Brake pads for an R53 JCW

[Justin S]

Having now had a decent look round our new car and driven it, I need some replacement brake pads. They are quite low on the front. The discs are really sound and have hardly any wear on them at all. So I need some pads only and feel they need more bite to be honest. Considering Mintex 1144's rather than standards. Which ones do I need for the JCW cars, I am looking at conflicting info on the calipers and disc sizes etc. They are not the Brembo upgrades on mine but the cast standard calipers.If not the Mintex, any other recommendations..................not EBC, had horror times with those in the past............

[Justin S]

Well I have bought some new pads and although the brake sensor hasnt been activated, can I reuse this for the new pads, or do I need to buy a new one?

[craigtf]

Yes you can reuse them if not activated

[Justin S]

Cheers mate, thats great.I just wiggle it out the pad I suppose...........

[RKDE]

yes just wiggle out 9 out of 10 times they crumble as you try and remove them.

Generally mintex pads on the ones to go for, I seam to recall not all after market pads have the notch for the pad sensor

[Slashmb]

On the brakes theme can anyone tell me if I need a special tool to push in the rear calipers on an R56 Cooper S when I change the pads.

Also, how difficult is it to change the brake fluid yourself? I have a pressured kit that uses air from a tyre but never used it. I did used to do it the 2 man way years ago but hated it.

Thanks

[RKDE]

To change all the coolant you need to ideally put the ABS in to diagnosis and for that you need a BMW / Carsoft software, you can do it but you will have to guess how much goes in and out, easy bleed will defiantly help

You will need a break re-wind tool for the rear or a set of long nose pliers and some force

[Justin S]

Brake pads are here this morning and also ordered a rear brake sensor cable, as someone has damaged and using black tape ,sort of repaired it, so just going to do that as well. Also found the dipstick is cracked on the black length, which I thought, here goes into the jaws of a BMW mini dealer, but was only a tenner..............cheaper than trying to get the broken bit out the sump in a months time...........

[DanGT]

You can now get a unit that fits on the end of a ratchet drive to put the pots back in. They are cheep and work well. Do not just wind in puch in you must bleed at the same time so that the brake flude dose not go back throw the ABS system. Never had it but durt even a very small amount can mess up the ABS unit.

Had problems with EBC pads. I have found them quite good with very good customer survise. But I have not run them on a BMW mini.