What are they charging for the clear bra install? I need to see if it's cheaper for me to get a friend that did my Lotus do it or let the dealer screw it up :D

 

Righteo! Thanks for pointing that out.

 

The dealers around here don't do the InvisiShield installations themselves for fear of screwing it up, so they contract it out. The full frontal protection will cost you about $850-$950 for them to contract it out. That was thrown into the negotiation, so I don't know what I actually paid for it. All of the dealers here use the 3M product rather than the OEM InvisiShield which is about half that cost uninstalled. The advantage to have them contract it out is that if it starts peeling, yellowing (who would know on a Mellow Yellow) or cracking, the Dealer stands behind it. (Also you have it on record for insurance purposes to replace it if you have front end damage).

 

I paid close to $500 for the Elise, full front end, labor and materials together, 3M film, so I think I'll stick with the same source - all official, receipt, sales tax, etc., so I can use it with insurance. I was hoping that MINI-sourced InvisiShield would've been cheaper (like Lotus only charged $500 for the entire car covered in what they called "StarShield" if you got it with the new car as an option), vs. about $1500 if you have it done on the side.

But I guess it's not the case with the MINIs. The jury is still out if it's worth it in the long run.

 

my MA informed me today that my MINI is scheduled to arrive at the dealership on Saturday Feb 14th. YAY!

Also for the record i got the full frontal "roadblock" invisa-bra installed for $650

 

Yes, but... the Elise is about 1/2 the surface area.

 

Thanks for the update. Still looks like the first week of March for my MINI. I was able to get my MINI fix for while. I got to drive my wifes MCS to the dealer. I had the oil changed. (Changed at 1533 miles.) Had mud flaps installed and also had the right front fog light changed out under warranty. The light had moisture in it. Apparently the seal leaked or something.

We also went ahead and purchased the extended warranty. Bumper to bumper coverage for 7 years/100,000 miles. We have the extended maintenance agreement for the same period.

What a great car. My wifes car is an automatic and I was really impressed with the ride, comfort, quietness and just the overall fit and finish. Really a great car. We will be driving these cars for a long time. It's a joy to drive. When I need the horsepower fix all I have to do is jump in the GTO. But I have a sneaking suspicion the GTO will end up being he garage queen.

I have a real hankering for that car. I can't wait until it gets here!!

Regards,

Pat

 

Hi Pat,

If you don't mind me asking, can you pm me with the cost of the extended warrantee and maintenance?

thanks,

Jerry

 

I found out something very interesting last night when getting the insurance lined up for the new MINI. GEICO offers full bumper to bumper 7yr 100k extended warranty coverage for only $85/yr. That totals $600 over the 7 years, which is less than half of what the local dealer and AAA are quoting. Also, since it is paid over time, the real present value of those payments is less than $600. WHAT A DEAL!

Ask for a quote from your insurance carrier if they offer a similar product.

Where they make out on this is that few people keep their cars for 7 years and GEICO doesn't have to pay a cent until after the dealer warranty expires. The coverage does not convey to the next owner, whereas standard extended warranties will go with the vehicle. Since my wife and I keep cars for 15-20 years each, the Geico offer is a great deal.

 

Got an email from my MA - apparently they got the car yesterday and it will be ready for pickup tomorrow. Too bad I'll be out of town.

Looks like boat -> dealer was 4 days in my case. Not too bad.

 

That sounds like a great deal. But you may want to get some more of the details. For instance, who does the insurance company pay, you or the repairing facility? What are the deductibles? Are there limits on the repair dollars per year? What happens if the insurance company raises your car insurance rates? Could that make you reluctant to shop the insurance company because of the warranty? They could easily raise your rates to make up for the lower cost of the warranty. I actually fired Geico becuase they raised my rates for no reason. I actually called them and the woman said she had no idea why they were raised. No tickets, I'm a homeowner, multiple cars etc. Do you deal with Geico or some other third party. I have to beleive that Geico is farming this out. If so who are they and what is the strength of the company etc.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade I'm just thinking you need to look at all the facts and do all the what if's. It's really important to do the due diligence. Typically I have found that if it's too good to be true it usaully is and if it is true be sure to measure the full cost.

Let us know how that works out. I would be very intersted in more details as I'm sure others will be as well.

Regards,

Pat

 

All good points, and I plan on doing my due diligence. A lot may have to do with the $250 deductible vs. the $100 on other ext. warranties. The extra $150 is not what concerns me. It's the harness, tranny, Nav system replacements that can run into the thousands and most likely will on a MINI.

 

Hey PatM...

With what I just found regarding the Fedora, you are not going to like me much: Fedora will not cross Panama until the 20th...
http://www.boydsteamship.com/booking.php (ship is in the list)
Looks like there is an 80 hour wait to cross the canal unless you have booked that (KLine does it, WWL does not...)

Sowwwwwy

Chris.

 

That's weird how they auction off booking slots

 

Ouch!! That bites. Our condolences, Pat. Any other left coasters have a car on the Fedora?

 

DUP Post

 

Yes, Bullseye is on the Fedora too. Oh well, maybe by the time Pat and my cars get here, they will have their sea legs.

On the plus side, my wife and I just watched "The Italian Job" and liked the driving lights so much, decided to get them added on. Since Bullseye hasn't reached the VDC, they can install the lights there and I will save about $400 in install costs.

 

I can only go by what the WW website says and it has the Fedora arriving at the Panama Canal on Feb 16 and arriving Port Hueneme, Ca. on Feb 24th. I don't know what the "normal" time of passage is from New York to California so I cannot know if there is a Panama Canal delay built in to that timeframe. So far the schedule on the WW site has been spot on. So unless that web site changes I am going to assume that it is correct. It sounds as if that delay might be built into the schedule.

But it is what it is. I was able to drive my wifes car again today so I got my MINI fix.

Pat

 

FYI... Pacific Breeze crossed the canal on the 11th... ETA in Oxnard is 20th...

So it's 8-9 days from the canal do SoCal... I don't know how long to Tacoma after that...

Chris.

 

The car will actually be offloaded in California at the BMW VDC. It is then trucked to the dealership.

My wifes car took about 6 days to get from the VDC to the dealer.

Either way, it's going to be a long time before I take delivery.

What a shame.

Pat

 

The K-Line participates in a slot auction for canal passage. The WW line does not. As a result, The Fedora has an 80 hour wait at the canal entrance before it can pass. Its is scheduled to enter the canal on 2/20.

 

Cheffry was dropped off at Otto's yesterday!! With a little love from the ClearBra installers, I will be driving him home on Wednesday!

 

Did you go by to take a look at it?

 

Dooh! I just checked the O.L. today and they moved delivery from today to last Friday. I was hoping to contact the MA at delivery to remind him not to let the shop attach the licence plate holder to the front bumper. I don't want no stinkin' holes drilled in my bumper.

I already received a "NO-HOLES" bracket from www.GoMiniGo.com.

I'll call when the dealer opens tomorrow. Hopefully they remembered or haven't gotten that far yet.

 

Hi all....

For all of you on Fedora... She is just about to cross the canal...
http://www.vesseltracker.com/

Hopefully http://www.pancanal.com will be back online soon so you can spot it on one of their cameras !

Chris.