14 replies to this topic

[SomethingNew71]

I am looking at these but I am a bit nervous buying reproduction items especially when it comes to my brakes.  Anyone have experience with these directly that has some good or bad feedback? 

 

http://www.minispeed...f-the-original/

 

[90BHP]

Don't minispares or minisport do two versions. I would rather buy a minispares pattern part than anyone else's

[Steve220]

Minisport have done the original for some time. There are a lot of copies out there though!

[MRA]

It is quite possible that Minispeed like other shops buy from other suppliers, they may well be the same as Mini Spares Centre (London) or Mini Sport items.

[Fast Ivan]

I am looking at these but I am a bit nervous buying reproduction items especially when it comes to my brakes.

 

I think you have sort of answered your own question and I would be thinking the same

[Tamworthbay]

There are stories of the linings coming loose on some copies. But I haven't personally seen it and don't know which copies those were. For the braking system I would always buy the best you can afford.

[Cooperman]

Unless you are racing these are not worth spending money on as they are of no actual benefit to the braking efficiency. The rear brakes only do about 20% of the total braking and never even get hot.

But for racing they do reduce the un-sprung weight which can improve the lap times by a fraction of a second or so.

[SomethingNew71]

Unless you are racing these are not worth spending money on as they are of no actual benefit to the braking efficiency. The rear brakes only do about 20% of the total braking and never even get hot.

But for racing they do reduce the un-sprung weight which can improve the lap times by a fraction of a second or so.

 

I actually have non-captive spacers on my car currently and was looking for drums with the spacers included.  Didn't know if these added much benifet but that is really good to know.  I have experienced hot brakes before in the mountains of NC however I guess that was my front brakes.  Thanks for the feedback!

 

 

There are stories of the linings coming loose on some copies. But I haven't personally seen it and don't know which copies those were. For the braking system I would always buy the best you can afford.

 

Oh jeez yeah tha'ts what I am leaning towards too.  No sense in skimping on something so important.  

 

 

 

I am looking at these but I am a bit nervous buying reproduction items especially when it comes to my brakes.

 

I think you have sort of answered your own question and I would be thinking the same

 

 

Yeah buy genuine sounds like the right choice all around.  

[Cooperman]

All you need is a pair of standard drums as fitted to Cooper 'S' and all late disc braked cars. These have a built in spacer and work well. That's what is used on most proper rally Minis and they work well.

[bgrant570]

I have the budget ones from minispares.  They have this to say about them:

 

"Die cast alloy brake drums with built in spacer - imported copy but have proven 100% reliable on sales from 1998 without any problems and a value alternative to UK made SUPERFINS."

 

I have had no issues at all.  I needed the spacer, they're lighter, and frankly I like the look.  I agree that from a performance standpoint there's probably no advantage.

[Steve220]

The weight is the key advantage. Original pig iron ones are silly heavy.

[mad mk1]

It is quite possible that Minispeed like other shops buy from other suppliers, they may well be the same as Mini Spares Centre (London) or Mini Sport items.

Like all this stuff I would bet they are all from the same place. It's just how they are branded.

[MRA]

 

It is quite possible that Minispeed like other shops buy from other suppliers, they may well be the same as Mini Spares Centre (London) or Mini Sport items.

Like all this stuff I would bet they are all from the same place. It's just how they are branded.

 

 

Not all stuff, but certainly there are a lot of common suppliers.. 

[MRA]

These are the best on the market....

 

http://minispares.co.../SUPERFINS.aspx

[MRA]

How brakes work....

 

Brakes convert kinetic energy in to heat energy by friction, any heat that you can remove will improve your brakes efficiency.

 

The ONLY time this is not true is when the friction material has a minimum temperature that it works at like the old DS11 race pads, as these need heat to work and until that heat has built up they are as much good as chocolate fire-guard.

 

I have stripped down quite a few rear brakes over the years to find the rear wheel cylinder rubber boot to be part carbon were they have got too hot in every case it was on Minis with the standard rear drums, I have yet t find a Mini fitted with super minifins that has cooked the rubber boots.