Brakes Wheels 1st Gen Tires Which Brake pads do you use ?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by AliceCooper, Feb 20, 2012.

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  1. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

    Jun 24, 2009
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    Carbotech.
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Brake pads are a poor place to save money. Just my .02.
     
  3. sethat46

    sethat46 Well-Known Member

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    This
     
  4. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    EBC Green on the Classic and Hawk HPS on my R53...
     
  5. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    I've had great luck with my Zimmerman Rotor purchase...
     
  6. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    I was a huge Carbotech 1521 fan... but am currently loving the new EBC Red Stuffs. They're like halfway between the 1521 and AX6 pads in performance, with only slightly more dust than the 1521, and it cleans up easily.

    For rotors, I like Way's coated ones. They're purdy, resist rust in the non-contact areas and work well, and not overly expensive for something that doesn't need to be fancy.
     
  7. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    I understand and agree. But if you are getting the same thing for less isn't that wise? I've used Hawk HPS and HP+, Carbotech, Axis, and ATE. So I'll spend it if it's justified.

    If I go EBC green stuff or red stuff and why?
     
  8. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

    May 4, 2009
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    Greenstuff = Grocery Getter.
    GREAT pads for around town even if one drives (ahem) assertively. Good initial bite and decent fade resistance in around-town stuff. I like mine for the 95% of the time when I'm just tooling about, but dio have the tools and experience to change 'em out for track/autoX days.

    Reds = Race (sorta...): I've heard great things about the reds for higher-performance use, and will be trying them shortly... but given that it gets rather cold here in the 'burgh in winter, I'm a little resistant to run 'em year-round as many higher-performance pads need some initial heat built up in order to grab properly. I had that experience in a race-prepped GTI years ago (admittedly when brake pad tech was in its infancy compared to now) and a few "push brake --> wait --> butt-pucker --> STOP" moments were enough!

    IMHO, the HPS's and the "Monro Tire" Ceramics I ran (don't ask, I chimped out but was actually pleased with them) performed about the same. Low dust, OE-levels of performance / initial bite / fade resistance. I glazed the HPS's pretty badly in one session on a long autocross-type HPDE course, while friends with Reds didn't glaze theirs as badly. (It was a TOUGH course on brakes).

    Anyone have winter or DD experience with Reds vs. Greens?
     
  9. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    I used Reds all around on my R56 year round on street and on track. I haven't had them in sub zero temperatures but they seemed to grab fine at 20 deg F on cold rotors. One or two good stops and they do bite much better. The greens I had on my MkV GTI worked well for spirited DD. They do have a nicer initial "bite" in all temps but they don't modulate well under track conditions and they fade a bit under repeated hard braking. That is some serious braking though. Typical MINI owner would never fine the pad fade point on the Greens.

    I used the Reds because they resisted fade on the track and were quiet on the street. I'm lazy. I didn't want to worry about swapping pads or wheels/tires day of the event so I used high end street tires that I swapped the day before and left the EBC Reds in all the time. My R56 had them on when I sold it.

    There are MUCH better pads for the MINI for track. Carbotechs are great. EBC Blues or Oranges work well too.

    I'm soured on Hawk as I was SORELY disappointed with them in my '05 Mustang GT.

    However, given the 180-200hp of most MINIs and the 2600lb curb weight the EBC Reds are a good compromise pad. If you don't track or autox consider the Greens.
     
  10. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I used to use Hawk HPS pads on my r53 and never had any real problems with them. However, when they wore out, I went to EBC RedStuff pads because I had heard so many good things about them for track and street use. IMO, they resist fading better than the Hawks did, and like the Hawks, they do not dust as much as the OEM pads.

    I use EBC GreenStuff pads on my R50.
     
  11. davavd

    davavd Club Coordinator

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    I am REALLY happy with my Carbotech Bobcat 1521s, but it's about time to order some more and the pricing, where I can find them at all, is insane, almost twice the price of the alternatives. $286 for all 4 at Sneeds versus $136 for Brembos or $155 for Green stuff (WMW). Anybody know why, or where I can get them for a reasonable price? I also like that they are red :D
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Anything but EBC's for me.

    For daily driving I like Akebono's and for the Dragon I will use Brakeman pads on fresh rotors.
     
  13. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I've had very good luck with Akebonos pads. For my driving style they work well & they don't dust much. What dust there is is a lighter color, ceramic is the difference I recon.

    At this point I would not recommend EBC pads either.
     
  14. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Oh my we have a reversal. :devil: sorry Dave.O I just couldn't help myself. :biggrin5: but we still agree on the mighty R53.


    Still love my Hawk HPS.
     
  15. c0op3r

    c0op3r Active Member

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    I love the EBC Reds also, I will just keep a bit of a watch on them now, but nothing else I have tried works like them.

    I even put them on the Gf's Mustang GT!

    Oh and just a note: if you are an amazon shopper you can get them there for about 10$ less than everyone else, with free shipping if you are a Prime member.
     
  16. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    Too many stories of EBC pads coming apart for me to ever use them.
     
  17. WildThang

    WildThang New Member

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    Carbotech slotted rotors and some of their mid range track pads. Low dust, excellent stopping power, reasonable prices, and their are giving me many miles.

    IMO the stock front rotors are for old women...they warp easily under spirited use.
     
  18. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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    I love my CoolCarbon pads for aggressive street use. Better bite and cold weather performance
    than the Hawk HPS I had on before, good feel, modulation, and ultimate grip. I haven't
    been able to get them to fade, but I don't track my MINI. More dust than HPS but less
    than OEM.
     
  19. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

    Jun 24, 2009
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    Carbotech.
     
  20. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Hobo Bendix Ceramic. Absolute zero dust but less bite compared to EBC Greens I had with self-destruct feature.:)
     

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