Upgrading brakes
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
Joined
·
2,212 Posts
I used to find this on the Gen2 MCS compared with the JCW.
It might be worth doing a bit of research in to changing discs to grooved and different pads?
A friend did this on his Gen1 GP and it made a big difference, also braided hoses and different fluid!
It might be worth doing a bit of research in to changing discs to grooved and different pads?
A friend did this on his Gen1 GP and it made a big difference, also braided hoses and different fluid!
First off change the discs pads and fluid.
If this isn't enough for you then upgrading the calipers is next.
Aftermarket wheels will be beneficial not only to clear big brakes but you can get a decent offset then. Team dynamics are good but apparently "over done"
I'll let you be the judge
If this isn't enough for you then upgrading the calipers is next.
Aftermarket wheels will be beneficial not only to clear big brakes but you can get a decent offset then. Team dynamics are good but apparently "over done"
I'll let you be the judge
Joined
·
152 Posts
Joined
·
8,918 Posts
Pads,then discs then braded lines as per Dave, softer pads will give more initial bite race pads fade less when hot but take some warming and arent that good on the road. Decide what you're really after and if all else fails jcw brembo callipers and discs or serious after market kit from specialists eg alcon might help?
JCW Brakes well worth it and inspire confidence.... The feel you get from the pedal is night and day compared to the std. brakes...
Yes, you need to factor in wheels (or use spacers) but if you manage to get a used set of JCW wheels and sell your current wheels then the cost will be negligable
Yes, you need to factor in wheels (or use spacers) but if you manage to get a used set of JCW wheels and sell your current wheels then the cost will be negligable
Joined
·
152 Posts
Maybe JCW brakes on a standard car feels different from how they feel on JCW ...
When I tested MCS and JCW back to back brakes was not thing of note
My day understanding with brakes is that the higherend brakes is that that can take the abuse without fade for example when u trashing it at the track ...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When I tested MCS and JCW back to back brakes was not thing of note
My day understanding with brakes is that the higherend brakes is that that can take the abuse without fade for example when u trashing it at the track ...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Joined
·
1,243 Posts
Testing new cars back to back won't give you a very good idea. Neither is impressive until they're broken/bedded in properly. Whatever you go with I definitely recommend stainless braided lines on all four corners. They will help reduce any soft spongy feel.Maybe JCW brakes on a standard car feels different from how they feel on JCW ...
When I tested MCS and JCW back to back brakes was not thing of note
My day understanding with brakes is that the higherend brakes is that that can take the abuse without fade for example when u trashing it at the track ...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Joined
·
152 Posts
Demo cars are not new they have lot of mileage
This whole brake upgrade for none racing drivers is really just something you do to make yourself feel better...its not a functional upgrade ...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Joined
·
1,243 Posts
"Originally Posted by vetsvette View Post
Testing new cars back to back won't give you a very good idea. Neither is impressive until they're broken/bedded in properly. "
Emphasis on the work properly.
Also after reading your last sentence, it's obvious you've never been on the Dragon, or the roads in that area.
Joined
·
152 Posts
If you think the factory mini brakes are very good you haven't driven enough other cars
After I upgraded my r53, it out braked a 911 on track, with the help of some warm Ad08R, super blue fluid, ss lines, track pads, coilovers etc
It need upgrades at 240 bhp, more so when adding another 45hp on top of that
My F56 SD will never see a track or be driven as hard, but having experienced awesome stoppers it's tricky to settle for second best this time around
We all buy cars capable of far More performance than you can reasonably fully exploit on the road, otherwise their wouldn't be a need for anything more than a mini one
After I upgraded my r53, it out braked a 911 on track, with the help of some warm Ad08R, super blue fluid, ss lines, track pads, coilovers etc
It need upgrades at 240 bhp, more so when adding another 45hp on top of that
My F56 SD will never see a track or be driven as hard, but having experienced awesome stoppers it's tricky to settle for second best this time around
We all buy cars capable of far More performance than you can reasonably fully exploit on the road, otherwise their wouldn't be a need for anything more than a mini one
Attachments
Joined
·
8,918 Posts
Mmmm not 100% convinced; like many on here i find i can quite easily lock my brakes if i brake hard-for me since i am not on a race track, that is enough-and feel for me is as good as any car i have had-yes different cars have different sensitivities but if you can trigger the abs ie lock the brakes then there's enough stopping power per se. HOWEVER if you then increase the grip eg sticky race tyres, and add more power then of course it's worth an upgrade as you might get to the point when grip exceeds braking capacity.
HOWEVER if we are talking brake fade after repeated application of hard braking eg on a track or unusually VERY hard road driving , then fair does-i agree the brakes may need an upgrade-hence my question. i've not yet achieved fade in my mini BUT you might on a long down hill run with numerous bends etc. I fully accept that doing this hard fast road driving regularly might need a brake upgrade.
If the first case arrives then there isnt a need for more braking power-BUT some eg the op may not like the feel ie the brakes dont feel sensitive enough eg after driving other cars-Citroen in the past were notoriously over assisted for eg. then it's a case of spend lots or get used to it! Just for feel-i find i get used to it (our f series brakes are much sharper than our r series roadster s!).
HOWEVER if we are talking brake fade after repeated application of hard braking eg on a track or unusually VERY hard road driving , then fair does-i agree the brakes may need an upgrade-hence my question. i've not yet achieved fade in my mini BUT you might on a long down hill run with numerous bends etc. I fully accept that doing this hard fast road driving regularly might need a brake upgrade.
If the first case arrives then there isnt a need for more braking power-BUT some eg the op may not like the feel ie the brakes dont feel sensitive enough eg after driving other cars-Citroen in the past were notoriously over assisted for eg. then it's a case of spend lots or get used to it! Just for feel-i find i get used to it (our f series brakes are much sharper than our r series roadster s!).
The braking power on the std. brakes are just fine and I never had a problem on the road with the actual stopping power itself...
What the std, brakes lack in my opinion is brake feel and the ability on a fast drive to apply the correct amount of braking force for any given situation... Upgraded brakes (if good ones) will give you a lot more confidence in applying the correct braking force whilst stopping at higher speeds rather than the abrupt near on/off effect of the std. brakes.
I guess a good analogy is similar to the throttle response when in Mid mode compared to Sport where the pedal has an abrupt feel when only pressing the pedal a short distance compared to the more longer travel in mid mode. Some may feel this is desirable for some but I personally like a bit more control (subjective perhaps) whilst I'm using my controls for throttle and brake.
I feel with the JCW brakes I have much more braking pedal travel (from intial slight braking to emergency stop) to work with to slow the car down. I hope that makes sense....
What the std, brakes lack in my opinion is brake feel and the ability on a fast drive to apply the correct amount of braking force for any given situation... Upgraded brakes (if good ones) will give you a lot more confidence in applying the correct braking force whilst stopping at higher speeds rather than the abrupt near on/off effect of the std. brakes.
I guess a good analogy is similar to the throttle response when in Mid mode compared to Sport where the pedal has an abrupt feel when only pressing the pedal a short distance compared to the more longer travel in mid mode. Some may feel this is desirable for some but I personally like a bit more control (subjective perhaps) whilst I'm using my controls for throttle and brake.
I feel with the JCW brakes I have much more braking pedal travel (from intial slight braking to emergency stop) to work with to slow the car down. I hope that makes sense....
Joined
·
8,918 Posts
Yes thank you i see where you're coming from Sooty-hadn't noticed myself as yet but it is early days in the s!
Where and how you drive is the critical factor here. I tend to push the mini hard even when driving locally, on roads like the Tail of the Dragon, The Snake, et. al. there is only one way to drive them for me and that is hard. These are technical roads with more twisties than any track I have ever driven and I notice fade in my JCW Brembros after a while on these roads, maybe the GP Brembros would be more suitable for my use. I have friends with JCWs that never really push them and they would be fine with the standard S brakes and I have friends with Ss that drive as hard as I do with the JCW and most of them end up highly modifying them as they enjoy that part of it as much as driving. That's the real beauty of the mini, you make it your own. These little beasts aren't the perfect car, but they are the perfect car for some of us. The mini isn't my favorite car, but it is my favorite performing car.
Joined
·
73 Posts
Definitely following this thread. The brakes are hopeless. I mean, they do eventually stop the car, but they lack any feel, don't inspire confidence, and IMO high speed stability is a serious issue.
I'm really new to this, so I don't know what pads/fluid would you recommend? Does replacing this stuff have any bearing on warranty?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm really new to this, so I don't know what pads/fluid would you recommend? Does replacing this stuff have any bearing on warranty?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This is a difficult question to answer. A great deal of it would be your dealer, some will try to minimize their costs and not honor any modifications that might impact the warranty and others would be fine with modifications. Are you going to do the modifications yourself or have the dealer perform the work? If you upgrade your existing brakes with either the JCW 4 piston bembro brakes or the GP 6 piston bembro brakes and have the dealer perform the work or an authorized BMW service center it should not affect your warranty, but check with your dealer to be absolutely sure.
Joined
·
152 Posts
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
