Hiya,

I passed on the clear-bra/tint offer my dealer gave me when buying my car. It was about 800 bucks and it would have meant having to wait 2 more weeks to get the car (to scrape together the $$)

NOW I'm shopping around looking to get it done. Not because I saw my first stone-chip and freaked out, but because my Aunt has a mini and after 5 years her front end has just been massacred by rocks.

A local tint/detailing shop quoted me 275 for the bumper and about the first 18" of the bonnet, and each mirror cap. Based on what I've read, that seems very low (or the deal of the century). They're very well regarded for installing window tint (best around according to friends that have dealt with them) but haven't heard much about their clear-bra installations. Does anyone know what product the Mini dealerships use, or which are popular overall? Also, do any installers provide any guarantees on removal (ie, not messing up your paint) or discoloration?

Any info on what to avoid/be aware and average costs would be helpful.

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

I was quoted $450 for the same installation as yours. I DIY'd it for a fraction of the price.

 

I had the dealer do mine, they had it four hours. The film covers the front bumper, front of the hood, the headlights and fog lights, the mirror caps, the door edges and the rear bumper (So the bumper doesn't get scratched draging things in and out the back.)

There are two different brands, 3M and Invisimask, I've read that the 3M paint protection is a bit more difficult to install.

$275 sounds like a bargain, the do it yourself kits cost more than that!

Dave

 

U found a good price - and if they do good tint that's a great sign. Tint shops are a dime a dozen and some will screw your car up, I know this first hand recently. That said, we opt'd not to do the bras - looks hoaky and does not cover enough anyway. We will live with any road rash...

 

I disagree the clear bra looks hoaky. You can't really see it in most lighting conditions. It covers the entire front of the car and about 1/4 of the hood including mirrors.

I opted for the 3M clear bra after having the front of the car repainted. It was applied by a 3M technician, and it cost me $400. Not only does it thwart rock chips, the clear bra also helps when cleaning off bugs after a good summer's drive down the highway.

 

You might feel different over time. The paint on the Mini is VERY thin!

 

The water based paint on ALL new cars is BRITTLE. There's chips on my 3 year old GMC truck that no clear bra could have done anything about, like on the sides of the hood - how do those happen going down the road is beyond me. It's paint doesn't just chip, it explodes and fractures.

If you really want protection, take your brand new MINI to a body shop and have it urethane clear coated.

We do have 1 chip by the hood scoop in 3,000 miles, right at the top edge were the bra would not cover. At that rate I suppose there will be 10 chips in 30K and 100 chips in 300K. The MINI will wear them like a badge of honor. A MINI rat rod, yea that's it.........

 

Nice picture, is that in NYC?

 

I have the clear bra and you don't notice it unless you're looking for it. MINI dealer charged me $700 for the full mask.