Brakes

I had already been running Mintex Red Box brake pads and really liked them. Considerably less brake dust mess and a slightly better bite than stock pads, as well as more resistance to fade. The only thing is the rear pad design doesn't support the rear brake wear sensor that started with 2003 Coopers. This is no big deal. I have just tied off the rear sensor and routine inspection prevents extreme pad wear from going unnoticed.

I got these Zimmerman rotors from DRT Design Rotor Technology, who do the cross-drilling, gas slotting and zinc plating. After bedding in the new pads, these rotors make for much greater stopping power under heavy braking. Brake fade is no longer an issue (after all, this is a street car, albeit driven "spiritedly"). I was also pleasantly surprised with better wet weather braking. No more "pumping" the brakes required to dry the brake surfaces.

I put these Tyrolsport bronze brake caliper bushings in the first time I installed Mintex Red Box brake pads. These things are great and really firm up brake pedal feel. The Mini Cooper comes with BMW floating disc brake calipers (made by ATE) and use rubber bushings. While the rubber bushings are maintainence-free, they also contribute a mushy feel under heavy braking as the rubber bushing distorts under increased load. Replaced with the Tyrolsport bronze bushings, brake pedal feel under any load is positive and solid. In addition, caliper (and thus brake pad) geometry is maintained at all times for even pad and rotor wear. Maintenance is not an issue. While they do need periodic check up and lubrication, this can be done when changing pads, or any time you have the calipers off. However, the calipers need not be removed to lube the guide pins or inside of the bushings.