Just wondering if people are getting a lot of rock chips on their F56 and if so where are they hitting on the car. My 2009 MCS had a ton, most of them on the front of the hood. I was thinking about getting the clear bra on my 2015 when it gets delivered but I'm not a fan of the clear bras.

 

I always install a clear bra on my vehicles. If its done right you should barely notice it. And it'll save you tons of money down the road

 

I've had a clear bra on all three of my MCS's ('03, '10, & '14). It's the only way to go with cars like ours that sit so low to the ground.

 

I have a good size chip on the front of my hood from a stone kicked up from a truck. In an attempt to touch it up, a local shop messed up the hood by removing the factory clear while wet sanding. As it turns out, the clear coat is very thin from the factory. Now, the entire hood has to be re-painted and re-striped. I am highly considering a clear-bra after the re-paint. Clear-bras should always be installed over new paint.

 

Car is a month old and got 2 chips in the windshield already.

 

Can't go wrong with a clear bra. Also be mindful of where you drive on the highway, never drive close to a truck, that's where most people's rock chips come from

 

You're so right, Dan. Normally that is the way I drive, but I got careless in my driving excitement and have gotten behind a few trucks, including dump trucks. I learned my lesson.

When my hood is painted I am going to have the shop spray on additional coats of clear to protect the entire hood more than the factory thin clear-coat does.

 

I am thinking about this clear bra as well.

 

Thanks for all the input. I think I will get the clear bra if my car ever comes in.

 

I purchased my R56 from Schomp in Littleton, CO in 2007 and my greatest regret was not putting on the clearbra which my salesperson had recommended. I thought it was their version of undercarriage protection. I was wrong.

Get a clearbra.

 

I bought my 2009 and ordered my 2015 from Ralph Schomp.

 

How much do you guys pay for the clear bra? Or do you buy 3M automotive film and DIY? I did DIY on my CX-5 hood, and it has about 4inches of it protecting from the front edge. I think I can do it myself for the MINI too, but I'll probably just cover the front 4-6 inches.

Is the paint really that thin on the MINI? Compared to Hyundai or Mazda?

 

I don't know about the actual paint, but the clear-coat is thin. Which is why when my hood is repainted today I am asking for a thicker clear-coat. A thicker clear-coat provides more protection from road rash.

 

ok a dumb question, where do you get the clear bra for the 2015s, mine should be showing up at the dealer in the next two weeks and with the condition of the roads in this part of virginia it will be a must have extra for sure

 

I'm guessing they are cut by the installer while installing. Watch some youtube videos on how they get installed, and you'll know how it looks like.

I'm still curious about what the dealers or installers charge you for this service as cutting near the contours will be hard for a DIY job.

 

The place that installed mine had software with a pattern for each vehicle. The film somehow is loaded in a machine that cuts the pattern for each section of the vehicle.

 

do places that do tinting do bras as well? where do i look?

 

The place I used does. Do a search for "clear bra" in your area and see what comes up. The dealer where you're getting your 2015 will likely be able to recommend someone or possibly have someone at the dealership who does clear bra and window tint.