Wahoo, my MINI arrives tomorrow and I was talking about clear bra installation with my MA. He also said that there was a package (as I mentioned I also want some tint) for $1399. This includes the clear bra, tint and something called ResistAll, supposedly an interior and exterior protectant. I know that dealers can offer unnecessary addons but would this be worth it if my quote for clear bra from other local vendors alone is $900 (same as dealer). I would have the ease of having everything done at once and paying much less for the ResistAll as I would be having the other services done anyways.

Thoughts? I live in rainy Seattle if that is any consideration for the rain protecting attributes of the ResistAll...and have dogs (for interior considerations)...

Help?! And Thanks! Can't wait to be motoring!!!!!

 

Here in St.Louis the dealer does not do the clear-bra install, they use a thrid party company, and up-charge around $200. Find a local installer, and you will probably get it done cheaper.

As to the ResistAll, buy some Scotch Guard, or better yet, some 303 fabric protectant, and do your carpets and cloth yourself, cost will be about 20 bucks, take maybe 1/2 an hour. For the rest of the interior, get some Nero again cost about the same, take little time. For the exterior, there are many good products out there, many last many months, are easy to apply, and again don't cost much.

My feeling about these so-called life time products that dealers push are nothing more than snake oil. They are just high priced versions of products that you can get yourself, and spend time applying connecting with your MINI.

Lots of "how to" threads here on this forum, and all kinds of folks more than willing to give you tips.

Mark

 

You can get clear bra and tint done for a fraction on that price. Go find a local tint and clear bra place like Lotsie said. And for restiall if your really worried go for rubber mats and then use 303 on everything else. I got a quote for tine and clear bra from a great shop here in Denver for around $320.

 

I had clear bra, tint, and bumper to bumper sport stripes installed for about $1100. Paying $1400 for tint and clearbra is excessive. The external paint protection is B.S. You can do that yourself easily and much cheaper with Zaino or similar products. Look in the detailing forum for info about protecting your car's interior and exterior.

Never do tint and/or clear bra at the dealer. They just use the same third party installers you might go to, but add a huge markup for their own pure profit.

 

I'd pass on the ResistAll and dealer-installed tint/bra. As others note, your dealer will sublet the job *if you're lucky* or they may have someone in-house do it who is unlikely to be as good as the installers in the sublet shop who do this as a specialty. I paid 235 for tint with a quote of 550 for clearbra from a respected tint shop here in Puddletown. I opted not to go for the bra. I went Poochstyle (awesome company) for my cargo mat/dog sport needs.

If ResistAll was "all that" you'd be buried in discussions of it on all the detail forums. Sometimes the fine print for these dealer treatments includes a requirement for "maintenance/inspection" that is just as burdensome or timeconsuming as simply doing it yourself. I am not detailing OCD, but even I get satisfaction from slathering some product on my MINI and caressing it for a bit. (Hmm, TMI?)

Also, WHOOHOO - your MNI's here :P

 

+1. You know a dealer won't offer an aftermarket option unless it is a profit maker, so follow Mark's advice and do it yourself. Chances are you'll end up with a better job (since you have a vested interest in doing it right) and you'll save a ton of money (labor for the subcontractor who would have done the job, plus the 50% or more dealer markup).

Oh yeah, almost forgot... Congratulations on your new MINI .

 

THANK YOU everyone! Very helpful . I did search the site for the ResistAll before posting and as I didn't find much interest it's because you all are right that there's not much interest for a reason. Thanks for saving my money for other mods .

I may look outside of the Seattle area for the clear bra as the quotes are still in the $900-$1000 range just for clear bra .

On the plus side I've got all the Prima products and have done a practice session on the Honda (though have to read up more on the clay bar, that felt awkward to me...) and yes, THANK YOU the biggest plus, my MINI is finally here! (placed the order June 30th).