Since I don't have the necessary equipment and I live in an apartment, I can't change my brakes myself. My rear brakes need a change and I've got a question.

I was quoted 280 from the MINI dealer or 220 from PepBoys. I normally wouldn't take my car to a PepBoys but, I took my older car to this particular PepBoys in the past and have been nothing but happy with the results. I believe it's a Franchise of some sort and the guys there are usually pretty good about everything and they handle everything with care.

The MINI dealer said something about the sensors. Do they have to replace the sensors or do they just have to reset them? It wasn't too clear to me on that.

The last question is, do you guys recommend the MINI dealer over another location? I'd rather have it done right than half assed, excuse my language.

Thanks in advance.

PS: Whoever owned my car before me somehow was able to loosen one of the exhaust tips, how do you tighten these?

PPS: Do you recommend taking the car for oil changes to the MINI dealer? I know they use full synthetic and I was quoted 100 for it, just curious.

 

I was able to coerce a MINI Tech to do my brakes in my garage. The dealership was more expensive and I was pretty much done with OEM rotors - way too much brake dust. Went with aftermarket slotted brakes (dba 4000) and Hawk HPS pads. Brake dust issue resolved!

I did need new sensors - I believe if you don’t replace the pads in time, you ruin the sensors which is what I did.

 

Hmmn, thanks for the reply.

How much did it end up costing you? I know my front brakes are ridiculous with the brake dust but, obviously I don't want to replace them until I have to. I'm also sure I ruined my sensors, lol.

 

hi,if your brake warning light came on the sensor needs replaced.

 

It hasn't come on.

 

My light did come on - you can go into the OBC and see how many miles are left on them. I am surprised that your rear brakes are going before the fronts... Did the original owner already replace the fronts?

Rotors and pads for all four corners was $675; labor was around $150 if I remember. Which turned into a bargain since my tire dude over tightened one of the lugs and it had to be drilled out - the MINI tech was here for most of the day.

The rear rotors were $235 and pads were $80 through AutoAnything.

 

I'm not 100% sure but, my OBC says like 1000 miles or so I believe.

There was only 1 owner of the car before I bought it and it looks like they took care of it pretty well, but not like I baby it. I just know the back brakes are starting to squeal so, it's time.

The slotted rotors take care of the brake dust though? I haven't really had a big issue with brake dust on the back brakes, but the front brakes it's just ridiculous. I have to wash my rims like twice a week for them to be clean, lol.

 

Hi - slotted rotors won't reduce brake dust; they simply provide an exit for any gases generated during heavy braking.

 

1.) Rotors have almost nothing to do with brake dust. That's pad material...

2.) I wouldn't trust Pep Boys to wash my underwear, let alone touch my car. There has to be a Mini specialist or Euro repair shop near you that can do your brakes. Or someone local to you like me with a garage and all the tools, (I've got a lift in my garage),

3.) as stated if the light isn't on, you don't "HAVE" to replace the sensors, (1 left front, 1 right rear), but these things are old, took a lot of abuse and heat, and could very easily break when you try to remove them from the pad... It's a pretty cheap part, so I recommend changing them.

4.) If it's an "S" there is an Allen setscrew on the bottom of the tip. (probably on justa's too, but I've never looked). Get the correct Allen wrench, some penetrating oil and have at it.

5.) If the car is still under warranty and that matters to you, by all means feel free to go to the dealer. If it's not under warranty, unless it a really weird problem, all going to the dealer vs a reputable Mini shop will do is lighten your wallet.

 

Great reply, exactly what I was looking for.

1.) Ok, do you recommend any sort of material in brake pads that will reduce brake dust?

2.) Yeah, I'm very hesitant to take my MINI there. My old car was just a Japanese import that I didn't really care that much about. I don't really think I trust them with my MINI. Where do you live? Perhaps we live close. c: I live in South Jersey.

3.) Good to know, I'm more than likely just going to replace them.

4.) Awesome, I've been looking for some sort of screw on them and couldn't find a thing. Guess I need to look a little harder. Also, yes it's an S.

5.) I didn't buy the car from a MINI dealer, so I'm not sure it matters I guess. I do have an extended warranty from the dealer I bought it from in case something serious goes wrong with the car. Not sure what question this is pertaining to but, I'm guessing the oil change. It's not exactly time for an oil change yet so, I have some research to do.

I guess I also have some research to do for a reputable MINI specialist. Thank you for the great reply though.

 

Another opinion:

for the brake job, getting a price from the dealer that close to an outside price is fairly rare so that is a point in their favor. But a $100 for an oil change is high, unless they are doing a 'full service' which would replace other filters too like the cabin air filter.

but the dealer is only going to use their factory parts in all probability so you'll not get a change in the dust situation. You can check here for hundreds of threads about best pad and rotor combo's. For every recommendation, you'll find someone else who says that brand stinks. I've used EBC green on all my MINIs and I'm happy with them for road use. I get more dust then I see on my Hondas, but less than OEM pads.

MINI brakes are nothing special and any place that does brakes can do MINI's.

Sensors do not need to be replaced unless they have been 'tripped'. The sensor is consumed when it is tripped. I change my pads b4 the sensor trips and have never replaced a sensor on my or the other MINIs I've done brakes on. Yes people have broken them .... they are small and easy to break

Oil change on a MINI IS a lil bit unique due to old style paper element vs a spin on filter. For this reason finding a MINI smart shop IS recommended - or a BMW smart shop. I do not recommend quicky change places for MINI oil.

 

Good to know. Obviously though the MINI Dealer should know how to do the oil change properly if I really cannot find a MINI Specialist right? It is full synthetic oil they put in the car, but I'm not aware of anything else they do as far as the oil change at the dealer.

Like I said before though, I've never really had an issue with the back brake dust as I do with the front. Obviously though when I replace the front brakes, I'd like to not have two different brands of rotors and pads.

 

most braking happens up front so dust is not usually a problem in the back. I've run EBC green on the front and OEM on the rear with no problems. ( put greens up front on the 7 as soon as I got it and kept OEM in the back until they need change)

Yes, the dealer will probably do the oil change correctly - but it is always a good idea to check the dipstick b4 you pull out! (only time I ever had an oil change screwed up in over 35 years of car ownership it was at a dealer . . .)

Your other possible solution is to hook up with a local MINI group if there is one. Sometimes you get lucky and find someone who can help out via loan of garage and tools. I do oil and brakes and other stuff for local folks in my garage for the fun of it.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ersey-monj-97/

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=718713

 

Lakewood is in North Jersey. It's quite a drive just for an oil change. I'm more than likely doing a meet soon for South Jersey so, maybe someone there will be able to hook me up.

I only found 1 BMW/MINI specialist so far around my area. Only problem is, they close at 5PM and are only open M-F. I work M-F between 10-7, which really stinks.

 

Have you checked in with Philly MINI to see if they know someone across the river?

 

I checked their forum but, I'm going to guess they're going to give me some shop in or around Allentown that would be the closest. That's about an hour and a half plus drive, again a little steep for just an oil change.

Thanks for the advice though, maybe I'll post something in the forum, see what they've got.

 

I had akeebono put on my cooper. Almost no dust. Very happy with them.

Any place that does brakes can do a mini. It doesn't have to be a BMW specialist.

 

Philly Mini covers a wide area, ranging from Delaware north to Allentown, east to New Jersey. They have several active members who live in Jersey.

 

If I were you, I would stop in a Napa Auto Parts and ask for a mechanic recommendation. They should be able to tell you who to see and who to stay away from in your area. Any local shop is going to get their parts from Napa anyways. Brakes are brakes, you dont need to be MINI/BMW certified to replace these correctly, and the local "S. Jersey Auto and Tire" shop will do the same job at a significantly cheaper rate.

I did my own brakes. To give you an idea of parts, I used EBC green($73), Napa Ultra Premium Rotors($38 each), rear brake sensor was frozen on the pad and broke getting off($30), Lisle brake caliper piston tool($10), TorX bit to remove rotor($5), Can of Brake Cleaner($6), tube of White Lithium grease($5), 1 bottle of CRC Disk Brake Quiet($7), wire brush($4). Thats $216 right there. I would imagine your quotes were for cutting the rotors, not replacing them.
My front pads were about $95 and the front rotors were $66 each. My brake sensor came off the fronts easy, so I didnt need to replace that. I did fronts and backs at the same time. For the record, my brake sensor light was not lit on the dash.

I like the EBC green. They come pre-beveled to reduce squeal. Less dust than oem, but still dust. As far as the rotors go, no need for slotted or drilled for everyday driving. My car stops on a dime and they dont squeak.

For oil changes, I have a couple of MINI dealers near me that send me coupons in the mail a few times a year. I've gotten for as little as $49.99 and as much as $69, and I'm in Chicago suburbs. I figure I cant save much more going anywhere else other than doing it myself. Maybe you could sign up at your closest dealer for coupons?

Hope this helps,