Mini Copper S brakes - spongy?
 

Girlfriend has just picked up her new Mini Copper S (good girl!). The only negative point she can find about it, is that the brakes feel spongy. When they do bite, they provide good stopping power but it's that initial feeling that lacks confidence.

She's never driven my Scoob so has nothing but her other cars to compare with but I had a go with it last night and I have to agree with her. I did think at first it was just the brakes bedding in but it's now got approx 300 miles on the clock.

Anyone found the same/different? Comments appreciated.

BTW - engine nice and lively but above all the handling is to die for - I did'nt understand what all the fuss was about until I drove it :D

The Cooper S's I have driven have all had adequate rather than good brakes. This was especially evident in the MCS works which could really do with an upgrade.

Top little motors apart from that though.

Mini2 forum offer advice on brake upgrades.

Hi Wilf,

Thanks for the post.

When you drove the Cooper S's did the first part of the travel in the brake pedal feel spongy before the brakes bit?

Just trying to suss out if all Cooper S's are like this and to get an upgrade or as to whether it's an actual fault and throw it back at the dealership...

That was my only niggle when I tested it, they were like the breaks on my dads old Mondeo diesel his company made him have before he earnt lots of cash and started getting proper motors. I got used to them near the end of the test but i didn't like them. Especially after testing the CTR which is generally an all-around - great motor.

I am sure she'll get used to them, bare with it, otherwise they'll have to come off and put on some brembos :D

Mintex 1144's should sort them out....not much money either...

I'd give it a few hundred miles first, the BRAKES need bedding in a little first

Ian see how it is after 500 miles.. if that hasnt done it, get a set of braided brake lines on and swap the fluid for DOT 5.1

Dont spend money before doing the above..

David

I have just been told this about DOT 5.1;

Apparently it is great for track use as long as you are prepared to change it every month :confused:

Darren

Cheers all for the comments - much appreciated.

We'll run it as is to the first service (1000 miles) and then go with the cheap option of the braided hoses and fluid (whichever one is best) as the next step forward if nothing has improved.

She also did a track day at Elvington on Saturday in a "well run in" Mini Cooper and reckoned the brakes were no better/worse so it looks like we'll defo have to do something...

I'd say give it a little longer to bed in too:)

I wonder if the pads are glazed, maybe repeat the running in sequence? I.e. warm them up then give them some good stops from 70ish...

Brakes are a weak point on my cooper s as well. Afaik the brakes are the same for all mini's, so the S has the same set up as the 90hp One. Mine's done nearly 6000 on a 04 plate, and there still rubbish! Although that might be something to do with a small power increase!