MINI Cooper MINI Cooper specs
MINI Cooper MINI Cooper Forums MINI Cooper Pictures
Mark Forums Read MINI Cooper radio MINI Cooper latest news
 

Go Back   North American Motoring > 2nd Generation MINIs > Stock Problems/Issues
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

Welcome to North American Motoring !
Welcome to North American Motoring,

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!


» Latest Main Topics
Go to first new post Hot or Not (Fuses)
by oPossum
65 Replies, 17,528 Views
Go to first new post Problem coding FRM/FRM2
19 Replies, 606 Views
Advertisement

Reply
 
 
 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 09-16-2009, 09:41 AM
kadvani's Avatar
kadvani kadvani is offline
Neutral
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cypress
Posts: 5
Send a message via AIM to kadvani
Gallery
Effectiveness of Clear Bra?

Hey guys I was just wondering, is it truly beneficial and worth the cost of having a clear bra installed on a mini cooper? I am thinking of getting one for my new mini, but I've never had one installed before. Does the clear bra prevent chips and even dents from debris on the freeway? Thanks guys.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-16-2009, 10:45 AM
hydouken hydouken is offline
1st Gear
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 12
Gallery
I think it was worth it. But there is some extra steps needed to take care of the clear bra to keep it shiney and looking new.
So far it has protected my car from paint chips since February (drive to work is 60 miles round trip) and the way I head to work is often stuck behind a 18 wheeler hauling trees
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-17-2009, 07:32 AM
sequence sequence is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Your Worst Nightmare :)
Posts: 3,880
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by kadvani View Post
Hey guys I was just wondering, is it truly beneficial and worth the cost of having a clear bra installed on a mini cooper? I am thinking of getting one for my new mini, but I've never had one installed before. Does the clear bra prevent chips and even dents from debris on the freeway? Thanks guys.
yes to all. these cars are magnets for other people's and road debris.
__________________
I say, boy, you dont seem to be apprehendin' the general gist of what I'm tryin' to convey here. Maybe you oughta take a second, let your head catch up to your tongue before it gets all sunburnt. That was a joke, son, I say - a joke! Nice boy, but he's about as sharp as a sack o' wet mice.

09 MCSa JCW
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-17-2009, 07:58 AM
countryboyshane countryboyshane is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Metro-Detroit, MI
Posts: 1,187
Gallery
Looks bad on darker colors though. I couldn't imagine looking at the transition between the clear bra and midnight black on my Mini...barf
__________________
'09 MCS in Hibernation

Studies show 100% of people die, so you might as well have some fun while you're at it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-17-2009, 08:59 AM
Gil-galad's Avatar
Gil-galad Gil-galad is online now
Coordinator :: Eastern Iowa MINIs
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Decorah, IA
Posts: 4,085
Gallery
Garage
Probably my biggest regret of all is NOT getting it.

After several years of daily driving, I'm losing the paint chip battle on the front of the bonnet and the Aero bumper cover, beyond that recoverable with Langka or analogous. Most people don't notice them, but I'm sort of OCD about it. If I want to return the MINI to a showroom quality finish up front, my only credible option is to repaint.

As a side note, the up front components that I had Lyle double-wrap with vinyl a couple of years ago still look almost new. I suspect the clear bra would be equally, if not more, protective.
__________________
ROHERYN -- 2011 MCS SO/W -- Garage

"...indeed the love that the horses of the Rangers bore for their riders was so great that they were willing to face even the terror of the Door, if their masters' hearts were steady..." --- J.R.R. Tolkien
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-17-2009, 09:14 AM
buzzsaw's Avatar
buzzsaw buzzsaw is offline
5th Gear
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South-central Kansas
Posts: 1,055
Gallery
DIY'd our clearbra after delivery 3 years ago and no paint chips yet.
__________________
2006 MCS PW/B, 15% pulley, JCW CAI, 22mm Alta rear sway bar, original owner---www.SooperCooperinfo.com-a very complete MINI aftermarket/DIY/information library
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-17-2009, 07:35 PM
scottab36's Avatar
scottab36 scottab36 is offline
I've done too many mods..
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Mystic, CT
Posts: 719
Gallery
I have a clear bra in my Astro Bleck MCS and it is GREAT! It's also hardly noticable until you are right up to the car. No problems with the clear bra on a dark MINI. 41K+ miles and no chips; thank you 3M.
__________________
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC_9231sol.jpg
Some people say that I will never get the money out of my MINI that I have put into it. I say, "I get my money's worth everytime I hit the ignition button".
Mods: RMW tuned with many mods... 213.9WHP / 227ftlbs Wheel Torque
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-17-2009, 08:08 PM
tedswoods tedswoods is offline
5th Gear
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: western NY
Posts: 995
Gallery
Headin' down a federal interstate today that had recently been patched with tar and chips, which were flying everywhere. All I could think was I was glad I did have the clear bra installed... I've had mine on over a year now and I think it's helped a lot!
__________________


It all started with the dog...http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...d.php?t=143765
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-17-2009, 09:00 PM
OPC OPC is offline
RATTUS Deserticus
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Chandler, AZ; aka Lesser Phoenix, aka BFE
Posts: 1,578
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by countryboyshane View Post
Looks bad on darker colors though. I couldn't imagine looking at the transition between the clear bra and midnight black on my Mini...barf
FWIW, there's a MB in our club with a clear bra that looks great. Maybe it's in the installation?
__________________
"Piper-Christine" - 2008 MCS Sport & Premium Pkgs - CROC#403
Pilot: José
Powerplant: Good stuff
Landing Gear: Great stuff
Bling: OOhhh, pretty!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-17-2009, 09:37 PM
Project Mangler Project Mangler is offline
3rd Gear
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Posts: 235
Gallery
I've had it on my Honda, after 2.5 years I've had a few windshield dings but the paint is pristine. I'm sold, got it on the clubbie I just bought.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-18-2009, 04:38 PM
Mini2na's Avatar
Mini2na Mini2na is offline
5th Gear
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southwest, WA
Posts: 930
Gallery
If it is "just a car" then you can skip the expense of a clear bra.
If it is something you want to admire up close for years in the future you have to pay the big bucks.

20K and no paint dings on the clear bra area, but I can find impacts in the film that would have been nasty without it.
__________________
"Frodo" - '07 MCS SS/Blk, PB int, Anthrocite HL, Armrest, Hi-Fi, Sport & Premium Pkg, Sport Susp, LSD, Rear Fog, Alarm, TAGUS, 9/13/07 delivery. MINI-mini mods: shorty antenna, front and rear mud flaps, CF scoop, phone mount, brake light pulsar, glove box organizer, airbag stickers, Team Dynamic 1.2's, catch can
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-11-2009, 03:17 AM
kadvani's Avatar
kadvani kadvani is offline
Neutral
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cypress
Posts: 5
Send a message via AIM to kadvani
Gallery
Thanks Guys for all your replies. i live in orange county, California and i am just wondering if anyone has recommendations as to the installer of the clear bra? I've never gotten this done on a car before, so I just want to make sure I go to the right person to end up with a quality job. Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-11-2009, 06:31 AM
TRL TRL is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chester Springs, PA
Posts: 59
Gallery
For those that DIY'd their bra, did anyone use the inexpensive 4mil type. Before I f'd up $200 worth of 3M 8 mil I picked up some 4 mil on ebay for just the bumper to kind of practice as an installer. For the $20 it cost it seemed like an inexpensive way to learn the skill. If I throw $20 in the trash, no big deal.

Has anyone else done the 4 mill? Does it work at all? Probably be a few more weekends before I get around to actually try this stuff. I did my stripes myself and think the technique should be about the same.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-11-2009, 06:57 AM
lhoboy lhoboy is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 2,212
Gallery
Even up close, you have to look for the clear shield on a Mello Yellow to see it. The edge is slightly more visible on darker colors. Well worth the price, even if you have a professional do it. Ask your dealer who they use for the installation. They do not do it themselves.
__________________
SPUD:['02 JCW (210hp) - PS/B], '05 6 sp.trans/LSD, aux. gauges, driving lamps, fr/rr fogs, NAV, PDC, DSC, iPod Adaptor, Sport Link, GP IC, JCW susp., brakes & brace, 15% , LDG tune, short shifter, DT-BPV
Buzz: ['09 JCW - MY/B] Prem. Pkg., Cold Weather Pkg., IPod/B-tooth, JCW Susp., Xenon, HI-FI, Rear Fogs, Nav, PDC, JCW Brace & Side Scuttles, Driving Lamps, Alarm, Pulsar
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-11-2009, 09:25 AM
miniamos miniamos is offline
1st Gear
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Gallery
yes! it is the way to go; two years after I have it and no chps to restore, the winters in my area are notorious for salt and debris on the highway I do every
day to work, and the bra does its job.
Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2009, 09:25 AM
 
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Forum Jump


MINI CooperMINI Cooper PrivacyMINI Cooper Terms of UseMINI Cooper Guidelines MINI Cooper Advertising The North American MINI Cooper Community
  MINI Cooper news, forums, FAQs, and reviews for enthusiasts and owners of the North American MINI Cooper
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:09 PM.
 Copyright © 2002-2008 North American Motoring. All Rights Reserved.     Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
North American Motoring is an independently operated web site supporting MINI owners and enthusiastsworldwide. As such it has no official relationship with MINI USA, BMW AG, or BMW of North America.All original artwork and design is Copyright © 2002-2004 North American Motoring.
Admin Account Passwords

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2