17 replies to this topic

[leeuk]

Hiya guys, I brought myself a standard 1998 mini yesterday and drove it home without any issues but i am not liking the brakes too much, the pedal is quite hard when i apply pressure and they don't seem to want to stop the mini, after checking the cars previous MOT history i have also found an advisory for which the mini previously failed on "Offside Rear brake recording little or no effort" and so i think i might look at upgrading the brakes for a new kit, Could someone please advise me on what kit i need to be looking to buy, I will also be looking for a set of 10" alloys in the future and so the new brakes must be compatible, Thankyou very much in advance

[leeuk]

Thankyou very much for the speedy replie, I am on the hunt for a decent garage near myself (wednesbury, west mids) that specialise in the mini and this will be first on my list for them to do for me as the stopping power is not great at all. Thanks again

[Tamworthbay]

On Coopermans advice I fitted new standard (but good quality) discs and Mintex 1144 pads. I was surprised by the improved feel. I have used a few different set ups over the years but this is the best I have tried for very little cost really. I prefer the heavier non servo pedal feel, but if you are more used to modern cars then a retro fit servo kit would be worth looking into, assuming you haven't got one on already.

[leeuk]

On Coopermans advice I fitted new standard (but good quality) discs and Mintex 1144 pads. I was surprised by the improved feel. I have used a few different set ups over the years but this is the best I have tried for very little cost really. I prefer the heavier non servo pedal feel, but if you are more used to modern cars then a retro fit servo kit would be worth looking into, assuming you haven't got one on already.

Thankyou very much for your advice, As i am new to the mini scene i shall take your advice on board and i will now be looking to buy myself some quality standard discs and the mintex 1144 pads, Thanks again for that mate, Its time for me to make my first purchase i think

[CityCharlie]

Mini brakes can be OK IME as long as they are in good working order even without the servo on disc brake equipped cars (I cannot speak for the cars on drums all round). Adhering to the brake fluid changes and having free moving cylinders and calipers does make a difference.

FWIW, my City E is probably one of the best Minis I have stopped in (compared to even a late 90s Cooper I have once had the pleasure of driving) even with the lack of servo. It has however received almost a full brake overhaul (new calipers and brake cylinders on the front, just using stock stuff). My old Spitfire 1500 in comparison felt lethal and very wooden (a car with a similar weight and a similar unassisted (lack of servo) setup).

I can't speak for Minis on this front, but the cars I have used with Mintex M1144s have always made for a great set of brakes (on my 205, the M1144s were a great addition with plenty of power and plenty of cold bite present (if I am honest, around town they were a little *too* good!).

Edited by CityCharlie, 09 December 2012 - 01:47 PM.

[leeuk]

Mini brakes can be OK IME as long as they are in good working order even without the servo on disc brake equipped cars (I cannot speak for the cars on drums all round). Adhering to the brake fluid changes and having free moving cylinders and calipers does make a difference.

FWIW, my City E is probably one of the best Minis I have stopped in (compared to even a late 90s Cooper I have once had the pleasure of driving) even with the lack of servo. It has however received almost a full brake overhaul (new calipers and brake cylinders on the front, just using stock stuff). My old Spitfire 1500 in comparison felt lethal and very wooden (a car with a similar weight and a similar unassisted (lack of servo) setup).

I can't speak for Minis on this front, but the cars I have used with Mintex M1144s have always made for a great set of brakes (on my 205, the M1144s were a great addition with plenty of power and plenty of cold bite present (if I am honest, around town they were a little *too* good!).

Thankyou for your response, I shall be going with the advice you fine guys have given me and my next step today is to place my order with minisport i think, Thanks very much again

[Tamworthbay]

On Coopermans advice I fitted new standard (but good quality) discs and Mintex 1144 pads. I was surprised by the improved feel. I have used a few different set ups over the years but this is the best I have tried for very little cost really. I prefer the heavier non servo pedal feel, but if you are more used to modern cars then a retro fit servo kit would be worth looking into, assuming you haven't got one on already.

Thankyou very much for your advice, As i am new to the mini scene i shall take your advice on board and i will now be looking to buy myself some quality standard discs and the mintex 1144 pads, Thanks again for that mate, Its time for me to make my first purchase i think

Worthwhile purchase. For some reason they changed the packaging last year to say 'not for road use'. There has been a lot of debate why but generally it is thought that it is to comply with EU regs on what is allowed in them. Loads of people use them on the road with no problems and Cooperman has used them for rallying for years. Minispares are close to you and they stock them. Assuming you have 8.4 discs you will need:

http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Brakes/Front/Pads_shoes/C-AHT16.aspx?040103&ReturnUrl=/search/classic/Mintex.aspx|Back%20to%20search

And discs:


http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Brakes/Front/Discs_drums/21A2612MS.aspx?040102&ReturnUrl=/shop/classic/Brakes/Discs.aspx|Back%20to%20shop

But if you are looking to go 10" on wheels you will need:



http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Brakes/Front/Pads_shoes/C-8G8995.aspx?040103&ReturnUrl=/search/classic/Mintex.aspx|Back%20to%20search

And conversion kit:


http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Brakes/Front/C-AJJ4028.aspx?0401&ReturnUrl=/search/classic/7.5%20conversion.aspx|Back%20to%20search

Big difference on price!

[jaydee]

Didnt know they made 998s in 1998...

[leeuk]

Didnt know they made 998s in 1998...

1988 sorry mate

[leeuk]

On Coopermans advice I fitted new standard (but good quality) discs and Mintex 1144 pads. I was surprised by the improved feel. I have used a few different set ups over the years but this is the best I have tried for very little cost really. I prefer the heavier non servo pedal feel, but if you are more used to modern cars then a retro fit servo kit would be worth looking into, assuming you haven't got one on already.

Thankyou very much for your advice, As i am new to the mini scene i shall take your advice on board and i will now be looking to buy myself some quality standard discs and the mintex 1144 pads, Thanks again for that mate, Its time for me to make my first purchase i think

Worthwhile purchase. For some reason they changed the packaging last year to say 'not for road use'. There has been a lot of debate why but generally it is thought that it is to comply with EU regs on what is allowed in them. Loads of people use them on the road with no problems and Cooperman has used them for rallying for years. Minispares are close to you and they stock them. Assuming you have 8.4 discs you will need:

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

And discs:


http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

But if you are looking to go 10" on wheels you will need:



http://www.minispare...|Back to search

And conversion kit:


http://www.minispare...|Back to search

Big difference on price!

Thanks again mate, That was my next question (what size disc do i need) but after you showing me the difference in price i think i may go for the first and more cheaper option and give the 10" a miss for now,

[leeuk]

Thanks again guys i wouldn't get anywhere without your help, I have just sent Minispares a message for a price on the rear drums, shoes and cylinders, as well as some new brake lines too, along with the standard discs and mintex pads for the front, I think i would be better of for piece of mind to have all 4 corners replaced, I should get a replie tomorrow during office hours so i shall keep you posted on my progress, I want to get this job done asap so as i can then turn my attention to getting a little more from my engine, after reading a few posts on the forum i think i shall gown the route of a 1275 head and a stage 1 kit but as ive said the breaks must come first,

[jaydee]

Didnt know they made 998s in 1998...

1988 sorry mate

Ok so you dont have a vacuum servo thats why brake pedal is harder then modern cars.
That doesnt mean your brakes deserve a good service

[leeuk]

Didnt know they made 998s in 1998...

1988 sorry mate

Ok so you dont have a vacuum servo thats why brake pedal is harder then modern cars.
That doesnt mean your brakes deserve a good service

Thanks jaydee, I must admit it was a little scary on the trip back home as it felt as thou i barely had any brakes and so i would still rather have them overhauled to be fair mate just for peace mind and for such a low cost.

[jaydee]

Ok, the kits posted by Tamworthbay are all excellent dont forget to change the rubber pipes too.

[leeuk]

Ok, the kits posted by Tamworthbay are all excellent dont forget to change the rubber pipes too.

Cheers jaydee, I shall definitely be going with Tamworthbay`s advice and thankyou all again for your input it is very much appreciated