Hey all,
Just was talking to my MA and she said the price for the JCW brake kit installed was $1660. Sound comparable to what others have paid?

I know I could do it myself pretty easily, but the advantage to having my dealer do it is I can build the price into the financing. From what I understand this is one of the better values for JCW parts so if this is a reasonable amount I will go ahead, otherwise I will wait, pay out of pocket, and get it or something aftermarket to install myself

Thanks!
Joel

 

it is highly questionable of the JCW brakes performance. but for your question, of course it is a better value than any other application, just because of the name i guess. Very personal choice....

 

So for the money is there a better option out there? Not questioning your judgement, just don't want to throw down the hard earned bucks then be upset with the results. What is a better option, in your opinion for the $1600. All the Brembo kits are way more money, what about Stoptech??

Do I even need to go to new calipers if all I am doing is aggressive street/cross driving? Would pads, lines and rotors be enough??

Thanks fo all the help, as you can tell I am pretty much a newbie to all this!!

Joel

 

Joel,


Yes, there are way better brakes out there for the money.
In my opinion the best deal out there are the TCE Wilwoods.
Of course with any aftermarket brake system, you need to be careful what wheels you use to clear them. I use the largest TCE fronts and have found that many aftermarket wheels fit them .

Yes, you can do just fine with upgraded pads and fluid, and braided SS lines. There are many Minis that race with these mods being the class they race in does not permitt more upgrades. I would bet that you could get your stock system working almost as good as the JCW kit, but will never get it to work nearly as well as the TCE (and other BBKs)

I will tell you though that the stopping power of my TCE system is fantastis and on the track it seems that I can out brake everyone.

Take your time on these mods and think them out. What is it that you want from your Mini?

 

Just to add to what Greg posted, I believe the cost/installation of the Wilwoods would very price competitive with the JCW setup; perhaps cheaper. In addition, I think you can use a variety of pads with the Wilwoods but the JCW kit will only accept JCW pads.

Theo

 

Does the kit still go for $1095, off the shelf? If so, they are hitting you up (ripping you off) for >$500 in labor to install. I installed my own in just under an hour, including the bleed and a tyre rotation. Granted I have access to a lift and every applicable tool at work, but even in my garage at home I could have done it in less than 2 hrs.
IMO save the $500 for some other mods, do the work yourself!

 

I agree.. I've seen this kit installed in about an hour. And you should be able to get the kit much less if you look around a bit.

 

I avoided the jcw brakes, primarily due the current lack of race brake pad selection.... the stock calipers have numerous options for full race pads... and with ducting are a viable option for track use....

 

What pad does the JCW caliper accept? I doubt it is a "one of" caliper. Coming from the BMW world, it seemed 80% of the pads were the same for BMWs (almost all the cars incl M cars used the same rear pad and M3 brakes were really 5 series brakes, etc.

The rotors and calipers might have been different. I assume it is an ATE caliper which would have a number of applications.

Is there a Hawk, Pagid or Performance Friction cross reference?

 

Everyone is giving you different answers because everyone has different needs.

Some people want or need bigger/maybe better brake kits because they like to race their cars on a track. Other people could care less about racing. You need to decide what your needs may be.

$1660 installed in probably standard MINI, if you want to do your self, Sterling advertising $905 shipped free.

 

Thanks for all the great replies! I am really not gonna be racing this car as it will be my daily driver. I am doing CAI, 15% SC pulley, Alta 22mm sway, and H-sport spring intially.


I know I could do the install myself way cheaper, but getting the price built into the financing makes some sense to me. I didn't opt for the full JCW kit as I think for the money it offers less value. I should be able to come close to the hp rating with the above mods, a Webb modified ECU and Milltek exhaust.

In the end I still think I will go with the kit. I may regret it down the road if I get into track racing/driving more, but I can always upgrade to the TCE setup then (big financial changes in the next 2 years will make the cost no issue).

Thanks all!!

 

I can say first hand the kit feels and performs fantastic on the track. Best of luck with the new car!

 

.... that's what I thought when I bought mine! ....

 

Danger! Danger! Slippery slope ahead!

I know it is all down hill from here. Looking at the list of mods I have put together already I can see where this is going, but as the saying goes:
" 'de nile's not just a river in Egypt":smile:

Really appreciate all the help. And I am sure once I have less hours at work, my son is more than 1 year old, and more funds become available we will be seeing each other at the local tracks!!

Cheers,
Joel

 

The TCE Wilwood seems to be the best brake for the money on the market. I say that and I run Brembos. (The Brembo BBK is great, but it costs a mint.)

I could put a brand new front Wilwood kit on my car for less than the cost of Brembo 320 mm rotors and hats. Plus, they will fit with far more wheels before you need spacers.

The JCW kit is nice, but like the JCW kit, it's a conservative amount of modification for the money involved.

 

With all the brake set ups available for the Mini I would think you could test several different set ups. At least start out at the dealer and ask them for a car to test they should have one available

 

Thanks. I don't think I could say it any better.

Are there some kits out there that could be considered 'better'? I'll agree that the answer in some ways can be yes. And I could produce a product that matches it part for part. But then I too would be in the $1800-2500 range and that's just not my market. I've worked hard to target the majority of my products in the $1200-1500 range while offering a kit that I know will do as I say and provide for the needs of 98% of those who are shopping.

The other 2% can justify the needs for more 'high tech' if they feel it's needed. And that's fine, there are companies who cater to this quite well. For me it's always been about the value, not the name or the bling.