I have a 2004 Mini Copper with 69,950 miles. It seems I needed brake pad replacement on the front and rear (as I was expecting) but the front rotors had to be changed too. How long do the stock front rotors generally last and when is it appropriate to change them out (most of my driving is just commuter).

 

You Got 70K out of the OEM rotors WOW I think that's a record. The avg is only 50K. The rears may have also needed changing, will for sure next time.

 

I've now gotten 80-85k miles out of current rotors. Rotors RARELY need to be changed IF you replace your brake pads BEFORE they are fully worn.

 

Are you measuring them with a mic??? Why would you replace brake pads before they are due? And then not replace rotors that are at the bare minimum of the specs. So let me get this straight, you would replace pads before they are due and not replace rotors that almost need to be changed and most definitely be under specs in 5-10k miles.

Not picking on you in general, but my rule of thumb is if they are right at minimum specs before the brake job, change them. It's only what stops you car, why skimp on that.

 

Hmmm...I don't know. What I meant was a lot of times when you get your car serviced they will tell you you need brakes in a couple thousand miles or a couple months. Many times you may forget or not get the car back in time to change the pads (life has a funny way of getting in the way). Nothing wears a rotor faster than a brake pad worn down to the metal.

I'm no expert, that's just my experience. For daily driving, if you replace your pads when they need replacing instead of waiting for your brakes to squeak, rotors can last a very long time. And if you downshift whenever you stop or slow significantly, brake pads can last a very long time also.

 

Brake pads are cheaper than clutches.

It's common on a MINI to replace rotors when pads are changed. It's a BMW thing, the rotors are softer than ones commonly found on American cars.

 

Never wore out a clutch either

 

do you just drive across country every month? LOL Maybe you could give a driving lesson on how to get that many miles out of parts that most wear out in half the time. How many miles are you getting out of tires?

 

This has been my experience as well...The rear rotors will go at a 2:1 Pads/rotors, but the front is 1:1 pads/rotors

 

chiming in

2004 MCS - stock pads and rotors

back roads, autocross - overall a gentle driver though...(old!)

Brake Maintenance Timeline

39,942 Rear Rotors and Pads (surprised me that the rear was first)
59,292 Front rotors and pads
79,505 Rear pads only

I'm due for all four corners now, at 109,000 miles - but all brakes are within spec and working fine - thank heavans. Been unemployed and was grateful to get the full '08 autocross season done without issue.

 

This thread makes me chuckle... I change pads and rotors just because I'm bored or want to try something new... it's like a tootsie pop... I'll never know how many licks it takes...

 

Change the text "pads and rotors" above to wheels and tires for me.

 

I had to do a full brake job (front and rear pads and rotors) on my MCS at somewhere shortly after 60k. That was not too long after her first trackday under her belt, which corroborated everything. The rotors are relatively thin which is the reason why you can't just turn them to get more life out of them.

 

First off just so you know I use my car mainly for commuting with weekend fun trips. My commute consist of maybe 3 or 4 stops and 70 mile + each way. So the brakes and clutch don't get used that much in the daily driving. But weekends, when I get out, they get a lot more use.

With that said, I replaced my rear pads (pads only) at 90,000 and my front pads and rotors at ~120k miles.

I think the rears are about due again

Nik

 

chadtoolio makes a good point about measuring the pad and rotor as the basis for decision making; squeaking is not an accurate indicator of service life, however, grinding is a definite “gone too far” or failure flag. Caliper(s) and/or micrometer are useful tools which pay for themselves quickly, but pad thickness can easily be seen without removing a wheel and a pocket ruler can show approximate pad thickness when placed through the wheel spokes. Feeling with a finger nail for the amount of lip on the end of the rotor is another approximate indicator; and if the depth of the swept area is compared using an appropriate measurement device, you’ll have a mental reference for use later.

Ratios change when various pad compounds and aftermarket rotors are combined, so OEM experiences become less valid.

 

K-huevo, is certainly right on with this observation.
I have found that EBC Green stuff pads are very aggressive on my Frozen Rotors. Keeping an eye on brakes is easily done when checking tire air pressure once or twice a month. Something every MINI owner does regularly, right?
I changed out the front rotors at around 50K, to be honest they still have some life left in them. The front Frozen rotors started life with the EBC pads and are showing more of a wear ring than the OEM did at higher mileage.
chadtoolio's experience with front to read wear ratio is mine also.
And gnatster's comment, is dead on the money.