Hi guys, I've been checking out the calipers and while I cant afford them yet, one day. I read here that they arent the best, but has any one had any new ones tested lately? Because THe geniune S ones are a bit average, but cause of my 10" rims I cant get bigger brakes..
CHeers Brett

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I've got a pair and have just bedded them in, I think they work really well. I can only directly compare them to the 8.4" discs on my Rover (which are assisted) and got to say I prefer the 4 pot calipers. SGC on here has the same minispares ones and I believe he is quite happy. The only issue I had is that I did not have a lot of pedal travel put I now seem to have a lot more as the brakes have bedded in and the pedal feel (and confidence) is excellent. My only gripe is that it does limit the choice of 10 inch wheel you can have. Say for instance you were going to get some Rosepetals you might need to take a bit off the caliper to have enough clearance. I've been told by a couple of reputable Mini mechanics that this is not an issue and can be done and has no impact on safety but not sure how keen you are to do this on a new set of brakes you've just purchased.

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1970 Mini Deluxe - 1275, Weber, Clive 346 cam, MS 4-pot slotted discs, Megajolt ignition Now with new improved Mambas... almost on the road
1966 Van with Traveller rear seat conversion
2008 Prado GXL
All in various states of repair...

Yep, like Dave says I have the Mini Spares alloy 4-potters (NOT the Mini Sport ones, they apparently are a bit more flimsy and give soggy pedal feel as they flex).

I couldn't be happier with them, I've driven Cooper S discs (unassisted) and they're much heavier to use.. unassisted, mine need only as much pedal effort as the old drums did. Feel is good, confidence is way up there (particularly with good tyres), plus there's the novelty factor of having something a little different The only downside to the 4-potters is that with the standard brake master cylinder the pedal travels about one quarter stroke before the brakes really start to work as they take more fluid to move the pads.

Wheels are a problem though, I've not tried many but so far only my standard-offset Contessa's will fit and that's a close thing.

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

my bad, I've got the Minispares ones too, (should have read the post properly).

I've actually got quite a good pedal (at least 1/2 to 3/4 the total pedal travel) which is where the pedal was when I had drums and they were adjusted. However, where as the drums was like stamping my foot on concrete and hoping something would happen, with thes discs you can actually feel pressure build up.

I've got the tin brake reservoir, not sure what size piston though. Simon from memory you've got the plastic type.

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1970 Mini Deluxe - 1275, Weber, Clive 346 cam, MS 4-pot slotted discs, Megajolt ignition Now with new improved Mambas... almost on the road
1966 Van with Traveller rear seat conversion
2008 Prado GXL
All in various states of repair...

If you HAVE to get some, get the Mini Spares ones. Havn't heard the greatest reviews from the Mini Sport ones.

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If you think they arent all that good, go back to single leading drums

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Dean Hutton's first car was a Mini.

I've got Minisport 4 pots. (vented, 7.9" non servo, rubber brake hoses.)

I love them. I had a heap of trouble bleeding them and just couldn't get the pedal above 1/2 height. So I took them to the pros to get vacuum bled and haven't looked back.

Full pedal time after time. I have had a little fade, but only after a test I did that was 0-150-0-150-0-150-0 but considering how fast I get to 150 its not really that surprising to have fade. (I am also using the std pads that came with the calipers.)

Not sure how people have measured the "flex" of the calipers, but I've watched mine statically (in the garage with someone else stomping on the anchors as I watch the brakes) and couldn't see any visible movement there. the rubber hoses will balloon much before the billet alloy calipers will flex, in my opinion.

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-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

I've also got the Minispares 4 pot KAD disc calipers with vented rotors and find they are very good. Certainly a little loss in pedal travel compared to the "S" setup that I took off but the braking is definitely improved and I guess that if a booster were to be installed, they would perform fantastic with little pedal pressure.

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1964 998 Cooper , 1968 Morris 1100