donemcclure Posted November 3 Report Posted November 3 Hey all. I have my first mini, 2020 F56 JCW, with just over 23k miles. My brake pad replacement notification came on driving home from Luray after the club ride. I reached out to a local shop to ask about replacing pads and rotors, as I have heard/read that is usually a good time to upgrade. However the shop (not a dealership) doesn't recommend slotted/drilled rotors and the cost to swap all rotors and pads is $1500 for OEM style rotors and EBC yellow stuff pads. So my question is: What's the advantage/disadvantage of slotted/drilled rotors and should I "upgrade" if they aren't recommended? Will the yellow stuff and stock rotors give me improved braking? Any advice would be great as I will need to get the work done in the next week. Thanks!
1975_mini Posted November 4 Report Posted November 4 Don, Sorry I missed you message on this I will reply here for others to see also. The follow comments are the opinion of Corey and that and a buck will get you a small coffee. So take them as you wish. As for rotors, drilled and slotted look cool, but will wear you pads faster and provide on gains for road driving. There are quality aftermarket plan smooth rotors that are equal or better quality to OEM with a slight cost savings. As for pads EBC and Hawk are both high quality aftermarket options. For EBS yellow stuff is likely overkill. Red stuff has less brake dust and will exceed you current brake grip, and provide all you need. As for Hawk HPS would be a suitable pad. I will shoot you a private message about pricing. 1 1975 Mini 1000, 998cc A+ w/ K&N air filter, 10" Mamba wheels
donemcclure Posted November 5 Author Report Posted November 5 Thanks for the advice. I haven't ever felt like I didn't have enough stopping power with the stock rotors/pads, but I do understand that sometimes its not about lacking a capability but adding to capability you already have. Most of my driving is around DC and club rides, but if there are some opportunities to get on the track next year I would love to give it a shot without having to spend a ton of money the next day to fix parts. Assuming that my stock rotors are decent (only 24k mi) and they don't need replacing until the next pad change, than I would rather just replace the pads and invest in a rear sway bar and links. So I'm really just trying to figure out where it makes the most sense to invest dollars to get the best performance gains based on my driving. Much to learn. If you have advice on things to read/watch to learn more please let me know. Appreciate the assist.
1975_mini Posted November 5 Report Posted November 5 At 24k, your rotors are mostly likely fine. Most shops never recommend pads only, but I have done it many times on vehicles including MINIs I have owned. This install is very easy, and can be done in an hour in a driveway. You will also have to replace the sensor that went off as it wore through the copper wire, or there are other ways to fix that. Lots of quality video on youtube to due this service. A rear sway bar will improve rotation, and has the added advantage of not effecting ride quality as your MINI is your daily. Links likely are not necessary as you are not adjusting the ride height with coilovers. Rear sway bars are good bang for the buck at around $300 for the part. Where they create cost is if you are not doing the install yourself. With the design of the MINI suspension the sway bar is between the subframe and the unibody, unlike many designs where they are attached to the bottom and easily removed with only a few bolts. With a mini you will need to partially drop the subframe to allow space to walk the old one out and the new in. It is not a hard project, but really you need a garage and life is easier with a lift. Young me has done them in a driveway on jack stands, and I am personally to old for that now. Additionally, you will need an alignment as you moved the subframe. So providing you do your own labor and only buying the sway bar, and an alignment it is likely around $500. Having a shop do it I would guess around $1000 all in. 1 1975 Mini 1000, 998cc A+ w/ K&N air filter, 10" Mamba wheels
donemcclure Posted November 7 Author Report Posted November 7 Since I'm in an apartment in DC, and can't find a base with an open auto hobby shop, I will most likely have to pay for all my work. Which makes timing things to save on labor as much a factor as anything. Is there anything else worth doing along with the rear sway bar while they have it pulled apart?
