Maybe someone can tell me if I am just unlucky or if this is how these cars are. I have a 2018 MINI Cooper S that I love, it is fun to drive and parking it anywhere is easy. But the brakes are costing me more than I expected. This is the third time in two years that I am hearing that scraping sound from the front wheels, and the car only has about 54,000 kilometers. My old Honda went almost four years on one set. Last week I noticed the steering wheel shaking a little when I brake coming off the highway, and the wheels get covered in black dust only a few days after washing. I do drive a bit hard sometimes because the car feels so sporty, and I admit I brake late at signals. My cousin says that is the whole reason and I should just slow down. A friend who owns a BMW says the German cars use softer pads for better grip, so they wear faster, and that is normal. I read a page from a workshop in Dubai about MINI brake pads, and it explained that the pads, discs and sensor all wear together, and that cheap parts can make noise or wear even quicker. That made me think maybe the last garage used some weak brand, because they never told me what they fitted. Money is a bit tight this month, so I typed Affordable MINI Cooper brake pad replacement in Dubai into my phone, but I am scared that cheap means bad quality. How do you find the balance? Is it okay to pick a good aftermarket brand instead of the original, or will it wear out again in a year? Also, do the discs need to be changed every time, or can they be cleaned and reused if they are still thick enough? I heard the sensor wire has to be replaced too, and I am not sure if that is true or just a way to add to the bill. And one more thing, does the way you drive really change how long the pads last that much? If you own a MINI, please tell me how many kilometers you get from a set and what you paid. Thanks everyone.