Fitting my JCW Mini Roadster with a Mini Challenge Big Brake Kit

I recently visited Alcon to see how they make and test high performance brakes. At the end of the visit I picked up a set of Mini Challenge race brakes for my Mini Roadster JCW. To add to that I bought rear discs and pads, along with to other required kit from my friends at Lohen to upgrade my car to the very best brake set up you can get. All this in preparation for Goodwood's track day!
In this video I pop in to MW UK to see my mate Jack and watch him transform my car. If you live on the south coast and need someone to look after you Mini then give Jack a call...
MW UK (Independant Mini Specialist)
Address: Unit 20, Church Farm, Bosham, Chichester PO18 8EX
Phone: [phone]
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#PetrolPed #Automotive #BigBrakes

[@anonymouspdg6121]

Rear pad comparison. Not sure but you may have had the old pad upside down lol. Great video.

[@PetrolPed]

I did :-)

[@1BLUEMEANIE]

I thought I would STOP by and watch this😉 It had better stop after this setup, loads of life left on those rear pads 😂

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@timmartin7468]

Ruby is looking the biz now. Being given access to the workshop speaks volumes about Jack, MWUK and his team. Good job!

[@HawkMillFarm]

Good to see a young guy with technical and practical skills. Great little business.

[@PetrolPed]

Indeed 👍

[@TheRobJonker]

Cool brakes, have fun on your trackday

[@carcapturecollective]

My car in the background at the beginning ;) The brakes look so good btw!! 🤩

[@PetrolPed]

No way 👊👏👏

[@dickiemcvitie1752]

Quiet professionalism and high quality workmanship.. why can't all garages be like that?? Would have loved to come down to the day at Goodwood, but hey ho, sure there will be more in the future..??

[@PetrolPed]

He’s a good lad 👍

[@richardsheldon7473]

Ruby roadster looking good,pete,hey stay safe,looking forward to your Goodwood vlog,

[@PetrolPed]

It’s worth it…I made a passenger freak out big time 😜😂

[@kevinDG7]

Now she will stop like crazy. Great upgrade on the r59

[@PetrolPed]

She sure will 👍

[@gregoryuk]

Hmm. Upgrades. Neo said it first!

[@BMW7series251]

Looks like a diamond garage Pete. Very nice work.

[@PetrolPed]

It is mate 👍

[@neilbarden9430]

And now I know how good they are!

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@lukegrd7247]

Great build Pete! Enjoy :)

[@kevincross9206]

They look so cool (which is kind of ironic)! I like the fact, being the colour tart that I am, that the callipers are not all bright and shouty, but compliment the wheels a treat 👍🏻

[@PetrolPed]

Just need to make the rear ones the same colour 👍

[@ginggur17]

Hello pal, breaking news? There’s no STOPPING YOU now lmao. 😂😂😂🤜🤛👍👍🇬🇧

[@paulredding5864]

Proper brakes, proper job...sorted. Very nice indeed. That wheel bolt issue would catch most ppl out though and Alclad should provide a heads-up. 🤗

[@PetrolPed]

Most cars they supply would be on studs and it therefore would be a problem 👍

[@minimafia7616]

Excellent video lucky you because your mechanic know his cars 👍👍👍 Great upgrade for your Mini 👍

[@PetrolPed]

He sure does 👍

[@victorkuria8068]

Great video…and great promotion of clearly someone who not only knows his job but clearly cares how he does it just by watching him work…can’t wait to hear your feed back on the results!!

[@PetrolPed]

He’s a great mechanic 👍

[@davidblackwell7958]

Have been looking forward to this one for ages, they look amazing 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks David 👍

[@dangreasley7934]

These are great videos seeing how the real work is done.. Thanks Pedro... Keep 'em coming

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@tweez7817]

I had (factory fitted) Alcon’s on my 2017 308 GTi. 380mm up front! Keep an eye on the pistons in the callipers. They were notorious for seizing and mine did just that due to being chrome plated from factory which ultimately wears away. Hopefully Alcon have addressed that by now!

[@frasermacleod7642]

Fantastic upgrades Peter and they do look awesome. Ruby’s looking amazing and can’t wait to see how you get on at the track 😉👌🏻👍🏻

[@Rusky07]

Setup looks awesome Pete. I remember your first steps into modifying Ruby. She is turning into a proper track monster. 👍

[@coltoncleveringa8004]

Wow ruby looks so good with the new brake upgrades!! Can’t wait to hear your impressions of the improvements in a later video! Sir Pete ruby looks ace!

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Buddy 👍

[@jeffabbott463]

Great to see the full process. They look awesome mate.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Jeff 👍

[@gbthegreat]

Wonderful 👏🏽 top choice!

[@britishminiclub]

Those brakes look wicked and will make so much difference on the track for Ruby Roadster. We will definitely be sharing this video to our facebook page 👍

[@bizzie1956]

Great and interesting video again Pete

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Martin 👍

[@atb_massive_night9679]

Nice upgrade they look excellent. Will be keeping an eye out on Ebay for some JCW front callipers for sale locally, could do with upgrading mine..............

[@PetrolPed]

They are for sale if you want them 👍 ped [e-mail]

[@grahamknibbs5481]

Loving those Discs so ably fitted by Jack at MWUK. Great vid Pedro, can’t wait to hear your comments on your new found stopping power with this huge brake upgrade. Ruby looks damn AWESOME.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Mate 👍

[@id70b40]

Love these upgrade videos :)

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@robertshunter]

🎵 "I like 'em round, and big, doin' the hard brakin' gig... Even though I'm not a challenge for the Stig! But I gotta be straight when I say I want, to, drive 'til the break of dawn... Baby got it goin' on, rollin' with those big Alcons! A lot of simps won't like this song... But I'm down to get the friction on! Baby got brakes!" 🎵 🤣😂🤣

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@HQBProductions]

Well if I buy a Mini then I will want Jack to service it! He is methodical and careful…rare to see in many “ mechanics”these days. Those brakes should make a huge difference….it is a very long time since I did any upgrades but then it was mainly pads and curing hydraulic leaks! Good work…and don’t wear those pads out too fast…you didn’t say how much it all was..very wise in case Mrs PP caught you editing the video and asked awkward questions!! Stay safe..only breathe in when necessary! 😎😎😎😎Richard.

[@guylambrechts2303]

neat package! Guess it 'll stop as sharp as it looks. Love the grey theme in the front V the black and red on the back. Cheers

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Guy 👍

[@teggsy2165]

@Petrol Ped Good to see you kept the JCW's Roadster it will remain a very rare car in the future IMO:) Still loving my 2015 Mini Cooper S with just a resonator delete and a Pipercross lifetime air filter,oh and a very solid 4 channel TMC used tuning box simple mods but cheap and effective for now.

[@keithevans5667]

Evening Pedlerz! But are the brakes Joe Proof! 🤣

[@PetrolPed]

Not sure yet 🤔😂😂

[@richardallsop5039]

Hello again, Dear 'Mr petrol Ped', the 'lad' who changed the front calipers would of had the 'sack' back in the day for letting them just hang with no support, massive 'no no'. Great new brake kit which can mean zero if not fitted to spec !! Regards, RichardA.

[@PetrolPed]

Both front callipers had a bungie holding them up, they weren't hanging on the brake lines ;-)

[@johns14a]

Really like what you've done to this car over the years.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@Bommelle]

@@PetrolPed I have this car in the same colour, its the hard top version. also JCW

[@GenaF]

About bloody time Pete, 😂😂😂 How king has Ruby been waiting for this moment?

[@PetrolPed]

I know 😂

[@KCnLex]

Aesthetically, I prefer the caliper color being consistent and quite like the way the red calipers looked. (Although I have seen some black and yellow ones which were equally attractive.) But boy those are some big brakes! Really like the videos that show how things work and how they are installed and hope you do more.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers KC. Will do 👍

[@willstillo72]

Now all you need is a 6 point harness to stop you hitting the windscreen everytime you brake!! Enjoy!

[@PetrolPed]

That’s the next mod, along with seats 😜👍

[@shane21882]

Peugeot 308 GTi comes with 380mm Alcon discs, they have an issue where the caliper pistons are not stainless steel and prone to rusting seizing up and knackering disc, pads, pistons and caliper needing a refurb. Might wanna check if the pistons with them are stainless steel or not. God speed brakes supplied my upgraded pistons

[@B16KVB]

Really miss my R56, was the same colour scheme as ruby roadster. Brilliant cars!

[@PetrolPed]

They sure are 👍

[@fobysworld3764]

Love your videos. Is it possible to do a review of the 6 and 8 speed transmission in the F56?

[@bensharpe2013]

Good video Ped. If they stop as good as they look they will be brilliant! Reading through the comments have to laugh when after consulting the experts you get lots of "they've fitted them wrong, you bought the wrong ones, they are too big etc". Must drive you mad. We were wondering how to say Bosham correctly when we were there a couple of years ago. Now we know :-) Beautiful place.

[@PetrolPed]

You get used to it 😜😂😂

[@garrymatthews4430]

I used to store my caravan at that site know that well!!

[@PetrolPed]

No way 👍

[@georgedaville4662]

Great video Ped. Good to see a young guy at the top of his game servicing a single marque. The new kit looks as though it could stop a jumbo jet 😂😂

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers George 👍

[@philipparkes5682]

Hi Ped So Christmas has come early for Ruby Roadster, not a minute to soon by the look of those pads.😉 Front end looks really cool with those massive discs. Will be interested to have further reports when bedded in and comparison on both road & track.

[@stevie007]

Hi Peds 👌

[@PetrolPed]

Hi 👋

[@a1paulh911]

Great upgrades Pete, it would be interesting to compare the braking performance with your last MoT test results...👍

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@brumsgrub8633]

Such a good looking car isn't it

[@PetrolPed]

I think so 😜😂

[@harapaki3412]

Working on cars is MENS work!!!!

[@richarddocherty5007]

My OCD wouldn't have allowed me to re-fit red calipers to the rear, needs a fresh lick of silver to match the fronts.

[@PetrolPed]

That might well happen 👍

[@964cuplove]

I’d love to take over the front JCW breaks … Did you weigh the disks ?

[@500bht]

Waiting for your r53 auto 😮

[@PetrolPed]

Not long to wait now 👍

[@jasonmccullum9424]

Evening PED. When are you going to do more on the Electric Mini Cooper s???

[@PetrolPed]

Not sure 😬😜

[@jasonmccullum9424]

I’ve just ordered one and would love you do more on it and possible upgrades to it

[@londoncentral]

Just a retaining screw too stop the disc falling off on the production line Pete 😉👍

[@garyg3617]

Great, informative video. I have 2 questions. Do you know if there was any weight difference, disc’s plus callipers, on the front. As you needed longer studs on the front I assume that the track on the front has increased ie front wheels wider apart?

[@PetrolPed]

Not sure if the weight difference but the new discs are quite a bit heavier. You are right, the front track is a little wider by a few mm 👍

[@steveburland624]

Front calipers need to be painted red to match rears and car but I'm sure they'll be adequate stopping power.👍

[@PetrolPed]

Plan to paint the rears to match the fronts 👍

[@ldemetriou]

Those brakes look epic. Although I think you should have gone for red callipers to match the rears.

[@PetrolPed]

They don’t do them in red 😢 I need to paint the rears 😜👍

[@ldemetriou]

@@PetrolPed That's a shame.

[@richardcolver8136]

Is Jack , Lucy from Drivetribe’s brother.?

[@mrmawson2438]

Hello mate 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Hi 👋

[@julianr9873]

Great video. Amazing brakes. Just one problem, the new calipers are the wrong colour. Need to be red to match the rear and to blend in with the colour scheme for the car. Perhaps a video on painting your front brake calipers would be a good watch.

[@bertiecray8389]

Great video. Will you need to adjust the brake balance now you’ve changed the front and rear set up so much? Thinking of doing something similar with mine

[@PetrolPed]

Don’t think so but will monitor performance over the next month or so 👍

[@hkr4life]

whats the difference btw the stock disc and the Alcon one? kg pls

[@benhigginson9763]

Evening all 👋

[@francoisg3500]

Evening Ben! 👍🏻

[@GenaF]

Evening Ben 👋🏼

[@benhigginson9763]

Hi@@francoisg3500 👋

[@benhigginson9763]

Hi@@GenaF 👋

[@PetrolPed]

Hi 👋

[@robertsanders9068]

What has happened to the wear sensors??? Surely your dash must light up like a Christmas Tree without them? Suspect you must have deactivated them to run the rear pads so low - please tell all! - love your Mini videos 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Front sensors had a little gizmo to stop wear light coming on and the callipers don’t have one. Rears had a new sensor cable 👍

[@JulianJacobs100]

Could you have gone for larger discs on the front and back and put 19” wheels on like your Clubman?

[@PetrolPed]

Not sure an R Series Mini could wear 19s to be honest ;-)

[@jedibiker6911]

Look gawjus, can I ask ? What upgrade did you get for those lights?? Really bright

[@PetrolPed]

They are stock 👍

[@thomasbuttress9975]

Hi Peter, just wondering did you fit any brake master cycled non return valves also, when I was racing I found that after I fitted them didn't get any pedal movement at all, but on saying that your brakes look well up to the job, have fun and drive safe ...:)

[@PetrolPed]

No we didn’t. They work great on track but suffer from pretty bad brake squeal on the road 😬

[@mark_just_mark]

Evening all…

[@francoisg3500]

Evening Mark!

[@mark_just_mark]

@@francoisg3500 Managed to split you up tonight, another close one...

[@grahamwest1079]

Put studs on mine much easier when changing wheels and a racey look highly recommended and not too expensive.

[@PetrolPed]

Not a fan of the way studs look 😢😬

[@urswolf487]

It seems a bit strange to me when you install different systems/products at the front and rear. What does this mean for the brake power distribution?

[@PetrolPed]

The majority of stopping comes from the front 👍

[@zeadon]

What did you do with your old red JCW calipers, I have been looking for a pair to upgrade my cooper S, if you want to sell them on!

[@alanfg6225]

Shouldnt the grooves in the discs slope rearwards on the front, same as rear ?

[@PetrolPed]

Both sets were marked Left and Right and remember they are from different companies with different design traits 👍

[@SpecialReserve]

Presumably you wouldn't just upgrade the fronts, due to unbalancing the braking for the front to rear ratio?

[@PetrolPed]

Yep, and also the rear discs and pads were knackered 😂

[@DABroke]

Great informative video. I am surprised though that a check for any disc run out did not appear to have been done. Quite often if the a new disc is mounted on a used hub and there is any sort of debris on the surfaces, it will result in the disc have an amount of run out which will mean over time the disc will wear incorrectly, manifesting itself in vibration under heavy braking.

[@PetrolPed]

I didn’t include every process in the video. Getting the discs mounted and running true took quite a while 👍

[@DABroke]

@@PetrolPed Thats good. I remember on one car where i changed discs it took forever too get them seated correctly so they ran true. So many people don't bother and then wonder why the discs become distorted over time. I bet it stops a lot better now!!

[@PetrolPed]

Sure does !

[@Lee_JCW]

Can I ask a question I see they do stage 2 mapping on Mini cooper s I have r56 jcw booked in to lohen end off month but see your friend is closer would you say is same as lohen cheers

[@PetrolPed]

They both know there stuff 👍

[@alreid779]

Hi what size wheel spacers did you use and was this so rims cleared new brakes

[@PetrolPed]

Hi Al. No wheel spaces used mate.

[@chrisbelgrade7902]

Did you change the brake lines going to the calipers to stainless steel

[@PetrolPed]

Yes. Braided Goodrich hoses 👍

[@chrisbelgrade7902]

Cool beans, the upgrades look great

[@dr.s.p.]

I went onto Alcon’s web site to try and find your new brake kit, but sadly went around in circles without a glimmer of hope I’m afraid. What is the exact name and model, or perhaps where you got yours from?

[@PetrolPed]

I got them direct from Alcon kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIKWq4GYl9uqiKs

[@dr.s.p.]

@@PetrolPed - Terrific! Thank you so much for perfectly answering my rather lame question. It’s just that I’m the proud owner of a Mini Clubman JCW and at a young age of 73 and a lifetime of sports cars, big cars and otherwise great cars, I’ve come to really love my Tardis like Mini go-cart. It has everything I need as an everyday car and the little (often big) smile it puts on my face every time I drive. The first car I ever drove was a mini in early sixties and I guess closed the loop with this car. The Mini community is great.

[@jonah406]

Did you consider EBC Yellowstuff pads at all? I run them on my Focus ST, be interested to hear your opinion.. Also be interested to hear thoughts on braided brake lines, some say yes, others no, and yes those pads will squeak 😃

[@PetrolPed]

Alcon recommended Pagid for the front and Lohen recommended Mintex for the rear. They squeal big time when cold 😂

[@jonah406]

@@PetrolPed I get the same squeal from EBC pads, 😄

[@daviddenley3512]

That wasn't right was it Pedro, you told your mate that you'd got everything but you'd forgotten the proverbial Anchor!

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@baccattack]

And the change in unsprung weight was? Time to get Ruby on the scales, be interested to see how she stacks up to the official figures given all the work you've had done.

[@PetrolPed]

That would be interesting. The new discs are heavier for sure 👍

[@joffbrown]

Is that Lucy from drive tribe brother ?

[@johnbrown3951]

That was an interesting film but my car OCD would not allow grey caliper at the front and red at the rear with a gun metal disc at the front and black at the rear and you have lost your JCW caliper as well. I suppose if your are tracking the car it needs to stop but aesthetically not so good looking.

[@PetrolPed]

I might paint the rear calliper. Fronts are trade mark Alcon so they are staying like that. Rear disc was only black until the first time I hit the brakes then they turned shiny 😜😂

[@johnbrown3951]

@@PetrolPed That's the way I would do it. I will be able to rest easier now that you have averted "brake gate" for me. You see I like the rally flaps but the caliper colour would not rest easy for me. To be fair I like a red caliper as an accent but can see your reasoning for the Alcon brakes. Who wouldn't want their mini to wear brakes that Aston's wear.

[@adrianwynne4236]

Don’t paint the front calipers red,paint rear calipers to match the colour of the Alcon front calipers👍🏻

[@PetrolPed]

That’s the plan 👍

[@peterbarber8053]

Be careful Pete, I think you may end up with whiplash every time you brake! I bet it will be good to drive a Mini with decent brakes. The brakes on my F54 were never particularly great.

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@mrlv8126]

Hello Pete

[@PetrolPed]

Hi 👋

[@cockney_red8349]

No copper slip?

[@PetrolPed]

Nope. That may reduce squeal but compromises performance 👍

[@wadehampton4499]

I realise that you use Ruby for track days and auto tests so a brake upgrade probably makes sense but, given the amount of aggro, extended bolts, very expensive pads and deletion of the cable connecting the wear sensors, I seriously wonder if it's really worth it on a car which is going to be used mainly on the road.

[@BobMonkeypimp]

It's not really that much agro though, is it.

[@PetrolPed]

Simple answer to that…I am a KZbinr 😜 Seriously though after all the other work done on the car the old brakes were just not up to it any more 😢

[@wadehampton4499]

@@PetrolPed That's a good point !

[@andyhopton]

Is Jack, Lucy "Drivetribe" Browns brother? I'm sure I've seen her in that garage

[@GenaF]

Just loving the sound of Ruby growling in to have her brakes done. She sounds much nicer when growling rather than the silly popping. Is the lad fitting these, the one who did Charley's rally flaps? PS omigosh I just googled the price of those pads. I've had to take a lie down 🛌 I have come over all funny.

[@PetrolPed]

Yes. Jack fitted my flaps 👍 I plan to have the pops and bangs removed from the map next year 👍

[@PetrolPed]

On and don’t Google the discs and callipers. That is scary 😂

[@GenaF]

@@PetrolPed 😂😂😂 the pads freaked me out enough

[@GenaF]

@@PetrolPed So glad the silly pops n bangs will be gone. I saw a video of a young man on KZbin changing his fake engine sound on his f56 cooper S for that of a JCW (not pops n bangs, just a deeper beefy sound) via the ASD (active sound design) on Bimmercode so I tried to do mine and ASD didn't even show up on the Bimmercode app. I msgd them and sent logs from my app and the chap asked if I had the ASD ECU on the inside of my car above the nearside rear wheelarch. I said to him that I should have it as my Cooper S is a 2020 and he said he thought they all had it too. So I got my hubby in the back of my car removing panels and sound proofing, he even put an inspection camera in there only to find I haven't got one. I'm not bothered, it's not like I had fake noise annoying me as I'd never heard it but I felt that IF I had to have a fake noise, I was going to have a roar. I can only assume that not fitting one was maybe an oversight when it was on the production line 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@mark_graham]

Hey Pete. Please, look after Ruby; she's fragile, don't brake her !!! OK, I'll get my jacket.....

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@garethedwards2883]

The brakes look awesome Pete but you could of washed the car at least.

[@PetrolPed]

I know…just didn’t have time for that but did before the track day. Even re did the belt line 👍

[@garethedwards2883]

@@PetrolPed I bet the brakes were absolutely amazing on track.

[@CastroS14]

Hi Petrol ped i don’t mean to be a party pooper But I started following your channel when you had ruby and Charlie but I feel for them , they don’t come up on your channel anymore and I’m getting the feeling your bored of Mini now . I love your Mini content , but not much around anymore. I hope they get screen time soon , it’s not the same with the random cars , bikes 😂

[@PetrolPed]

Hi Gary. My Minis are of course a key part of the channel but I never intended to be a Mini only channel. I try and do as much as I can with them. Actually filmed something with Charlie yesterday and something else next week. I always try and bring an eclectic mix of content. Hope you understand 👍

[@mrmawson2438]

I'm sure it will stop better 😂

[@garrymatthews4430]

Are you going to paint them red!!!

[@PetrolPed]

No. I’m thinking of painting the rear callipers to match the front 👍

[@jonlarsen7771]

Can’t wait to see how much better Ruby performs on track day!

[@francoisg3500]

First!! Evening all! Hope everyone has a lovely week!

[@GenaF]

Evening François!