Which brake pads?

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Discussion

Grunt not revs

Original Poster:

23 posts

48 months

Monday 8th April
quotequote all
It's been a while since I went track-daying - few years racing, then a few years defecting to bikes, but the itch is back.

So, standard-ish 2008 Mini Cooper S R56. What brake pads should I fit? CL, Tarox, DS2500/3000, EBC...?

I'll be dropping some high temp brake fluid into it too.

White-Noise

4,543 posts

255 months

Monday 8th April
quotequote all
I run ds11.1 on my clio which I can't fault, they really have been superb.

I have ds2500 on my road car, I really rate them but I presume they won't hold up to hard use.

I used PBS once but I suffered terrible vibration once they got any heat into them so I went back to the ferodo.

I matched all with Brembo HC. George at roadtrackrace was great with advicewhen I was getting started so I buy from him. I told him I raced karts and he said ah OK you will need the ds11.1 over the ds2500 and he was right, so I would say that same point to yourself given you know how to push with your experience! smile

Hope that helps.

Turbojuice

607 posts

96 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
The ideal compound will depend on your use case (i.e. is the car an all out track car, is it a daily, or in between), but I can vouch for Winmax pads. I'm running their W5 compound at the moment which are their "entry level race pad" and they've been mega. Zero fade, barely any wear, and they even work quite well on the road too. Quite dusty as is expected but I've found them pretty quiet as long as you make sure all the important sliding surfaces are well lubed with ceramic paste. Before these I ran PBS pads because they seemed really great value, but I had a similar experience to the previous poster; Vibrations, fading, and poor wear.

Other brands to consider that I hear good things about are Endless and Dixcel. Personally I wouldn't touch EBC, CL are very good only thing of note is I've seen a few stories of pads seperating from backing plates if the car is left out in the rain with the handbrake on for an extended period of time (may not be a problem for yourself), and DS2500's do a job but they're a really really old compound now and I think something like a Dixcel Z Type or Endless MX72 fill the role of "fast road" or "road & track hybrid" pads much much better. Haven't got much knowledge on DS3000 or Tarox pads so can't comment on those.

E-bmw

9,971 posts

159 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
Another vote for Ds1.11.

Used them to great effect on R53 & E36 several times, last a year and still with meat left on the bone when changed each year.

Another condemnation for EBC plasticine pads.

ETA.
I am sure you already know this but be VERY VERY careful of the engine.

Be VERY religious with oil level & quality at the bare minimum.

Grunt not revs

Original Poster:

23 posts

48 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
Always open to advice and observations. I'm now looking at what might be the best oil for the R56 N14. Thankfully it's already had a new turbo, timing chain and head service.