Brakes Wheels 1st Gen Tires Brake recommendation?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by UKXPAT, Apr 24, 2010.

  1. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    I wonder how much the track has to do with it, too. I have a friend here who had previously given me pretty much the same lecture on braking technique. Then he killed his OEM brakes on the same track where mine died. Some layouts are just brake killers. Short, high speed straights into hard low speed corners, without enough non-braking cooling time per lap.

    Or the dragon driven in anger... hundreds of braking points in 15 minutes...
     
  2. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    The Dragon can be handled with dedicated track pads - you're braking often but not severely, as your top speed probably isn't that high. But any track less than 2.0 miles where you reach triple digits multiple times will shred R53 non-JCW brakes.

    These are my calipers after a weekend at NHMS, a 1.6-mile NASCAR roval. VIR South Course (1.65 mi) has a similar effect. Pads were new and properly bedded XP10's.*

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    *Should I have used XP12's? Yes. Would they have made a difference? Yes. Enough of a difference? I don't know.
     
  3. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Agreed, except for the thing about "top speed" on the dragon. You just don't have enough torque or enough cajones if you're not hitting triple digits on the straights :devil:
     
  4. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    12s on the front worked well for me on the Dragon. :)
     
  5. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #45 BlimeyCabrio, Sep 30, 2010
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2010
    ... on your JCW calipers?
     
  6. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Portland International is just under 2 miles and I can easily get to 120+ on both straights and my OEM R53 brakes are fine. Am I the fastest driver in my group....no, but I am always near the top.

    Maybe this has more to do with driving style and how hard are you wanting to push the car. I know I am not trying to push for every single second, but I have more than enough fun to make up for it.
     

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