I'm soon going to have replace the brakes on my R50. Anyone have any recommendations? Keep in mind that this car is my daily driver, and will never see a track or do a stoplight grand prix. I have been happy with the standard set up, but always looking for options.
I had Akebono ceramics on my MINI. I was very happy with them, you'll love the low brake dust. If you need rotors Centric rotors are good.
I like the CoolCarbon pads better than the Hawk HPS or the oem ones I had on before. Currently have slotted rotors - Cryo powerslot in front and ATE in back (needed them in a hurry last go-around, or I would have ordered matching ones for the back).
Those are good brake parts that you guys mention, but for a street driven car they are overkill. IMHO....
EBC sucks. :mad5: the pads come off the backing plates. I have had 3 different sets fail and will NEVER use them again. Akebono's are the way to go.
My R50 has EBC Green Stuff pads and the OEM rotors. It has been tracked at 2 Phil Wicks' Driving Schools and has been Dragon slaying 5 times, as well as to Mini Meet East in Frederick, MD, Mid Ohio Vintage GP, and Pittsburgh Vintage GP. The pads and rotors are still good [installed in '04], or so says the guy who does my tech checks for the MCS I drive at Mid Ohio. He's a former SCCA/BMW Club race champion. I'll take his word for it that the pads are ok.
It's an R50 and your not going that fast to even need the brakes. :lol::lol::lol::lol: I could put my foot out the door and stop your car. :lol:
One trouble with brakes that are that old Jeff is they can be rusting between the pad material & the backing plates. That can cause pad separation. The only way to check for that is to remove the pads & take a very close look. I seriously doubt your guy is pulling the pads apart & looking that closely. He is looking at pad thickness & making his determination on that alone. This is not only for EBC brakes, but any pad of that age. Also keep your size 10s in the car.
So...we are ALL supposed to flog our cars like YOU do? No wonder you are always changing pads.....:frown2:
Yes I heard some issues with EBC but I've used them on my rally cars since 2009 with no issues. Even our service SUV has them. I used yellow stuff which suits my driving style. Greens would be fine for road use.
I've got EBC Green Stuff on our Miata. Seem to work fine for me. From what I understand EBC is changing how the their pads are bonded to the backing plate. Brakes are a funny thing, one person can drive a set or _____ for 70,000 miles while another will turn them to flaming ash in 10,000. Very driving style dependent. On a drive with friends one told me how he needed a big brake kit because he didn't have enough brakes, yikes he said. I drove the same roads at the same speeds in my MINI & had zero brake issues? All down to how one drives. I'm not a late braker, I'm a carry speed kind of driver.
Just buy the basic non-slotted non-drilled Centric plain 125's off TireRack they will work fine on a daly driver that never sees a track or track temps. Great rotors at a resonable price.
One foot matted to the floor and the other one stabbing the brakes at that the last minute while having fun. Yup that's me, but I also built this car up to take the abuse I put it through and maintain my car and replace parts before they brake. I understand you may want to drive a little slower so you can completely enjoy your cigar on a long trip. :lol:
Oh yeah....RIIIIIIIGHT...I guess that's why I was told NOT to smoke when I was with some MI guys one year on I-75 to Fontana...poor lil kiddies were getting nauseated with smoke coming in thru open winders and tops down...boo-freakin-hooo. Then, I was told again as I smoked ON the Dragon...waaaa. Speed while driving does NOT dictate the enjoyment of a good cigar. I concentrate on driving when I am on the road. I do NOT yak on the cell, or text like many idiots do. A good cigar allows me to enjoy the ride.