10 replies to this topic

[lyesryan]

My mini is a 1988 austin and i need to replace the brakes but can anyone tell me. What is the best brake pads and discs to use that are both quiet and offer good braking performance ?

[HarrysMini]

I use Mintex M1144 pads and I've not yet found anything better. They work at their best when the brakes are warmed up a bit. 

 

Standard discs are fine, you can use drilled and grooved ones if you want, you probably won't notice any difference in braking on the road, but they do offer advantages such as a channel for water to escape and they clean out the space between the pad and disc so they don't score as badly. They are a bit noisier though.

[rally1380]

What sort of engine you got and what sort of driving you doing?

 

If the engine is standard and the driving is just commuting and normal road use you don't need anything other than standard OEM discs and pads.  You would benefit more from fully draining the brake fluid and refilling with a better quality replacement.  When buying pads, buy a decent brand and they will do you fine.

 

If however you have a fast 1275 lump and you do track days, then things are a little different....

[lyesryan]

hi thanks for the replies at the moment it is a 998 auto but soon will be having a 1320 manual (approx 100bhp) dropped in aswell as other components being fitted such as new adjustable dampers, camber kits, adjustable hi lo's, poly bush kit, adjustable tie rods, lower arms  etc.

[blacktulip]

a well serviced standard 8.4" set up is good enough for most road minis, even tuned ones IMO.

[lyesryan]

i just thought well they need changing i may aswell put uprated discs and pads now to save me having to install another set once the engine has been put in.

[rally1380]

Uprated discs are a waste of money in anything other than a full on competition car....even then a mini is so light you could just end up 'over braking' it.

 

For a 998 auto standard setup would be more than ample....even drums!!!!!

 

For your 1320 (thought it was 1310 or 1330?) then just uprate the pads to the mintex ones listed above, but they don't work awesome straight from cold so watch it when half asleep in the morning!!!!  I use them for rallying with high temp fluid and have never got them to fade yet - probably not trying hard enough. 

 

Failing that get something like Green stuff pads - but they are rubbish in my opinion - but do work when cold.

 

Fresh fluid and a pad upgrade is all that is needed so save your money for your other bits - sounds like you will need it!!!!!!

[Tamworthbay]

Another vote for mintex1144 pads. They transform the feel and performance of the brakes. Its weird in that you can easily lock the front on standard pads so you would wonder how they could be better, but they are very progressive and give great feedback. Coupled with yokoa048rs mine stops on a sixpence now.

[rally1380]

Another vote for mintex1144 pads. They transform the feel and performance of the brakes. Its weird in that you can easily lock the front on standard pads so you would wonder how they could be better, but they are very progressive and give great feedback. Coupled with yokoa048rs mine stops on a sixpence now.

 

Very good point....tyres are a very important part of stopping.

[Cooperman]

With 12" wheels for a road car you will not beat standard 8.4" discs with standard callipers and, if you drive VERY fast on the public roads, Mintex 1144 pads.

With 10" wheels the best option is the 7.5" discs with Cooper 'S' callipers and either Mintex 1144 or Carbon-Metallic pads (as supplied by Mini Spares).

On road tyres anything else is 'over-braked' which means the pads often don't get to optimum working temperature when driving a bit quickly and that is not good.

The fancy disc/multi-pot callipers are for racing where those large and very sticky tyres slick tyres are used.

[HarrysMini]

It is funny when people spend loads of money and time on uprating the brakes and then leave their worn out set of Falkens on the wheels. 

 

For 10" wheels, you can't beat Yokohama A032r and for 12" wheels Yokohama A048r. 

 

Tyres are just as important as your friction material when it comes to braking.