[ald17]

I see a lot of r53 mcs owners upgrading to r56 front brakes, is it just the calipers and brake lines needed or do you also need new discs.

 

[NigelStap]

You need replacement calipers, carriers, lines, discs and pads for the R56 Cooper S conversion.

I bought the calipers, carriers and lines new as a kit from Mod-A-Mini for £215. Head over to their website for a look, for information if nothing else.

R53 to R56 Brake Conversion | Mod A Mini

The R56 Brake conversion is a great and affordable way to get a lot more stopping power without braking the bank. We will supply everything required to perform the conversion yourself, or get it done by a local professional. We have many different options available so please message us if you...

www.modamini.co.uk

You then need to source new discs and pads which I did for a further £140 including discs and pads for the rear as well.

 

[ald17]

Thanks for the reply, so its a pretty pricey upgrade then.
Has anyone tried drilled and grooved discs with ebc yellows as these would be half the price of the r56 upgrade. Brakes seem fine upto and around 75mph but when braking from more than that their useless.

 

[k3fus]

Pricey.....gosh no, that’s a decent price for what you get.

 

[ald17]

I can get drilled and vented discs for between £50 to £100 for brembo and £70 for yellows. I am assuming that the reason for the poor high speed braking is because the kinetic energy generated has no where to dissipate so you have to overcome this by either using more force ie-bigger piston force or allowing the energy to pass through the discs ie- drilled discs.

 

[NigelK]

Have a look at this explanation of the R56 S upgrade that I posted over 2 years ago. I have it fitted. Love it. Have done 2 x track days, no fade. Mine's a road use car i track occaissionaly. The mod-a-Mini is the one evryone on the R53 Owners Club goes for. It is a decent price.

R53 Front Brakes Upgrade ? ?Big Brake? Options

R53 Front Brakes Upgrade – ‘Big Brake’ Options Don’t know if anyone is interested on here, but I have set about this on my 2005 R53, so here it is. Long one I’m afraid. Introduction This is an attempt to help those who want to upgrade their Gen 1 front brakes to the more effective Gen 2 front...

www.mini2.com

 

[NigelStap]

I can get drilled and vented discs for between £50 to £100 for brembo and £70 for yellows. I am assuming that the reason for the poor high speed braking is because the kinetic energy generated has no where to dissipate so you have to overcome this by either using more force ie-bigger piston force or allowing the energy to pass through the discs ie- drilled discs.

No. The main problem is the standard R53 discs and caliper pistons are too small. Brakes are all about leverage (disc size) and force (piston size). No amount of grooves or holes will make up for lack of either.

 

[ald17]

Probably best to go with the r56 ones then, so I gather I need calipers,discs, pads, carriers, brake lines

 

[NigelStap]

Probably best to go with the r56 ones then, so I gather I need calipers,discs, pads, carriers, brake lines

Take a look on the link to Mod A Mini that I posted earlier in the thread. All you will need extra is the front discs and pads. I chose to buy new discs and pads for the rear.

 

[ald17]

£215 seems pretty dear for just the calipers, carriers and braided lines.
I will go with the upgrade but I can source my own calipers and carriers for £100 and the braided lines are £45 so saving £70.

 

[NigelStap]

You can do that but would be recommended to refurb the calipers. Your money, your choice.

 

[Tgmocatku]

No. The main problem is the standard R53 discs and caliper pistons are too small. Brakes are all about leverage (disc size) and force (piston size). No amount of grooves or holes will make up for lack of either.

The holes help to dissipate heat.

 

[ald17]

I have only ever heard that drilled brakes are just for show,
Vented discs do a much better job at cooling due to air being passed over the whole surface continuously where as all drilled brakes do is remove surface area for the pads to work effectively reducing braking performance.

 

[ald17]

I have only ever heard that drilled brakes are just for show,
Vented discs do a much better job at cooling due to air being passed over the whole surface continuously where as all drilled brakes do is remove surface area for the pads to work effectively reducing braking performance.

 

[k3fus]

The holes help to dissipate heat.

Most holes introduce cracks so I’d avoid, any cooling benefits are minimal, if at all.

 

[NigelStap]

Price reduction at Mod A Mini: Now £200.00 for the R56 calipers, carriers and brake lines. Chuck in discs and pads for about £100.00 and you will have a good improvement over the standard set up for a good price.

Keep your old calipers, carriers and lines to refit if you sell so you can sell on the R56 kit for someone else to use as an upgrade.