It's time to replace the pads on my '04 MC and I'm looking for suggestions. About my driving: I plan to use these mainly on the road with maybe 2-3 trips to the mountains, 6 or so auto-x events, and maybe 1 or 2 HPDE's this year (assuming my schedule allows). I have been autocrossing for almost three years now (my main auto-x car is a 99 Miata, the MINI is my DD), so I feel like I'd probably drive a bit harder on the HPDE's than most new people do (though I've never done a HPDE before).

I've heard good things about Hawk HPS and Carbotech Bobcats but haven't experienced either (or anything on the MINI other than OEM) so I'm open to any suggestions. I don't care about dust (my wheels are gunmetal gray so brake dust mainly blends with it anyway), so don't let high/low dust effect any suggestions.

 

I wouldnt run the Bobcats on your MINI for that driving outline. Think about the Carbotech AX6 pads. Details at http://www.autoxcooper.com/carbotech_track_pads.html

If you runthe AX6 make sure everyone wearing a seat belt, they will put you in the dash one customer told me to print bumper stickers that say

 

I've been very happy with Hawk ceramics. I don't sell them, just use them & like them.

I bought them here....

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...mic_brake_pads

 

+1 on the Hawk ceramics.
About the same stopping and feel as OEM and very low dust.

 

CarboTechs are AMAZING!!

 

How are the AX6's about sound? I didn't think to put it in my OP but I don't want all out track pads because I've heard how my friend's EVO sounds with them (was behind him in stop & go traffic after a track weekend where he didn't have time to swap back to street pads) and I don't want to explain to my family / [non-car] friends that "yes, my brake pads squeak; no, they don't need to be replaced."

 

The AX6 may give off some noise under light braking pedal, such as low speed stop and go traffic, some have reported it others don't seem to notice. Yes the track pads are likely to make noise, the AX6 not so much.

 

i run carbotech XP8's and they aint for those that want quite of gentle lol, all my mates who are regular passengers know when and how hard to hang on now lol

 

I agree with that! The XP8 and the AX6 are amazing! You don't want to run any of the street pads on the track, they will fade on you for sure. That 3000 pound beast your throwing around the track will tear through them! Get the Xp8, not so bad for DD, a little anti-squeal gel and I never hear a thing!

 

I use both HPS and Ceramic depeding on the car.
My track car has Blue and HP +

I am a Hawk fan personally.

Alex

 

I recently put the bobcats on and attended two different auto-x events. They were great in that type of driving and never showed a sign of fade.

When I get a chance to get some more track type driving would AX6 pads up front and keeping bobcat pads in the rear be safe or better to swap all around? When switching between carbotech pads nothing needs to be done to the rotors right?

 

The Bobcat 1521 are great for AutoX, but please don't take them to the track on the front or rear. The AX6 is very limited on tracks and best for tracks of low speed and little braking demand and really how much fun would that track be.

For track events please run the XP8 in the rear and XP10's in the front. You can also AutoX those pads. You can also run any combo of CT pads on the same rotors without issue.