Owners of other MINI models or some smaller BMW vehicles such as the Cooper S, "JCW" John Cooper Works, Convertible, Hatch, Clubman, One, One First, One D, Coupe, Roadster, Countryman, Paceman, 3 Series, 318i, 328i, 320i, 323i, 325i, 330i, 340i, 230i, M240i, M2, M3, M4, i3, 228i, 230i, 128i, 135i, Z3, Z4 and Z8 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools and other items needed to complete this front brake job procedure include a 17mm socket with a 1/2" drive breaker bar (or a lug nut wrench), a floor jack, two jack stands, a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet, a 17mm wrench, a tube of brake caliper grease and an "F" clamp.

A few compatible sets of new front brake pads with their part numbers include the following: Monroe DX1308W, Power Stop Z23-1308 and Wagner ThermoQuiet MX1308.

Engage the emergency / parking brake and place wheel chocks on both sides of the rear tires to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Slightly loosen the five lug bolts on the front wheel by turning them about 1/2 to 1/3 turn in the counterclockwise direction with the tire iron or a 17mm socket with a 1/2" drive breaker bar or ratchet.

Carefully raise the front of the car with the floor jack and securely support it with at least two jack stands.

I prefer to only work on one side of the car at a time to keep three tires on the ground for extra safety.

Spin out the five lug bolts and set them aside in a safe place.

Carefully pull off the front wheel and set it aside.

Once the front wheel has been removed, you'll be able to see the rotor, bracket, caliper and suspension.

Loosen the lower caliper bolt by turning it in the clockwise direction (as seen from the outside of the car) with a 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet.

If the caliper slider pins moves as you are attempting to loosen the caliper bolt, hold the pin in place with a 17mm wrench.

Spin out the two caliper bolts and set them aside in a safe place.

Rest the caliper on the top of the rotor or suspend it from the suspension with a bungee cord or some twine.

Try to avoid pulling, bending, kinking or stressing the rubber brake fluid hose.

Pull the old inner brake pad out of the bracket.

If your new set of front brake pads includes a bag of replacement brake hardware, remove the old pad abutment clips out of the top and bottom of the bracket.

Clean off the bracket, rotor and caliper with brake parts cleaner spray.

If your MINI has been exhibiting shuddering or vibrations in the front end while braking, you may need to replace the old OEM rotors with new rotors.

To replace the rotors, remove the Torx set screw on the outer face of the rotor, remove the two bolts on the back side of the bracket. Remove the bracket and slide off the old rotor. If you have trouble removing the old rusted on rotor, hit it with a rubber mallet to loosen it.

Tighten the bracket bolts to 110 Nm (81.13 lb-ft) of torque with a torque wrench.

Apply some brake parts lubricant grease to the new pad abutment clips where they will come in contact with the bracket or the new brake pads.

Push the new pad abutment clips (also known as "anti-rattle" clips) into the top and bottom of the bracket. Make sure the clips are fully seated.

In order for the caliper to operate smoothly, the two caliper slider pins or "guide bolts" need to be well lubricated.

Pull the caliper slider pins out of their rubber dust boots.

In order for the caliper to fit over the thicker new brake pads, the caliper piston needs to be pushed or "compressed" back.

Attach the "F" clamp to the caliper and use the back of an old brake pad to evenly distribute the pressure across the piston.

To access the brake fluid reservoir, you'll need to remove the plastic cover on the 12V automotive battery and the plastic cover near the driver side cowl and the windshield.

Twist off the brake fluid reservoir cap in the counterclockwise direction.

Removing the cap will allow the brake fluid to more easily travel back through the lines when you compress the piston.

Repeatedly check the fluid level in the reservoir to make sure it doesn't overflow.

Continue compressing the caliper piston until it is just about flush with the rubber dust boot that surrounds it.

Replace the reservoir cap as soon as possible by twisting it on in the clockwise direction.

If the reservoir is below the "MIN" (minimum) line, refill it with some fresh DOT 4 brake fluid.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic (easily absorbs moisture from the air), so it is very important that you don't leave the cap off for an extended period of time.

I recommend buying the Monroe DX1308W brake pads since they have excellent reviews on Amazon.

Push the two pads together until they are flush against the rotor.

Line up the bolt holes in the caliper with their corresponding holes in the caliper slider pins within the bracket.

Rather than replace the "microencapsulated" bolts, just apply a small amount of Loctite Blue thread locking liquid to the old bolts.

Then tighten the lower caliper bolt in the counterclockwise direction (as seen from the outside of the car) with the 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet to just past hand tight or to the 25 lb-ft (35Nm) of torque specification in the service manual.

Double check that both caliper bolts are tight before moving on to the next steps.

If your brake pedal has been feeling soft or spongy, you may have a few air bubbles or some water in the brake lines. It would be best to bleed the brake lines at this time.

The brake fluid bleeder valve is located on the back side of the caliper just below the top caliper bolt.

Carefully lower the car from the jack stands by using the floor jack.

Continue tightening the lug bolts in a criss-cross or star pattern to just past hand tight.

It would be best to use a torque wrench in order to tighten the lug bolts to 101 lb-ft (140 Nm) of torque as specified in the owner's manual.

Sit in the front driver's seat of the car and push down on the brake pedal a few times to restore the brake line pressure.

Be sure to record the brake pad change in your vehicle's service records.

For more, check out all of my MINI Cooper DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.