Im getting ready to buy what I need to do my brakes on my 2011 Cooper S. My main reasons are that I dont like the lack of initial bite and they produce way to much dust. So I have decided to at the very least go with the EBC Red Stuff pads and possibly SS Lines. I do have a couple of questions

If I wanted to do rotors also should I do front and rear rotors since if I do Im going slotted and/or drilled like the EBC rotors.

Also are all Cooper S R56 rotors the same size other then the JCW models? The 2011 models do have some changes but I dont know if they pertain to the brakes.

It looks like I need a special tool for the piston, is this something that I can rent like at an Auto Zone etc?

Anyone have SS lines and can recommend some and performance rotors if I decide to do those also?

Here are a few sites I have been looking at:

Cooper Sport
Detroit Tuned
Way Motor Works

 

+1 Been thinking about doing the same thing...

 

I'll admit to being prejudiced, but I recently put on EBC's slotted and dimpled (not drilled) Sport rotors with Red Stuff pads and am very happy with them. They take forever to bed in, +500mi, but it's worth it. Brake dust is greatly reduced, peddle feel is much improved and I've yet to fade them even on a trip thru the Rocky and Bear Tooth Mts. Heavy rain didn't effect them at all. I also have NM's SS lines and the improved brake feel hasn't changed in +30K. BTW, whatever you decide on, DON'T go cheap on brakes. It could cost you dearly!

 

Yeah I never have gone cheap on them. I like the look of the EBC rotors but Im not sure if they make a rear set for the 2011s yet.

The Detroit Tuned kit looks very promising as its both front and rear.

 

The brakes are not changed from the 2010 R56 to the 2011 so you can get the same R56 rotors and pads.
We've found the Redstuff pads to be great, but yes they take longer to bed in than other pads but well worth it. I would def recommend these pads.
SS brake lines are also a good addition and you can use some good Motul Brake fluid. Just don't use the ATE blue as the dealers commonly freak out and scream warranty problems with it. The Motul is amber so they never know.

 

Does EBC make rear rotors for the R56 also? I would like to do both front and rear if Im going to do rotors.

 

EBC does make rear Sport rotors for the R56. I got mine from placeforbrakes.com for $257 with a 15% discount and free shipping. Ordered them on a Mon. AM and they were on the porch Tues. PM! I'd call them to check on price and to confirm them fitting on a 2011.

 

Thanks for the info DW!