[Mull3t]

Hey all!

Hope everyone had a wicked xmas and a top new years!

Well my 04 MC has gone into today for service, and I just got a call from Sytner Mini, Who said my Break pads (didnt say which ones) but were getting a lil bit worn and they still was a bit of tread on them (think she said 4mm)

and would I like them to change them for me at a cost of £94.99 not including VAT.

I said no, only cos I wanna look around first, and see what it is like to maybe do it ya self?

My dad knows how to change brake pads etc, and I do have a few contacts like garages etc.

What I wanna know is, what are the best brake pads? (Dont want to pay over the top, but again dont wanna be cheapos so I have to change them in like 1000miles.

Is it easy to do ya self?

How much is 4mm? is that bad? shud I have a lil look myself? is it summat that needs to be done like today?

I cant feel any change in breaking on my Mini, whats the usual feeling you get when you know/relise ya break pads new changing?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[:: Jon ::]

go order some then change them yourself at the weekend.. not a hard job...

[Mull3t]

Wheres best place to get um? and how much?

[drumzz]

mini parts will usually order them in for u..not so sure on the price.also, if you dont mind me asking, how many miles do u have on the car, and have the pads been changed before?

[:: Jon ::]

£43 for the front and £38 for the rear

[Mull3t]

the car has done 21k

I aint sure if they havnt been changed before, but while ive had the mini they havnt.

Quick question, I noticed the other week my Brake Fliud was overdue by 283days!

I spoke to Sytner today and they apoligised and they looked on ther system and seen it hadnt been done. My question is, if they break fliud is in a bad way etc (cos it must have been if it was 283 days over due) could this effect the ware of my pads?

[Richard Crofts]

Fluid doesn't really have a direct relation to pad wear. Needs to be done every 2 years as it can get water in it and degrade over time. Its a simple job to drain and refil and bleed, just like bleeding and refilling any other system. I would suggest mintex pads if going for stock as they are who make the JCW pads I believe and also the discs and pads for standard Coopers etc. They also do upgrade pads m1144s which on the cooper are good.

Costs are differeng depending on brand, uprated or standard. Also wether need discs or not or if just fronts or both F and R. I also used to use feroddo pads on my other cars so maybe they are a possible manufacturer for standard ones?

Rears require a special tool (supposedly) to wind the calipers back in so you can change the pads...but I think it can be done without with fiddling, but when mine were done we had a tool.

R

[Benmk]

Speak to Roland at gtt, he does some great stuff if you want an upgrade that isnt too expensive.

4mm to me sounds like you still have a little bit of life left and although they need changing you shouldnt worry yourself to much at the moment. Obviously it depends how hard you drive ad brake. In previous experience i have found garages and dealerships tend to say that the pads need changing before it really needs it (sort of covering themselves i suppose).

(Honda once told me that our civic's pads needed doing and when we took the wheels off they had approx 75% remaining!!)

Best way to check is by taking of the wheel and doing a visual check. The pad new will have around 10mm of pad on the back plate so you could wear them down to 2mm or there abouts without any problems.

I just changed the pads on a cooper and there was approx 2.5 mm left and the light had not come on yet.

It is a simple job but remember to bed the breaks in (especially if changing discs as well) before you really push the braking of the car.

Hope that helps

Ben

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by Benmk (original)

Best way to check is by taking of the wheel and doing a visual check. The pad new will have around 10mm of pad on the back plate so you could wear them down to 2mm or there abouts without any problems.

Ben

Hi,

Just be aware that the inner pad on the mini tends to wear more than the outer pad, and that can only be checked with the wheel off

Cheers

Robbo

[minisoopercooper]

I just changed my fronts for the first time at 36K. It is an easy job to do but would say you need the 7mm allen key (special size just for brake calipers) as it makes it that much easier. Luckily these are only about £3.50 from good car shops.

I would also recommend that you do it in the not too distant future as once the warning light comes on you have to replace the wire - that can only be bought from MINI and does add to the cost - not a huge amount but save yourself the hassle as it's a bit fiddly and requires taking the inner wheel arch off at 1 clip to replace it.

This is a very useful guide - but IMHO makes it llok harder than it is - but non the less a very useful set of notes if you get stuck

North American Motoring - View Single Post - Detailed Writeup on Changing Brake Pads-Beginners!

[Mull3t]

Thanks Alot for your help.

It was just the front L & R Brake pads, so at the weekend gonna have a look first see how much is letf

[GTT 280]

I had ceramic pads fitted for track use, they are superb, and are virtually dust free too, compared to my previous fast road pads.

Not cheap though, I think about £150 min.

Cheers,
K.

[roland2003]

Ceramics for stock discs/ calipers are not the best choice IMO. Ceramics work very well on your (very big) setup Karl. Your pads are over twice the size of stock too.
Best Regards Roland GTT

[Cobby Park Lane]

Roland,

What would you recomend as a good set u for a standard cooper?? im still finding alot of fade with the OEM ones...... and ive lost fath with EBC after having them on my astra.

What can you recomend?

cheers

Neil

[roland2003]

Hi Neil, we do an entry level Kevlar pad, available on its own but TBH its worth changing the Discs to GTT Spiroslot at the same time as the compound of the disc material+ the decent deglazing effect of the groove profile (ie square edged) makes for even better braking . Price £129+vat fot the grooved discs, pads & Dot 5.1 fluid.
Best Regards Roland GTT.

[Cobby Park Lane]

Thanks roland, that sound like the best option!

is it worth doing the rear at the same time? if so do you do a similar kit for the rear?

Cheers

Neil