Maybe more of a dilemma...
My baby is on the Integrity, due into Charleston on Sunday. I have no regrets about ordering it - far from it. It's a Clubman S, Chili Red with black roof/pillars.
But...
I ordered it with the sport stripes - the ones that are wide apart - and I'm beginning to wish I'd gotten the Viper-style stripes that go up the center. The problem is the dealer is installing a clear bra when it arrives (for around $600 ), which means that once the bra is on, I can't easily change my stripes. The dealer said they could change the stripes pre-bra, but want $499 to do it. That equates to $187/hr installation fee if it takes 2 hours. That equates to an hourly wage of $359,000 a year . (I need to change jobs!)
I'm now considering telling them No Bra, Don't change the stripes. I'll do it all my self later.
I need a bra due to roads around here, but surely I can get someone to do it cheaper? But that would mean a lot of inconvenience...
Or should I just chalk this episode up to pre-delivery jitters?

 

Stone chips = love

 

I thought the stripes are done at the dealership ?? I doubt your car is shipped with the stripes installed -- I am sure others here would know for sure. If its not the dealership putting them on its probably the VDC. Mine were done by my dealership.

 

Hey there,
I believe i do feel your dilemma. I've yet to receive me new puppy as well, it's due March 31, 08. The model I'll be receiving was already packaged but the color I had already decided upon is British Racing Green, black roof, tan interior. Any hoots, I wasn't planning on added the black stripes. That would be the standard stripes down the center of the hood. Being a classic british color, the stripes just don't do it for me.
The dealer said they could be removed should I feel a need to do so, course he didn't make mention of any price tag attached to it. Which I will be calling him to inquire bout that "thanks". The dealer also suggested that they could be removed at a later date should I change me mind. Here's me baggage, with the sun beaming down on the car as a whole I figure the paint round the exterior of the stripes could possibly be lighter if I choose to remove them, at a later date.

I figure if it's a thorn in me side now, well there's a good chance I be feeling like this later. Did ya try to reason with him? I had the same issue with changing the rims, wanted 200$ to change the rims for a car I don't have yet.
I asked him, look is there any way you could lower the price for me? I'm spending quite a bit for a buggy and I don't have it yet. So he hummd and haawwd and said well I guess I could lower it 50%. He lowered it to 100$, which is a bit of a savings.
Also there is the manager of the dealership, is he willing to risk the gossip of customers suggesting that you don't deal with them as customer service may not be up to par or at least flexible. If ya walk away, or drive away after the purchase maybe you won't want to return to do any servicing with them in the future. You may just decide to take your future service else where to another min dealer.
You could always go online to the website, simulate a rebuild to gather a view of what it'd look like with the change.

 

My stripes were going to be done at the dealership. (In fact, I got the sports stripes thrown in as a part of my deal... BUT... the dealer's vinyl guy isn't working with them anymore, so no stripes for me unless they're aftermarket.)

Just ask your MA when the stripes were going to be put on. And if you're changing from bonnet stripes (sides) to sport stripes (center) it should actually cost you less!

 

Make it clear with your dealer that if the stripes are not installed when it arrives, to not install them. Based upon your trust level, you could meet up with your car when it actually arrives but it is correct that most of the time (but not always) the stripes are installed at the dealer level. As a worse case scenerio, the stripes are easily removable - just carefully apply heat and they'll come right off with no marking whatsoever and the new ones can be applied. I'm curious though, wouldn't the clear-bra butt up against the stripes and not be applied over them anyway?

FWIW, I applied my own factory stripes 4 years ago and they continue to be perfect. It's not that hard a do-it-yourself job - just take your time - there are a lot of threads on NAM which give step-by-step details.

 

I think you just have 'pre-delivery jitters'. It will be like a baby delivery- when you see it you'll love it. All that's really important is that it has all it's parts.

 

I have the same color combo and the clear bra is over the stripes. I have photos in my gallery if you want to see how it will look. I love the stripes as they are and I have to say that everyone who has seen it has also loved it. I plan on getting a Cabrio later and I do want the viper (center) stripes on that.
My stripes were already on it when it arrived at the dealer so I think the VDC might have done it.
Don't forget to post pics after he or she arrives.

 

I looked at cloud10 pictures and you can't see the clear bra. Good work. I agree when you get her she will be the pride of you driving. Good Luck.

 

Are the little stripes on either side of the big stripes white or silver?

 

FWIW...The first thing I did out of the dealer was get a clear film protection for my MINI...I got it within a week of delivery. My MINI dealership started at $1300 and went down to $900 for full "Roadblock" system. Whatever it is, I am certain I found out it was still a Scotchguard/3M product I did not bite.....HARD!
Before they offered, I had already done some homework...knowledge is power! Never seen an after-sales agent look so dumbfounded!
Anyway, for $560 I had the following installed, labor included.
-Hood (Standard Coverage Area), Mirror, Grill Kit
-Front Bumper Kit
-Rear Bumper Kit
-Luggage Area Kit

http://www.xpel.com/products/paint_p...&submodel=1914

Through the website, I found a local certified installer.

Hope this helps.

 

They are white. I love it. The dealer did the clear bra and a detailer in town looked it over and said it was a great job. I was worried about a 130-mile drive on interstates with lots of construction without it being done first. I don't regret it as I had sleepless nights thinking of bringing him home without protection.
At least with the dealer doing the work it is guaranteed and I don't worry about them going out of business.

 

In the category of "I don't know, but...": My dealership is changing my black bonnet stripes to sport stripes for free. They behaved like it is a huge no-brainer and costs them next to nothing to do. They also assured me over and over that pulling the bonnet stripes off will in no way harm the paint. A charge of $499.00 to do the same sounds really out of line to me given what I'm being told. It would be different if you had the protective stuff on already, but otherwise, I think they are just not being very nice.

Sorry this post is a little stale, but it took awhile for me to get officially added to the site so I could post. Good luck!

 

Well i just picked up me mini coop last night. I preferred to have me stripes removed; the babe was already built. Anyway I arrived on the scene and when the pup came out the stripes were still on, to which the gent quickly removed them. I'm guessing it took maybe 20-30 minutes if some of the glue remained. He then sprayed a lubricant to be able to remove the left over glue. They he waxed to remove the final residue, the exterior lines which the stripes left. And that's it; they basically peel them off like peeling off stickers you adhere to your windows.
No he didn't charge me.

I love it! Now I gotta name him or her.