciated.

Andrew

[badboyzbadboyz]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stevie B

If you think your brake performance has dropped, then you should have them checked. Could be any number of things. Does the pedal feel spongey? Have you checked/changed the fluid? I had a motorcycle with an almost undetecable leak from the brake caliper onto the disc. Talk about brake fade. While in there, change out the brake lines to stainless steel. That'll improve them dramatically. Rubber brake lines suck!

Thanks Steve, I think maybe I should go visit the dealer coz Ive been delaying it for a while now. Will BMW be able to change the line to stainless steel ? Do you have a rough idea about cost for this ?

[Loui]

Quote: Originally Posted by badboyzbadboyz

Hi MINI2er's,


When I first picked up my MCS in March 04 I always noticed how well the brakes felt. I knew the brakes on the MINI wasn't its strongest asset but they did have the ability to stop very well when I was traveling at fast or slow speeds. Since then I have noticed a drop in the performance of my brakes and the other day when I moved my girlfriends 1 year old Nissan Micra I was amazed how sharp and direct her brakes were when moving at slow speeds (10 - 15 mph). If I tap her brakes the car jumps to a stop whereas my brakes tend to come to a standstill without the urgency. This is more noticeable at slow speeds as they feel a bit better when traveling at 45 mph plus (ish). Is this common with other MINI's ? Not sure if I should visit the dealers or not. Any comments or advise is much appreciated.

Andrew

Ive always thought the mini brakes were its weak link TBH, its amazing how responsive the brakes are on those little micras crazy isnt it

[stono jnr]

Quote: Originally Posted by badboyzbadboyz

Hi MINI2er's,


When I first picked up my MCS in March 04 I always noticed how well the brakes felt. I knew the brakes on the MINI wasn't its strongest asset but they did have the ability to stop very well when I was traveling at fast or slow speeds. Since then I have noticed a drop in the performance of my brakes and the other day when I moved my girlfriends 1 year old Nissan Micra I was amazed how sharp and direct her brakes were when moving at slow speeds (10 - 15 mph). If I tap her brakes the car jumps to a stop whereas my brakes tend to come to a standstill without the urgency. This is more noticeable at slow speeds as they feel a bit better when traveling at 45 mph plus (ish). Is this common with other MINI's ?

Ah dont necessarily compare brake performance between your Mini and something like a Micra.

because on most of those small city cars, the manufacturers have gone and put as much additional assistance into stuff like the brakes as they can, so its not that theyre better brakes or that your brakes are worse, its that you just need less gusto on the Micra brake pedal to achieve the same braking effect.

and it will be the same with the steering and the clutch, theyre deliberately being over compensated/boosted, to make the micra feel, well easy to drive really.


FWIW I dont think the MCS brakes are that great, but really if youve got doubts about them, Id definately get them checked out.


Stono