Hi there,

I currently have a White Silver 2013 Roadster S en route and I'm trying to decide whether to get a clear bra installed when it arrives. It sounds like in general it's a worthwhile investment but that it may be more obvious that it's on there if the paint color is light. I would get a full hood wrap so there is no seam but I'm wondering if there will still be a visible difference between the hood and the sides of the car, especially after a few years (and does the bra look different on metallic paints?) Does anyone have experience with seeing or owning a White Silver MINI with a clear bra and can comment on how it looks? Thanks in advance!

- Daniel

 

I am in the same boat, I have a light white R60 on its way and wondered the same thing. My dealership is offering a paint protection product but I am not sure if it would be worth it or if I should go with a clear bra or vinyl hood wrap. I would need to find someone local to do the bra however I have seen precut kits available online.

 

From what I've read, I'm guessing a "paint protection product" from the dealer that isn't a film is probably a waste of money. I would probably get mine done at an independent shop, quotes I've been getting are $850-1000 for front bumper and full hood.

 

I have had 4 Mini's and all have had the clear bra on them. My current Mini has the full hood bra and 10k miles later not a chip, ding or scratch! Love my clear bra. Also I have Cila-jet on the rest of the car and this is a fantastic product. Car never looks dirty and is very easy to clean.

 

My 02 Electric Blue MCS has a clear bra, and after 10 years, you can't really tell it is there until you get very close. MINIs are set up for stone chips, especially on the leading edge of the bonnet. If you have a professional install genuine product, I don't think the color makes a difference.

 

Get a pro to install and make sure it is 3m.

 

There will only be an obvious difference between the bonnet and the rest of the car if you *don't * get the clearbra. And it won't take mire than a year for that to happen.

Clearbra is a no-brainer.

 

Cool, thanks everyone for the replies! Sounds like as long as I get a good quality film and professional installation, the car will look best if I do in fact get the film - much appreciated! I definitely want the full hood and front bumper, but does anyone have opinions on whether the side mirrors or door edges are worth it? Seems like it has to stop somewhere, and I wonder if once we get to the doors since they're likely to get dinged by someone parking anyway, maybe it's overkill there...

 

I would recommend doing the side mirrors while you're at it. They stick out like Mickey Mouse ears. I also had the indented area under the door handles done, the leading edge of the rear wheel arches, and the top surface of the rear bumper. Doing the hood is the major expense of the job; see what they'll charge you for the other areas.

 

I did a full hood clear bra on my 2011 Clubman S a month after I picked it up in April 2011. No issues what so ever... Last winter I installed JCW Aero kit, and past summer I did a full front bumper clear bra (this one I installed my self, with precut part I ordered online).
I can tell you one thing: no one even notices the clear bra on the hood unless I tell them... Professional install on the hood is crucial as the whole area is in one piece. As others pointed out, almost two years later all is looking nice. No dings to report...


My Clubman S is white silver...

 

My Mini is in route and also thinking about the clear bra. Quote $600 on justa for 24 inches up the hood, front bumper, mirrors, under door handles, in front of rear wheel wells, door jams and top of rear bumper. I would like to do the entire hood, also suggested by MA due to the bonnet strips.

 

I am now giving this a second thought, I talked to a guy who used to install them and he said they tend to turn yellow from the sun down here in FL and on a white car it would be really apparent.

 

I've been on this board more than a few days. I have never seen anyone post about their clear bra turning yellow. And Florida doesn't have a monopoly on Sunshine.

Now... if you get some cheap film.... all bets are off. Get 3M.... you should sleep well.

 

You have a point.

 

And if it makes you feel better, I'm as OCD as they come and especially so about my MINIs. I wouldn't put something on them that might detract from their appearance. When I get my White Silver Coupe, the 3m clear bra is going on before I even see the car.

 

The install I am having done is currently my only locate option, it is not 3M, but Xpel, I have done some research and haven't found anything negative. from yur experience, should I have the doors done? He going to charge the same and from what I understand it can be remove if it is an issue.

 

I've never heard anything bad about Xpel. But I have spoken to several tint and clearbra installers who say 3M is the best film.

I had door edges done on my 06 R50 and took them off after a year. I rarely parked anywhere I was concerned about opening my door into anything and I was always ridiculously careful when I did. And it wasn't worth the trouble trying to avoid the edges every time I polished and waxed the car.

 

Thanks, its included, he is going to charge the same, as long as it can be removed, going into winter here removal in 6 months shouldn't be an issue. one additional question, have any of your previous installations gone over bonnet strips? He currently only has 24 inch film and will not be able to cover the entire hood.

 

Yes... my 06 R50 and our 13 CMS All-4 both gave clear bras that cover half the bonnet (and half the stripes, of course)

 

thank you, once I take delivery, pictures will follow, once I find out how to post.

 

Cool. Posting pics is fairly easy. I use phorobucket to host them then I just copy the link to my pic into the box that pops up when you click the icon above the reply window that looks like two mountain peeks with the sun above them.... fourth button from the right. Easy-peasy.

 

thanks,

 

I just turned 3,000 miles on my Pepper White Roadster with black Sport Stripes. I wish I had known about clear bras before. I got a small chip on the friont bumper which I touched up with Dr. Color Chip. The color looks good but after three applications I can still see the indention of the chip if I look from the side. Nobody else would probably notice. Last weekend I found a tiny tear in the small piece of the sport stripe vinyl that goes around the MINI emblem on the bonnet. It's small, but you can see the white paint underneath. I have an appointment with a local independent installer this afternoon to put on the 3M product. He is goinng to repair the damages sport stripe, then do the leading edge of the bonnet, the complete front bumper, and the mirror caps for $500. I don't know if that is a fair price or not, but I don't want to get anymore road rash damage. When I get there I'm going to ask how much more for the full bonnet.

 

Spend the extra $'s and have the full bonnet done, first rock chip on our first MINI was right in the middle of the bonnet it completely missed the clear bra. Our new Highgate has the full bonnet on it, and we love it,worth the money IMO.Good luck.

 

Leading edge of the bonnet ? I hope he's going at least 18" up the bonnet. And if he is, yes, that's a very fair price.