Standard Brakes-they're threatening

[roland2003]

Hi Guys, a quick report on the stock R56 brakes. Although miles better than the R53 brakes with good bite, I'm now getting to the point where the're starting to over heat and the fluid starting to boil. Not complete failure, but if I continued the pedal would end up going to the floor for sure.Worrying thing is this is during a spirted drive on a B road ,not standing on the brakes at 120mph five times in a row. No way would I do a track day on these......
Best Regards Roland GTT

[Benny No.1]

Whats our choices then Roland?

[medilloni]

So what do you reckon for a general upgrade without breaking the bank Roland?

For example, the minimum required for fast road/track day 5-laps at a time? would something as simple as decent pads do it in your opinion? I'd hate to start thinking about changing discs whilst under warranty.

A bit like your exhaust, I'm looking for stealth improvements at the mo

[GTT 280]

...with brakes, bigger definitely means better. This really is a classic case of "you get what you pay for".

It's all about heat dissipation and the ability to grip the rotor to stop it. It's never going to be good with a small disc (in width and diameter).

I initially went with the AP 4pot kit (c. £700) but this failed miserably on track and was not that good on road either.

The only brake kit the I have seen work as good as it looks is this one...



Not within everyone's budget, so there are intermediate solutions too. But then look at me spending money on the AP system that could have been put towards just going for the 341mm kit in the first place !!!

Cheers,
K.

[SPClark]

Been wondering what the aftermarket has ready for us R56'ers, brake-wise.

I've just over US 5K miles on mine, so far the only annoyance is the DUST the OEM bits throw off. No track time in my future, but panic stops can be an 'any day now' event.

With my '03 S (currently for sale) I went with Speed Disk slotted rotors and GreenStuff pads on all 4's after about 40K as spending US $1,200 for a full brake replacement seemed out of line. The rears needed changing (pads & discs, NOT covered under warranty either!) at just over 22K so I decided with the need up front to go after-market. They're still on that MINI, some 90K miles later, with about 2 mm pad material on all points but the rotors are almost down to the bottom of the slots so I'm guessing they're due for replacement.

Nothing yet appears to be available over here for those who want to improve the OEM bits for "engaged" street use, at least that I've been able to discover....

[Benny No.1]

What does the JCW brake upgrade Involve?

[roland2003]

Hi Guys, we will be producing GTT 'Spiroslot' grooved replacement rotors for the R56 MCS as soon as we can source castings. Padswise, -Im looking into that too.
Oh and our GTT/Porshe Big Brake kit (R53) should go straight on the R56
Best Regards Roland GTT

[ZZTOP]

For budget concious owners looking for race proven brakes for MCS R53 will also fit R56??, check this site out. The disks are made in South Africa but not sure where pads come from.

I also have a brake fade problem on track days so I am going to fit a set. They maintain the use of the standard calipers.

You can buy the new disks and calipers for about R 3200 which is roughly 230 UK pounds.

Powerbrake - High Performance Brake Discs / Rotors

Check out the "die hard" section. They probably can DHL to the UK???

[Paul]

"Die Hard" Is that a good thing?!

[danb]

Quote: Originally Posted by roland2003 (original)

Oh and our GTT/Porshe Big Brake kit (R53) should go straight on the R56

Does this mean all R53 brake kits should fit the R56? E.g. JCW?

Not that I would buy the JCW ones, just interested

[ZZTOP]

They should have rather called them "Terminator"

[Bhozar]

I thought the front R56 brakes were the old JCW brakes, or are they just the same manufacturer?

[FergusM]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bhozar (original)

I thought the front R56 brakes were the old JCW brakes, or are they just the same manufacturer?

I believe they (on the MCS) are the same diameter as the older JCW's ones... but not groved. If you go for the JCW ones on the R56 I believ you get nice red caliper (but not any different) and grooved discs.