15 replies to this topic

[BaggieBoy]

I have a 2000 cooper sports pack with 13" wheels and 8.4"discs.
Now whilst most people would think that the brakes are fine for normal use, I find them a little scarey compared to my daily drive, modern motor, and am therefore considering an upgrade.
I have been looking at the mini speed 4 pot kit with vented discs (£385) or the KAD version, at a higher price of £570.
Are these the best option?
Anyone able to offer any advice please.

I was hoping to pick some people's brains at Himley on Sunday, but now the show has been cancelled I thought I'd give this a try!

Thanks in anticipation

[Midas Mk1]

Ive got Minisport 4pot's, and they're great!

Some people my comment 'standard brakes with decent pads' are fine, but when you need to brake quick, 4pots win everyday.

[Cooperman]

Personally I've always found the 8.4" discs to be fine, even for rallying where the discs get red-hot at times. The key to good braking is good-condition discs and really top quality pads. That's all you need and there really is no need to spend out hundreds of pounds on 4-pots, vents, etc. The Mini is a light car, so it doesn't need mega-braking power.
Try some really good quality discs, maybe the grooved ones, and a set of Mintex 1144 pads and I'm sure you'll be delighted with the results.

[jackmason]

Ive got the 7.9 4 Pot brakes, used them without and with a servo and they have been great, but personally i didn't notice any difference over the standard 8.4 Brakes.

Read an interesting article on minispares website about the different brakes which can he found HERE

[scotty_18]

For the cheaper option (if money is a barrier) then you could always look for some metro turbo 4 pots, second hand but they're still decent.

[Cooperman]

As above, so long as your 8.4" (or 7.5") discs are in good condition, your standard calipers are working as they should, your brake fluid is fairly fresh and you ahve top-quality pads there is absolutely no need whatsoever for any other braking system on a Mini. Of course, the vendors of 4-pot brakes would like you to believe you really need them, but you don't.
I ran Mintex 1177 pads with the standard 8.4" brakes on an 'Endurance rally' car, where the brakes had to remain standard, and there was absolutely no braking problems at all, even on long tarmac tests.
The historic race & rally Minis all run 7.5" discs and 2-pot calipers and they work really well when Carbon-Metallic pads are used and those pads work fine on the road as well.

[holmesy]

cooperman's word is final

[Gr4h4m]

I have found people view on brakes is more down to feel rather than performance. Bigger brakes give more stopping power the larger the disc provides more torque arm effect.

Most people driving modern cars are used to servo assistance, this might be a route if you want a better feel?

Four pots help with un sprung weight and pad pressure, but I have seen most people complain about the pedal feel being longer when switching to 4 pots, I guess this depends on the make and piston size??. Not sure.

My fiesta brakes increased in pedal feel when I switched to 1275 gt rear wheel cylinders, the pedal is now right there, which gives you more confidence... But you can easily lock the front wheels

Edited by Gr4h4m, 06 July 2012 - 10:53 PM.

[CMXCVIII]

Bigger brakes give more stopping power the larger the disc provides more torque arm effect.

All brakes can ever do is lock the wheels. After that, they're not the limiting factor

My fiesta brakes increased in pedal feel when I switched to 1275 gt rear wheel cylinders, the pedal is not right there, which gives you more confidence... But you can easily lock the front wheels.

QED.

[Cooperman]

For long-distance racing on a very twisty circuit there could be a need for vented discs and 4-pot calipers.
However, if you need that sort of braking on the road in order to dissipate the heat your driving style is generating, then you'll probably soon need a bus ticket as you'll either crash or lose your licence.
The Mini is a classic car and a classic car won't have brakes which 'feel' like a modern car's brakes. That's not to say it won't stop as well, just that it's a classic car.

[Gr4h4m]

to be honest mine have always felt great, I wonder why the vented option isnt taken up more.

You just have to jump in a get used to using some more right foot....

[Cooperman]

to be honest mine have always felt great, I wonder why the vented option isnt taken up more.

You just have to jump in a get used to using some more right foot....

It isn't taken up more because on a road car it's a completely unnecessary waste of money.

[minimissionary]

100% with Cooperman on this one. I have the setup he mentioned earlier (Grooved 'Surestop' discs, with M1144's), and I've never had a problem. With the brakes bled and the drums adjusted properly, the brakes are reassuringly firm. They're nothing on my Mum's 3 series BMW, but then again, that thing is like the QE2 by comparison.

[charie t]

road and track braking are completely different situations and conditions, so can not be compared
And surely this is in the wrong section? Mods doing a top job as usual

Edited by charie t, 08 July 2012 - 07:46 AM.

[Gr4h4m]

Unless you are on the lakes run ;) and driving the hard knock pass..... That cooks most brakes In my experience everything you can do there is of a help.

to be honest mine have always felt great, I wonder why the vented option isnt taken up more.

You just have to jump in a get used to using some more right foot....

It isn't taken up more because on a road car it's a completely unnecessary waste of money.