I'm about to buy my first Mini and want to get racing stripes, but have seen older models with horrible cracking in them, presumably from age and weather. I also don't like that they are decals instead of paint. What is your experience with them and would you get them again?

 

Vinyl is the the way to go. Inexpensive and easily replaceable, especially convenient if you want to go to a different style.

 

not 'decals' but vinyl

I had them on my 07 and if you take care of them they last .... sold that car this year and they looked fine (white btw) 6yrs old . . .

but my car was garaged which cut down the full sun baking ... but I live in FL and you in CO so you'd get less sun????

I'm a big fan of painted stripes ..... but you probably won't get that from the dealer .... AND there is a big difference between 'pin stripes' and 'sport stripes' ..... 6 inches or more . . . . sport stripes in paint is gonna be a job.

A GOOD thing about V' stripes is that they are 90% removable .....

Some would say 100% .but... yes they come off

BUT, depending on how long they are on the car, and the color of the paint, you MAY see a difference in the color's fade under the sticker

 

One word....
Ghost stripes....
The paint fades on some colors.... And you really need to put new ones on....
Parking out of direct sun helps....as does a good wax....
Stripes can date a car a bit....their popularity come and go...as to the style and width....so consider them to be a couple year item...

 

Vinyl will last a few years. Some more, some less. There are drastic grades of it. And yes, you WILL get fade if/when the stripes are removed.

Stripes are definitely one of those "personal" additions to your car.

If you know what you want, have the money, want something unique, or that will last, then paint is the way to go. (If done correct) once sprayed, the car will need to be re-cleared.

I would have rathered mine came without.

Old hot rod saying: "Vinyl belongs on your house" 😄

 

IMO, stripes add a certain something to a MINI. They're a nod to the racing heritage of the car, and when done right, they look great. Some colors look better with them than others, though. The stripes are usually vinyl, which takes a little care. I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on mine, and it seems to do the trick. Even with proper care, the vinyl will only last a few years and will eventually need to be replaced. Some people have done that themselves. For everyone else, a competent graphics shop can do the job pretty easily.