Seeking advice on beefy brakes and little wheels (16") after-market options?

[Paul]

This isn't immediately needed (as I don't have the money), but in the future I hope to replace my OEM x-lites with lighter 16" wheels, and some better brakes (and braided hoses).

The sort of wheels I'd be looking at would be light wheels such as the SSR Competition, Wedsport TC005, anything really that's lighter than the x-lites, and not too unattractive!

What "big brake" kits are there that are an option for 16" wheels, is this possible....

I've searched and read a bit, but would like some input from those who've "been there, done that", if possible.

Thanks again.

Paul

[cooper7]

Paul don't know if it will be of any interest to you but i am going to be selling my imported Volk Racing Wheels from Rays Wheels, they are forged, a good looking set of rims, very rare and weigh less than 5kg each!!!


Think there is a Wilwood kit that will fit with 16"s

[Paul]

The Volks are VERY nice, but pricey and hard to come by, only reason I didn't list them!

[Richard Crofts]

I cant find any reasonable priced BBKs that fit the standard off set for the MINI in 16"/17" You pretty much seem to have to run spacers of the offset is standard or close to standard. Not sure that any BBKs will fit 16" rim...probably because the increased disc size takes up too much room....however I am definatley no expert.

I am opting for Standard calipers front and rear at the mo. but intend to put Brembo uprated discs on the front, goodrich braided lines, uprated fluid and Mintex uprated pads. I then intend to go for EBC uprated rears with Mintex pads. I was considering JCW upgrade for the front and sticking to the EBC rears with mintex pads.

I intend to do some trackdays in mine and hope that this will give me the extra needed bite and heat resistance to stop/reduce fade.

On the road I don't really think that even a 225 S needs a BBK to stop it in a reasonable distance (once you go to 225+ you might want to think again). The MINI is not that heavy a car and most are running 16" or 17" wheels, whcih don't take a BBK to stop them rotating. The MINi has a quite large rear brake bias (about 20% I think) so doing the rears as well as fronts will probably give a road S enough stopping power, especially if it had a red JCW caliper (bigger single pot) at the front (the red paint makes it stop so much better ) I don't think that the JCW kit is very good value for money, but on a road S that and uprated rear discs and pads would def give you enough slowing power, with minimal fade.

R

R

[Richard Crofts]

Thinking about it I think Cooper7 is right, I'm sure I saw a wilwood kit on an american site that fits 16"...but I think its expensive once you get it to the UK (minimania?)

[Paul]

I may do the odd track day, so that is a consideration. But my last S had 220+ bhp, and the brakes were not up the task on spirited drives around town sometimes, let alone on my country lane jaunts. This time around, time and money allowing, I want to work ground up, which I've always believed the "right way" to mod your car anyway, even if I've not lived by that rule myself!

[snid]

These are the folks in the US that do good brakes for the MINI in a variety of sizes, including a kit that will fit under 15" wheels. Great guys...

http://www.tceperformanceproducts.co...s.pl?record=13

[timmydamini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

This isn't immediately needed (as I don't have the money), but in the future I hope to replace my OEM x-lites with lighter 16" wheels, and some better brakes (and braided hoses).

The sort of wheels I'd be looking at would be light wheels such as the SSR Competition, Wedsport TC005, anything really that's lighter than the x-lites, and not too unattractive!

What "big brake" kits are there that are an option for 16" wheels, is this possible....

I've searched and read a bit, but would like some input from those who've "been there, done that", if possible.

Thanks again.

Paul

Hi Paul,

I fitted the Wilwood kit principally because it allowed me use 16' wheels. I've been very happy with it, my posts:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/wheels-tyres-brakes/104036-wilwood-brake-kit.html

Regards,
Tim

[Paul]

Thanks Tim, that's really useful (and expensive, as I'd expected to be fair!).

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid

These are the folks in the US that do good brakes for the MINI in a variety of sizes, including a kit that will fit under 15" wheels. Great guys...

http://www.tceperformanceproducts.co...s.pl?record=13

If you're looking for some good feedback on the Wilwoods PM TonyB. He has been running them for around a year. He's been very happy with them.

Here's a link to his thread

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...od#post1180032

[Paul]

Sent him a PM asking for some advice on here.

[todd tce]

Wilwood 11.75s will clear many 15s. Not the factory wheels however from what I am told. The 12.2 is a slightly larger kit (duh) for 16s and larger, but uses the same bracket and a small radial spacer to move it out. So, if one were to purchase either size factory Wilwood kit you could change the rotors out at some point and go up or down in size very easily.

The 13" kits are all going to require 17" or larger wheels. And far more caliper clearance room due to the much larger (consider them full size) racing calipers.

I recently did a custom radial conversion kit with fully booted four pot big calipers on the 13" rotor for a customer as well. Turned out quite nice but the costs do jump too.

[TonyB]

Looks like Todd beat me to the punch!!!

They clear my 16" Volk CE28N's with ease (no spacers required). The braking is much improved, namely no noticable fade. As a very nice side-benefit, I like the 11 lbs savings with this front kit For less than $1k US (installed myself, with a phone call to Todd), I'm very happy... for well over a year now.

[Paul]

Thanks folks, that's interesting stuff.... This could end up costing me.

[woodsy_bear]

Just out of interest Paul, where would you buy the SSR Comps from if you went for them?

The only reason I ask is that I've got the Stoptech BBK and I've heard the 17" SSR Comps fit round this particular BBK without spacers, but can only find distributors over in the states. Just wondered if you knew anywhere more local.