I'm looking at the Bra covers for the MCS, not the clear. wanting input on anyone
who has them and some pictures please. also let me know about fit and install.
thanks, Kent
:smile:

 

We have a Colgan bra for our MCS. Fits great, easy to put on and take off, especailly after the first time or too, it kind of loosens up. No flapping, no loose straps. We use it for highway trips to keep the rocks off the front. It is a two piece bra.

 

I just got the Cal Bra from MossMini and it looks like it is going to be a bear to install. they recommend warming it up in the sun so it will streach. the instructions are not specific to this model and leave a lot to the imagination.

 

i am interested too. it seems the clear bra would be the way to go but i just cant get myself to do it. having something over my car just isn't very settling. i had a ton of paint chips after having my hood and bumper replaced so i took it back to the body shop and they are going to repaint it so now i really want to get a bra even if its ugly. ill take it off for normal off highway drives and as soon as i get home or to work it will be immediately off cause i think they are pretty ugly.

 

I've installed one and it was sort of a mess because there are so many straps and stuff, but after laying it out in the hot sun, it went on fine. It takes a little work to get the intercooler scoop to line up with the vent in the bra. Don't expect a perfect fit to the contour of the hood as it's very organic and non-planar, if you will. The major humps cause the bra to sort of float across the valleys as opposed to hug it like you may expect on a Honda or VW jetta, etc. I have since removed it, but I often wish I had something because I get major rock chips on the front end.

 

I have had TWO bras now plus a set of mirror bras. One was awful, one was wonderful. They REALLY help keep your paint healthy if you use them "properly". More on that later...

First one I got was from Moss. It sucked. I returned it right away. The problem was in the design. Any bra that has straps running under the hood from the front edge of the hood to the rear edge is doomed to work badly. The problem lies under the hood: it's called an engine! The one Moss sold had these straps. The straps pressed very hard on some delicate fittings like the nylon tubing to the passenger side of the intercooler, and the "freon" fill cap on the other side. I could barely get the hood to latch down! A Very bad idea.
I got their mirror bras as well, and though they fit poorly as well, I kept them since they do the job. Ugly, and ill-fitting, but effective.

Now, if you want a REALLY nice fit and quality get a Colgan bra. They make OEM bras for Porsche and Mercedes, and they not not screw around. No straps at all. I've used mine several times (REMEMBER: never leave it on for a longer than a few days, and NEVER leave it on wet!) and it goes on easily, cleanly and very securely. Take your time and fit it well the first time, adjust (bend) the metal tabs just right, and you will not have any problems. It's a VERY high quality product.

About the "properly" thing: Allways wash and wax the area covered by the bra before puting it on. This will prevent any fine scratches, and help the bra slip into position. It is important not to let water "bake" in the sun under the bra, as this will ruin your paint. Wipe it clean and vaccum the inside surface after using, since sand sized particles of grit will accumulate inside it in some conditions. I just got back from a SCMM event in Nevada, and found lots of sand in there. No paint damage at all though, since the felt inner surface seems to prevent any grinding. there is a small amount of flapping at high speed, but with the wax job (carnuba, not synthetic, works best with the German paint on these cars) there was no chafing. Good luck! [img]null[/img]

 

Thanks for the helpful hints, I was already considering returning the Moss bra and now I will. I have not attempted to install this bra but seems like its more work than I bargained for.

 

I will reiterate my post about Colgan bras. It takes me about 2 minutes to put on both pieces and it fits well and rubs nothing the wrong way. I am very pleased with it.

 

any pic's with it on and installing it?

 

I have the 2-piece Colgan bra without license plate hole ($99) and mirror gloves ($30) that I purchased from Mini Mania. They fit like a glove, however the UPS man came about an hour before my long road trip so I didn't have time to let them sit in the sun (recommended by MM). The top piece took some stretching to get into place. Easy to take on and off (5 minutes or less), keeps the rocks from chipping the paint :smile:. I am generally going to use it on the highway and long trips which will be most of the time, except for MINI events (shows, drives, etc) and then I'll remove it.

_________________
03 MINI Cooper S JCW - Pure Silver/Black

 

does that cover the aero kits too?

 

I just got the Colgan bra for my MCS. In general, I hate them, but got such a good deal on it that I decided to buy it for extended highway road trips. It was a little cold today and the first installation of the bonnet part took a while. Had to put it on as well as I could and then wait for the vinyl to stretch some so that I could get it all the way on.

Fit is fantastic and a breeze to install. I'll take it off tomorrow and it will sit in its box until my next long trip

 

I am looking for one (colgan bra) as well for my MCS... can you let me know where to purchase one? thanks.

 

I'm very happy with the Colgan bra. Now takes less than two minutes to put it on. I sometimes just use the bottom half only on heavy bug days - really makes the clean-up faster after a drive in the country.

Full-bra...

It now looks a bit smoother than this since it has been on and off multiple times.

 

I ordered mine directly from Colgan. I paid a little more than what you can get through other distributors, but I wanted the bra with the driving light
cut-outs. I used mine all last winter and on highway trips. Takes 2 minutes
to put on - and I give it a coat of Vinylex to make it look new and keep it soft.

 

AHHHH DREADED PAINT REMOVING BRA'S!!!!

id never use a bra after seeing what dmage it did to my buddies SHO. i couldnt put my cars paint thru that torture!

but hey, if you want to take paint off the front of your car, by all means, get a bra!!!!

 

I have never had a problem with a bra removing or damaging the paint. Just the opposite - it has protected it. Of course, I have plenty of polish and
other protectants already on the paint which may have helped. I have had
bras on the last three sports cars I have owned. Make sure you get one specifically made for the car out of quality material - not a "universal fit".
I have seen the bra that Ford sells as an accessory, and it is junk.

 

this was a form fit, LeBra bra for the SHO, it even had SHO embroidered on it.

he took it off weekly to wash underneath it and everyhting.

it wore the pint off down to the mtal on all the edges on the hood where it covered and on two large flat spots on the front of the bumper. hardly what i want done to my car, i'll take chips over worn down paint anyday. our paint is crappy enuff as it is!

 

That is odd. I never heard of damage that bad before.

If he took it off weekly, why didn't he leave the bra off if
he saw what was happening - and get his money back?

BTW - I envy your "other" ride. I had a '69 convertible
with 302 and C6. Had a chance to buy a '67 convertible
for $1000 in mint condition. Nobody wanted it because it was pink.
Found out later it was a limited edition "Playboy Pink" model.

 

he never took the lower off, just the hood bra. the car was silver, he didnt notice it until it started rusting.

haha, a playboy stang eh?

u sure it wasnt THE playboy stang given away that year??? you know, the one the plamate of the year actually drove???

i'll throw a few newer pics of the mustang up soon in OT or something, i think the mustang guys need a tread eventually!

 

I've never had any paint problems or any other bra related problems like the ones you all mention here. I use the Colgan bra on both of my Porsches, FX45 and had one on a Honda Accord 24X7 for 5 yrs. Never stripped off paint, never dulled the paint, never scratched the paint, never damaged anything on the car. Just never ever experienced any problems at all. Better to keep it on than keep taking on/off, I guess.

 

Hey, I just stumbled onto this thread. I've got a Colgan bra that I no longer need.

I bought the bra in question from Frank (C4) this summer. Used it to get the car back from my dealer - a two-hour highway drive away. I've since gotten a clear bra installed, so it's just sitting. Between Frank and me, I'd say the bra's been used only a few times. It's in pretty new condition - I've kept the original box that Frank kindly kept. The bra goes on very easily, since it's been broken-in. FYI- The bra is designed for the standard MCS front end (not aero) WITHOUT A FRONT LICENSE PLATE. There is no cutout for the plate/frame.

I paid $50 plus shipping. Make me an offer close to this, and it's yours if you want it. Feel free to PM me, if you'd like.

Makes me feel goood the keep this item in the NAM family... :smile: