My '03 Cooper S is in the shop today, its first visit to the dealer now that it is out of warranty, and I have to have the rear brakes done to the tune of $430. New pads and rotors. Ouch, plus they got $150 for a 40,000 mile service, which I now find out is mostly an oil change.

After that call from the dealer this morning, when I stupidly OK'd the work to be done I came to the forums (from work!) and saw how easy a DIY job it is to change the pads. I have done a search and read the threads on doing the fronts and believe I have all the tools except a torque wrench and the brake pusher tool (but I have a large C-clamp).

I only drive a street driven Mini and haven't been autocrossing in years. I drive quickly but have never out driven the brakes. In the past I have replaced rotors and pads on my other cars with my only bad experience being on my VW Passat when the Brembo OEM replacement rotors would warp/wobble after a hard stop. I'd like to avoid that problem if possible.

A couple of questions:
1. I now need to do this on the cheap, so any recommendations on sources of OEM or otherwise reliable replacement rotors? I tried ecartoys.com and the rotor prices seems decent @ $50 apiece. But they do not have EBC pads.
2. So how about a source for pads? I like the sound of EBC green - much less dust.
3. Is it necessary to buy a Bentley manual ($65 plus shipping from Amazon) or are the DIY threads sufficient?
4. Is Sears still a good source for torque wrenches? I heard that they are one of the few Craftsman tools that do not have a lifetime guarantee. Alternatives?

Thanks in advance!
Stuart
Cheshire, CT, USA

 

Ok, never mind on the "source" questions as I just ordered OEM style ATE rotors and Mintex RedBox pads from www.ecartoys.com for just over $120 including free shipping (a big deal on something as heavy as rotors).

How about questions 3 and 4, re: the Bentley manual and a good source for a torque wrench?

 

The Bentley manuals are nice but not required. You would be hard pressed to find a job not covered on the internet somewhere. I do a LOT of my own car work (otherwise I couldn't afford all the cars I have) and use the internet extensively. As far as the torque wrench, I have one of the Sear's Craftsman wrenches that I've used for years. Just take very good care of it (don't drop it and set it to the minimum when you're done) and you should have no problems. Good luck

 

One other item....I would HIGHLY recommend buying a Peake code reader if you intend to keep your MINI for the foreseeable future and want to do your own work. Allows you to reset your oil service/inspection mileages and read/reset engine fault codes. I have one for the wife's BMW. She had a check engine light Monday on her way home from work. I broke out the Peake code reader, it told me the car had a faulty exhaust camshaft position sensor, I went to a BMW forum, found out where the sensor was and how to change it out, picked up one the next morning from my local dealer, changed it out, reset the fault codes and car is back to like new. I'm sure that one event paid for the code reader, although I've used it a couple times already to reset the oil service intervals also. www.peakeresearch.com