MINI2

DropTopCoop · Jun 15th, 2007, 01:16 PM

This car has been pretty good to us but I'm very disappointed how Mini "cheaped out" on the rotors and pads I replaced the fronts pads around 18k the rotors just got replaced at 25k and now the rear pads/rotors are making a horrible squealing sound. The mini dealer wont replace them b/c they are still in spec and he told me its normal for the rotors to only last 20-25k

am I missing something here I'm used to getting 80-100k out of a set of rotors.

Anyway can anyone tell me where I can find some aftermarket blanks like Brembos or something? All I can find are the front rotors, and I don't need slotted/drilled rotors just plain ol' rotors something better quality than OEMs though.

snid · Jun 15th, 2007, 02:11 PM

Since you're in the US, check out The Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels

The ATE rotors look like a good buy.

Also, your local NAPA will have "generic" rotors for the MINI that are actually made by Brembo.

SPClark · Nov 7th, 2007, 10:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DropTopCoop (original)

...I replaced the fronts pads around 18k the rotors just got replaced at 25k and now the rear pads/rotors are making a horrible squealing sound. The mini dealer wont replace them b/c they are still in spec and he told me its normal for the rotors to only last 20-25k

am I missing something here I'm used to getting 80-100k out of a set of rotors.

I know what you mean!

The exact same thing happened to me with my R53 back in 2004, 18 months after I took delivery. The rears went first, costing me over US $500 to have replaced at the dealer.

When the fronts went later that year I fitted after-market rotors (slotted) on all four wheels with Green Stuf pads for about the same price. I drove those brakes for another 100K+ miles so I considered them a good investment.

They were pretty well shot at 133K when I finally sold that MINI. I just today bought a set of EBC rotors & Green Stuff pads for my R56 as I have 16K+ on as of today.

If yours only lasted 18K I 'spect mine aren't too far behind thought they didn't look all that bad (maybe 5mm pad left front & rear) when I mounted up my winter rims & tires a month ago.

Richard Crofts · Nov 8th, 2007, 11:19 AM

Yes its normal for them to last only 20k on stock brakes with an S. I run the JCW brakes now and they have done a little better but I still expect to have to change them at around the 30-35k mark.

Mess · Nov 8th, 2007, 11:22 AM

I had the same problem.

i had to replace my discs and pads at 18K miles and my car was only 16months old.
i was slighly annoyed to say the least.

ive now put some green stuff pads on and some grooved discs and all is good on normal road driving, however if the green stuff pads get some punishment on the old country roads they seem to fade alot.

MINIdriver85 · Nov 8th, 2007, 11:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SPClark (original)

I just today bought a set of EBC rotors & Green Stuff pads for my R56 as I have 16K+ on as of today.

whre did you find eBC rotors and pads for R56?

DaFlake · Nov 8th, 2007, 12:15 PM

Got over 36000 miles on mine and they are still stock. Are you sure that you guys are not riding the brakes to get such low mileage out of them?

SPClark · Nov 8th, 2007, 02:36 PM

The upgrade pads & rotors may have moved the problem from the brakes to the hoses & fluid. If you do a lot of hard braking, the stock hoses swell some & the brake fluid used is prone to boiling in the caliper which adds to the feeling of brake fade. Often it's recommended to upgrade to new hoses and better fluid in the brake system when upgrading to better rotors & pads.

SPClark · Nov 8th, 2007, 02:40 PM

That could be your driving style! Seriously though, I don't ride the brake at all. With a clutch, there's no possibility to have my left foot on the brake & most of the time my gas pedal foot is well below the level of the brake pedal.

That the rears wore out first may have been a flaw in the proportioning valve in combination with undersized front brakes on the early R53's.

Once I moved to better rotors and GreenStuff pads on my 9-02 build R53 the braking performance improved markedly, disc dusting dropped amazingly and the pads & rotors held up until I sold that MINI about US 111,000 miles later.

SPClark · Nov 8th, 2007, 02:45 PM

US vendors (in California I think):

Discount Car Parts - Import Auto Parts - Replacement Auto Parts - BMW Parts, Jaguar Parts, Toyota Parts, Nissan Parts, Honda Parts, Mercedes Parts, Porsche Parts, Saab Parts, Volvo Parts, VW Parts & Discount Car Parts Stuff - Car Accessories & Truck Accessories - Cheap Auto Parts - Car Cover - Floor Mats - Cargo Liner

I bought the pads first, then decided to buy the rotors a short time later. Both of the e-mailed receipts look to be identically formatted so these two vendors may actually be the same company. Other vendors I looked at had both products but at slightly higher prices.

I have no idea whether these items can be exported to Italy without excessive duties being due at your end; best to call / e-mail & ask about the export option.

MINIdriver85 · Nov 8th, 2007, 06:01 PM

Thanks, i was just curious, I actually have a gen.1 mini so I don't need them but I hadn't seen them yet on the sites I had visited so I was wondering where you ahd found them, lol.

SPClark · Nov 8th, 2007, 09:27 PM

There ought to be a multitude of sources for rotors & pads for R53's they've been around for waaayyy long enough by now! I had a COoper for 6 months back in 2002, ordered by S in July & took delivery that October. Just sold it last September after 133,000 miles under the wheels.

New R56 has just over US 16,000 on it as of today, all since last April 12th.

Happy Motoring to you!

faster,Tobias! · Nov 8th, 2007, 09:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DropTopCoop (original)

....25k and now the rear pads/rotors are making a horrible squealing sound.....

Even if the brakes are in great shape you can also get a horrible screech if the rotors have become 'glazed'. It is caused by a lot of driving were you are slowly rolling to a stop, and it is cured by a good, hard stop from about 60 kph ( about 40 mph). Just make sure there is no one behind you when you try it !

MINIdriver85 · Nov 9th, 2007, 06:09 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SPClark (original)

There ought to be a multitude of sources for rotors & pads for R53's they've been around for waaayyy long enough by now! I had a COoper for 6 months back in 2002, ordered by S in July & took delivery that October. Just sold it last September after 133,000 miles under the wheels.

New R56 has just over US 16,000 on it as of today, all since last April 12th.

Happy Motoring to you!

yeah, I know there are lots of possibilities for gen 1, I've just ordered Ferodo pads and Brembo rotors

But I was curious what was out for R56 and had not found news, so I got surprised when you wrote you had bought EBC pads and rotors

Jun 15th, 2007, 01:16 PM	#1
DropTopCoop MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 11:06 PM Posts: 31 Offline	I need new rotors/pads already This car has been pretty good to us but I'm very disappointed how Mini "cheaped out" on the rotors and pads I replaced the fronts pads around 18k the rotors just got replaced at 25k and now the rear pads/rotors are making a horrible squealing sound. The mini dealer wont replace them b/c they are still in spec and he told me its normal for the rotors to only last 20-25k am I missing something here I'm used to getting 80-100k out of a set of rotors. Anyway can anyone tell me where I can find some aftermarket blanks like Brembos or something? All I can find are the front rotors, and I don't need slotted/drilled rotors just plain ol' rotors something better quality than OEMs though.

Jun 15th, 2007, 02:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
snid brown is back Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Local Time: 11:06 PM Posts: 4,216 Offline	Since you're in the US, check out The Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels The ATE rotors look like a good buy. Also, your local NAPA will have "generic" rotors for the MINI that are actually made by Brembo. jtross \| snid \| jason - bloggage (including videos)

Nov 7th, 2007, 10:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
SPClark MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: near Chicago, Illino Local Time: 10:06 PM Posts: 204 Offline	18K? On an R56? Quote: Originally Posted by DropTopCoop (original) ...I replaced the fronts pads around 18k the rotors just got replaced at 25k and now the rear pads/rotors are making a horrible squealing sound. The mini dealer wont replace them b/c they are still in spec and he told me its normal for the rotors to only last 20-25k am I missing something here I'm used to getting 80-100k out of a set of rotors. I know what you mean! The exact same thing happened to me with my R53 back in 2004, 18 months after I took delivery. The rears went first, costing me over US $500 to have replaced at the dealer. When the fronts went later that year I fitted after-market rotors (slotted) on all four wheels with Green Stuf pads for about the same price. I drove those brakes for another 100K+ miles so I considered them a good investment. They were pretty well shot at 133K when I finally sold that MINI. I just today bought a set of EBC rotors & Green Stuff pads for my R56 as I have 16K+ on as of today. If yours only lasted 18K I 'spect mine aren't too far behind thought they didn't look all that bad (maybe 5mm pad left front & rear) when I mounted up my winter rims & tires a month ago.

Nov 8th, 2007, 12:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 11:06 PM Posts: 10,417 Offline	Got over 36000 miles on mine and they are still stock. Are you sure that you guys are not riding the brakes to get such low mileage out of them? Global Moderator

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Nov 8th, 2007, 11:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Richard Crofts THE STICK Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Worcestershire WR15 Local Time: 04:06 AM Posts: 2,993 Offline	Yes its normal for them to last only 20k on stock brakes with an S. I run the JCW brakes now and they have done a little better but I still expect to have to change them at around the 30-35k mark.

Nov 8th, 2007, 11:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mess Go Go Gadget Mini Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Local Time: 04:06 AM Posts: 644 Offline	I had the same problem. i had to replace my discs and pads at 18K miles and my car was only 16months old. i was slighly annoyed to say the least. ive now put some green stuff pads on and some grooved discs and all is good on normal road driving, however if the green stuff pads get some punishment on the old country roads they seem to fade alot.

Nov 8th, 2007, 11:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
MINIdriver85 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 05:06 AM Posts: 245 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by SPClark (original) I just today bought a set of EBC rotors & Green Stuff pads for my R56 as I have 16K+ on as of today. whre did you find eBC rotors and pads for R56?

Nov 8th, 2007, 02:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
SPClark MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: near Chicago, Illino Local Time: 10:06 PM Posts: 204 Offline	The upgrade pads & rotors may have moved the problem from the brakes to the hoses & fluid. If you do a lot of hard braking, the stock hoses swell some & the brake fluid used is prone to boiling in the caliper which adds to the feeling of brake fade. Often it's recommended to upgrade to new hoses and better fluid in the brake system when upgrading to better rotors & pads.

Nov 8th, 2007, 02:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
SPClark MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: near Chicago, Illino Local Time: 10:06 PM Posts: 204 Offline	That could be your driving style! Seriously though, I don't ride the brake at all. With a clutch, there's no possibility to have my left foot on the brake & most of the time my gas pedal foot is well below the level of the brake pedal. That the rears wore out first may have been a flaw in the proportioning valve in combination with undersized front brakes on the early R53's. Once I moved to better rotors and GreenStuff pads on my 9-02 build R53 the braking performance improved markedly, disc dusting dropped amazingly and the pads & rotors held up until I sold that MINI about US 111,000 miles later.

Nov 8th, 2007, 02:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
SPClark MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: near Chicago, Illino Local Time: 10:06 PM Posts: 204 Offline	US vendors (in California I think): Discount Car Parts - Import Auto Parts - Replacement Auto Parts - BMW Parts, Jaguar Parts, Toyota Parts, Nissan Parts, Honda Parts, Mercedes Parts, Porsche Parts, Saab Parts, Volvo Parts, VW Parts & Discount Car Parts Stuff - Car Accessories & Truck Accessories - Cheap Auto Parts - Car Cover - Floor Mats - Cargo Liner I bought the pads first, then decided to buy the rotors a short time later. Both of the e-mailed receipts look to be identically formatted so these two vendors may actually be the same company. Other vendors I looked at had both products but at slightly higher prices. I have no idea whether these items can be exported to Italy without excessive duties being due at your end; best to call / e-mail & ask about the export option.

Nov 8th, 2007, 06:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
MINIdriver85 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 05:06 AM Posts: 245 Offline	Thanks, i was just curious, I actually have a gen.1 mini so I don't need them but I hadn't seen them yet on the sites I had visited so I was wondering where you ahd found them, lol.

Nov 8th, 2007, 09:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
SPClark MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: near Chicago, Illino Local Time: 10:06 PM Posts: 204 Offline	There ought to be a multitude of sources for rotors & pads for R53's they've been around for waaayyy long enough by now! I had a COoper for 6 months back in 2002, ordered by S in July & took delivery that October. Just sold it last September after 133,000 miles under the wheels. New R56 has just over US 16,000 on it as of today, all since last April 12th. Happy Motoring to you!

Nov 8th, 2007, 09:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
faster,Tobias! Fanatically Enthiusiastic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta Local Time: 09:06 PM Posts: 1,150 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by DropTopCoop (original) ....25k and now the rear pads/rotors are making a horrible squealing sound..... Even if the brakes are in great shape you can also get a horrible screech if the rotors have become 'glazed'. It is caused by a lot of driving were you are slowly rolling to a stop, and it is cured by a good, hard stop from about 60 kph ( about 40 mph). Just make sure there is no one behind you when you try it !

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Nov 9th, 2007, 06:09 AM	#14 (permalink)
MINIdriver85 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 05:06 AM Posts: 245 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by SPClark (original) There ought to be a multitude of sources for rotors & pads for R53's they've been around for waaayyy long enough by now! I had a COoper for 6 months back in 2002, ordered by S in July & took delivery that October. Just sold it last September after 133,000 miles under the wheels. New R56 has just over US 16,000 on it as of today, all since last April 12th. Happy Motoring to you! yeah, I know there are lots of possibilities for gen 1, I've just ordered Ferodo pads and Brembo rotors But I was curious what was out for R56 and had not found news, so I got surprised when you wrote you had bought EBC pads and rotors