2nd Gen R60 Countryman Most liked posts in thread: Brake assist

:cornut: 1st Post. Welcome to MA. Sounds to me that you have normal MINI brakes but perhaps just aren't used to them yet. GOOD LUCK and MINI on!

Jason

 

It's the brake pads. Swap out the factory pads for some ceramics and it'll be easier to modulate the brakes. BMW prefers pads with an on/off feel because most drivers don't push hard enough on the pedal. My gf's X3 is the same way.

 

Nope. I have perfect brake modulation on my Countryman. When I get out of a Suburban or a vehicle that requires a lot of brake travel to get the thing to stop, then I have the same problem you're describing, but then I get used to the R60 brakes again.

Kyle

 

I have the opposite problem... well, sort of. I love the brakes in my MINI. Excellent stopping power... but, the 2012 Turbo Beetle? I hate those brakes! I have mash down on them and they still sloooooowly stop the car.

 

no problem with the brakes on my 2012 cms all4

scott

 

Brake assist is working all the time, not dependent on speed. This is something you will get used to, it aint Toyo brakes.

 

:cornut: My Margi(08 R56 BRG MCS/JCWm) has excellent IMEDIATE braking with very little pedal pressure at all speeds. It took a very brief amount of time to get used to them. Prior to that I could almost snap my own seat belt shoulder strap! When in a braking emergency, you'll really learn to love them.

Jason

 

:cornutBThayer23 thanks) Which reminds me of our unofficial survey some time ago where most of us who changed from factory pads went with EBC Redstuff(ceramic) pads. The 2nd place pad wasn't even close. Redstuff on my Margi(08 R56 BRG MCS/JCWm) for several years now and they are way better and last longer than MINI factory pads.

Jason

 

i doubt you are triggering brake assist, page 70 of my 2012 cms all4 OM:

'Brake Assist
Rapidly depressing the brake causes this system
to automatically develop maximum braking
force. Thus, the system helps keep braking distance
to a minimum. At the same time, all the
benefits provided by ABS are exploited.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application."

the computer is watching the brake pedal ... if it sees rapid movement, ie "panic stop", brake assist takes over

compared to my 1997 gmc sonoma p/u truck, the cms brakes are very light, needing little pressure on the pedal to get significant brake action

i think you have a learning curve to get over, try this:

go drive slowly in a parking lot, wearing a pair of softsole shoes or barefoot
be very aware of how far/hard you are pressing the brake pedal
it won't take long to learn the light touch needed in the cms

as to blaming the pads, i am quite happy with the TSW branded OEM pads that came on my cms all4, they stop quickly when cold, don't fade and best of all, make little to no brake dust (i have white wheels)

scott

 

Hi doubletrouble,
When we got our CM, I did pretty well with the brakes since my Mazdaspeed6 has serious brakes too ---- so a modulated foot is needed.
BUT, when I drive the 95 Toyota Previa for a couple days then I do a little whiplash thing in my CM (or Mazda) on the first trip.

The hardest adjustment for me in my Countryman is the automatic's downshift - which makes for some herky jerky with the brakes. Hell, I am able to not touch the brakes and the downshifting does plenty slowing on its own. That's SO not like my Toyota's downshifting. This issue takes me longer to adjust to than my manual shift Mazda.

Hope you adjust and enjoy the MINI.

 

Toyota uses ceramic brake pads. They don't grab as hard as the semi-metallic pads that BMW uses. I drove my dad's Tundra for a couple days and was surprised at how smooth the brakes were - easier to modulate than my mom's 2011 Cooper.

 

my dad has a 2012 cms all4 with automatic ... it does not shift down to first while braking to a stop

maybe you should have a dealer look at your mini

scott