In early April, as GhostPepper closed in on 80,000 miles, I finally had a chance to take care a few maintenance items she had coming due.
Most importantly a full brake service was needed. A few days after ordering parts to do the brake job, one of the brake wear sensors was triggered. So, while there was a little life left in the brake pads, it was definitely time to get them swapped out for newer pads. I last replaced brake pads and rotors at around 38,000 miles, and while it was a bit before it was really needed, we were heading on a 5000+ mile road trip from Chicago, out to Jackson, Wyoming, and then onto Denver, Colorado, before heading back home. So being proactive seemed prudent. As it had been just about 42,000 miles since I last did a full brake service, it seems like 40,000 miles is my magic number.
Over the past 42,000 miles, I had been very happy with Way Motor Works EBC Red Brake Package, which bundles WMW rotors with EBC Red Stuff brake pads. There may be nicer, pricer brake kits out there, but for my purposes, this kit hits all the marks. So I re-ordered that brake package from WMW, along with new brake wear sensors, and some fresh Ate Type 200 DOT4 brake fluid from Detroit Tuned.
The last time I changed out brake pads, the brake wear sensors managed to not disintegrate on me as I removed them from the brake pad (amazingly). So I re-used them, figuring I could save the sensors I had purchased. Well, one of the brake wear sensors failed two weeks later, throwing the brake pad wear warning light, so I got to climb back under the car (and swear a whole lot) to swap the sensors out. While changing the brake wear sensors isn’t difficult, it’s more difficult than it needs to be. A pair of baby-Deadpool hands would really come in handy for that part of the job…especially the rear sensor connection.
Before any of the brake work could begin though, the brake calipers were in need of a fresh coat of paint. The G2 Caliper Paint held up well over the last 42,000 miles, but there were some noticeable paint chips. So once the brakes were disassembled, the calipers thoroughly cleaned, existing paint that didn’t want to come off was scored with a wire brush, then the calipers were cleaned again, before a fresh coat of G2 Caliper Paint applied. In red, of course…because red calipers add at least 5hp. At least.
After the calipers dried overnight, rotors were replaced, EBC Red Stuff brake pads were carefully slotted into the calipers, and everything was re-assembled, and torqued down to spec. Then I got to replace those damn brake wear sensors, and swore a lot a I struggled to get the old rear sensor disconnected, and the new one connected and securely zip-tied into place.
Finally, as it had been just over 2-years since I last flushed brake fluid, that was due. So out came the pressure bleeder, and 2-quarts of Ate Type 200 DOT4 brake fluid. The real issue I ran into was some gunk had accumulated in the driver-side rear caliper (because of my former dealer’s warranty brake job no doubt). However, it completely flushed out after probably a 1/4 quart of brake fluid ran though it.
Once the brake service was completed, summer wheels/tires were re-mounted, and the winter set was cleaned up and stored until late-November (hopefully!).
With the immediate need of brakes done, I can see a few maintenance items out there on the horizon…
A new battery is probably going to be needed sooner than later, as the original battery approaches 6-years old. Then will come the fun of figuring out how to register the battery to the car. Which seriously, when did swapping a car battery require a trip to the dealer to do the coding, or spending $150 or so on software to do the coding myself? Modern automobiles are great, until they are annoying.
A coolant system flush will be done by 100,000 miles. Even though MINI claims it’s lifetime (or maybe it was long-life 150k mile) fluid, I’m going to split he difference with this one.
Last of the items that is on my radar are control arm bushings. The stock bushing are still holding up pretty well, but I know the time will come. When they are due, they will be replaced with Powerflex bushings, and will likely involve a bit of front suspension maintenance…control arm bushings, ball joints, sway bar bushings, etc. The different polyurethane control arm bushing made on my R53 was nothing short of amazing, so I’ve been sold on them since.
That’s what I can see at the moment. I’m sure something will pop-up between now and then. My R55 hasn’t been nearly as bullet-proof as my R53 was, but that’s another post for another day.
