33 replies to this topic

[DeadBert]

Hi

I'm downsizing to 10" wheels and will be buying some 4 pot alloy callipers. Question is as the topic title, are KAD brakes worth the extra £150+ compared to the Mini Spares 4 pots? If so, why? What am I getting for my extra money?

This is for a road car.

Thanks

Chris

[Spud_133]

What is the spec. of your car. If everything else is standard then no, but if it's a road rocket ship, then you'll need all the help you can get!

[mini-luke]

I believe the KAD ones are without dust seals, so I would be reluctant to use them regularly on the road.

EDIT: What he said! ^^^

Edited by mini-luke, 02 February 2012 - 07:42 PM.

[mini-luke]

.

Edited by mini-luke, 02 February 2012 - 07:41 PM.

[Cooperman]

Unless you are racing and therefore using very sticky slick tyres then with 10" wheels the standard Cooper 'S' brake set-up is fine. In fact its good for tarmac rallying on 165 section tyres. The only thing is that you do need the best quality discs and, if you rally or drive really hard the Carbon-Metallic brake pads are an excellent choice of friction material.
It really is not worth spending loads of cash on 4-pots, special discs except for racing.

[Midas Mk1]

Minisport 4pots are where its at

[DeadBert]

Thanks for the replies.

Can't speak for Mini Spares but straight from KAD "

Hard anodised alloy pistons are fitted with dust seals." I thought it was only the KAD 6 pots which didn't have dust seals?

With regards to the Cooper S setup...... yes they'll provide enough braking force but in every way (other than price) surely alloy 4 pots are better? More braking force (even if it's only a small % increase), improved heat dissipation and less unsprung weight.

Or are there specific advantages to using the Cooper S setup that I'm not familiar with?

Also, after the customer experience I've received from Mini Sport in the past, both over the phone and at shows they'll never see another £ of my money!

Chris

Edited by DeadBert, 02 February 2012 - 08:47 PM.

[Cooperman]

Thanks for the replies.

Can't speak for Mini Spares but straight from KAD "

Hard anodised alloy pistons are fitted with dust seals." I thought it was only the KAD 6 pots which didn't have dust seals?

With regards to the Cooper S setup...... yes they'll provide enough braking force but in every way (other than price) surely alloy 4 pots are better? More braking force (even if it's only a small % increase), improved heat dissipation and less unsprung weight.

Or are there specific advantages to using the Cooper S setup that I'm not familiar with?

Also, after the customer experience I've received from Mini Sport in the past, both over the phone and at shows they'll never see another £ of my money!

Chris

With 10" wheels and 165 section tyres, the Cooper 'S' brakes are absolutely fine for all applications. You won't stop any better with 4-pot or 6-pot, or whatever you fit as the braking limitation will still be the tyres which will lock up and slide.
The manufacturers of these expensive brakes, originally designed for racing on sticky slick tyres, want you to spend money unnecessarily on their products - of course they do.
The truth is that such brakes are unnecessary on a road or even a serious rally Mini.
But it's up to the individual how much money he/she has to spare to spend on whatever he/she chooses.

[Tupers]

Is there not an argument to say that because the multi piston brakes use a larger pad the breaking will be improved right though the spectrum of use due to the larger surface area in contact with the disc under breaking?

[mini-luke]

Is there not an argument to say that because the multi piston brakes use a larger pad the breaking will be improved right though the spectrum of use due to the larger surface area in contact with the disc under breaking?

I've certainly heard that one before, however, don't the minisport ones use the normal calipers minus the corners anyway?

[Cooperman]

For a racing car with very high-grip sticky slick tyres, the answer is probably 'yes', but for a car on 165 section tyres it does seem doubtful. The limitations are, as so often the case, the tyres and the manner in which a car can be driven on public roads.
I can say that I do speak from experience of many, many years of national and international rallying and, with a 10" or 12" wheel, the standard disc brakes are totally adequate so long as the correct friction material for the application is fitted, the discs and callipers are in top condition and, if necessary, competition brake fluid is used.
But some people like to spend their money on such things and it really is up to them. My point is that it's not necessary and the car won't stop any better, not that they shouldn't do so.

[mike.]

Its only the 6 pot KAD callipers that don't come with seals. The rest are suitable for road use.

[supermotolee]

alloy calipers are lighter thus improving un sprung weight and handling?

[Tupers]

I'd imagine you'd have to be removing a lot of sprung weight from the whole car for it to be noticeable.

[Gulfclubby]

Three minis in the family, all 10", all with a Cooper S type remote servo, 2 fitted with alloy four pots in front and normal drums in the back and one with the Cooper S 7.5" AP brakes (two pots) and guess which one brakes best.