Won't need new brakes until at least next spring, but wondering what to get for a 2009 JCW. For my 2003 R50 I found the stock brakes ok but very dusty. Tried Hawk HPS next but don't like their lack of bite and sluggish response. Then used Cool Carbon which performed great with a bit more dust than HPS but still less than OEM. They also were hard on the rotors and got noisy (scraping at low speed rather than squeeking) with age, and they don't make a pad for the Gen 2 JCW brakes. Have heard good things and bad things about EBC Redstuff. Wondering about Porterfield R4-S or maybe Carbotech 1521 (Bobcat). I of course want the magic unobtainable mix of lower dust, acceptable noise, good cold bite and excellent performance, but don't need track-worthiness and don't autocross either. Rotor wear isn't a big issue. This is a spirited daily driver MINI. Speaking of rotors, will probably keep it simple and get plain Zimmerman or Brembo rotors unless someone chimes in with something better. Not interested in drilled or dimpled, and although I have used slotted rotors in the past, probably not necessary. (The EBC slotted USR ones look nice but the rear discs are crazy expensive for some unknown reason).
There is street driving and there is twistie driving. A pad that would function for street driving in areas with very minor elevation changes may not function on roads with major elevation changes. IMO there are mountain roads around the Tail of the Dragon that can be more severe on your brakes than the Dragon. I did some mountain runs on the OEM pads but then went to EBC Yellows. They do create dust but do have a good bite even when cold. I have a friend that is a state AX Champion with his MINI that says the yellows once half worn lose major grip and after some good heated runs will require more pedal pressure. When I went to GP2 rotors with my Chevy Cobalt Brembos, I went with some EBC Reds that I found on sale for $25. On rotors, I have found Centric or Raybestos to work fine for my type of driving that involves no track or autocrossing. Not one into drilling or slotting either.
I like the Hawk but you have tried those already. As far as rotors this is what I got last time for my R53. front and rear. https://www.detroittuned.com/sp-performance-front-rotors-cooper-s-gen1/
I have EBC Yellows I won't be using. They are new and have never been installed. I have no idea what they worth, but Dave.O would probably say, "nothing".
I have EBC reds on my MINI. They stop better and have little or no dust. As far a rotors go, I bought Autozone's Duralast brake rotors, they are cheap and work great.
Red Stuffs ARE great. Mine lasted through track days, twisties and the Dragon until they finally gave out...little dusting and great bite. Unfortunately, they gave out and I had to get OEMs and i absolutely HATE them...dust like crazy and squeal like a stuck pig.
Carbotech is now G-Lock. They are way better than EBC and Hawk pads. As for rotors I choose Stoptech plain.
Now leaning towards G-Loc GS-1 pads and Centric/Stoptech 125 series plain cryo rotors. Do the GS-1 pads have sensor slots and the little weight pads* (on the front gen 2 jcw ones)? *(don't know what the hell those little things do anyway)
York, PA? Do you know Ronald Grim? He's a PhD, not an M.D., though. He and I went to Muskingum College together, back in the day.
I put red stuff pads on my wife's clubman. They are a very nice pad & work well for my sweeties late braking style of driving. Plus they are low dust. My old MINI was shoe'd with Akebono ceramic pads. Also a low dust pad. Brakes are such a personal thing, what one person loves another hates for some reason or another.
Ordered G-Loc GS-1 pads and plain coated Zimmerman rotors and a couple pad sensors. Still have several mm on the current pads before I get low enough that I really need to change them, but will get to it at least before the spring change to summer wheels/tires, or sooner, if I get a good opportunity in terms of weather and time. It would be nice to do less brake dust cleaning and have new pads and rotors even if it means wasting a little of material left on the current pads.
Your call, but if it was me I'd change them sooner than later. The weather is nice & cool now, perfect for working on your car. I also change tires before they become racing slicks, but that is just me.
I have my winter wheels/tires on as of about a week ago. The tires are brand new. I usually change winter tires when they get down to 5 or 6/32", and summer tires when they get down to 3 or 4/32" tread. The current pads still have about 7.5 mm on them, so they can wear down about 4 more mm before I really should change them, but yeah, sooner than later is better. It just depends on how the weekends go regarding weather, work, and other factors.
You have more pad left than I envisioned. Heck I'd wait a while too. Although I hate doing car repair jobs in the cold.