Help - I need advice!! My Cabrio will be here "soon," and I've been planning to have X-Pel coating installed on her. We live in the mountains - the quarter-mile drive to our house is gravel, & I'm sometimes on unpaved roads, so I've been told that the paint protection would be advisable. I've looked at my Subaru, which doesn't seem to have a paint chip issue, but Frieda will be closer to the ground than the Subaru is. So, assuming that I have the dealer install X-Pel, don't I need to have the stripes installed first, thus making my stripe decision more urgent? And, I need advice on the stripes. Frieda is a Cool Blue / Dark Blue Cabri with the Dark Blue/Sunrise Orange cloth/leather interior. I don't want her to look too busy, and I'm not a racing enthusiast either. So, should I put stripes on her? If so, since the CB is pearlescent, would a frost be the right thing? Or what? AND, how can the stripes avoid the boot hinges on the Cabrio?

Any ideas or advice? - -

 

The X-pel goes on first, then the stripes. I think people that have had stripes actually had to remove them for the clear bra install. That means you can think about the stripes a bit and your MINI's paint will be protected.

I'd imagine the cabrio is new territory on the stripes front, especially on the back side. My only caution is....don't compromise. Make sure the stripes are straight, where you want them, and that the fit is perfect around badges and other trim features. If close attention is paid to the details I think you'll be much happier with them long-term and will be proud to have people gawking at them all the time. (...which they WILL do!)

Frost or shadow stripes would look nice on a subtle color like Cool Blue. Or maybe just the right blue stripes to match the blue roof. Ooooooh...what about blue stripes w/ and subtle orange pinstripe at the edges to match w/ your interior trim.

So many cool stripe options exist now.....best of luck choosing!

 

Definitely install the stripes OVER the clear bra. If you decide to remove or replace them, it will be SO much easier, sweetie. Just my .02.... :smile:


Clo/Wanda

 

OK - GREAT - that means that making a stripe selection is not as urgent. Do any of you have any thoughts about the X-Pel? I've searched all the threads, everything that I could find. None is real current. Do you think it's advisable? FLOW will charge $599 to have it installed, including all materials. I just can't do it myself. Does that seem worthwhile?

 

Since you are so close to North Wilksboro, have you given any thought to the Invinca-shield brand?

Same stuff, 3M clear and when I was doing my research the thickness was the same also. I've had mine on for about 2 years now and it still looks great, no yellow, no lifting. They did the install at the "Headquarters" there in North Wilksboro for $251. That included the Deluxe MCS kit with some extra pieces (mirror caps and rear bumper).

Check out their web page at http://www.invinca-shield.com/asp/genkit.asp?kit=332 for a look at the MCS kits.

 

Thanks! I have talked to them, but they had no kit for the 2005 Cabrio, and they said that they'd get back to me - that was a few weeks ago. Maybe I'll try jogging their memory. North Wilkesboro is an easy drive from here. I do think that they were somewhat less costly than the X-Pel through the dealer. I will follow-up again.

 

My MINI dealer actually outsources all their clear bra installs to a local shop. The dealer doesn't even have them install the MINI product! The shop uses the 3M product and I believe it may be better (...or so hints my MINI service manager) and a bit less expensive.

In fact, I'm fixin' to have this shop do an install on my Cooper....they quoted be $425. IMO, it'd be worth searching out a tint shop in your area that does this kinda work, too....they may be able to do your cabrio even though an "official" kit doesn't exist yet.

 

Is your Vert a MC or an S? And also does anyone know what if any front body shapes/parts changed with the addition of the Vert?

From what I've read and seen, on the MC the right side engine mount changed and a few additional stiffeners were added to the underside, but all exterior parts remained the same. The same for the S, minus the engine mount change.

That being the case, a stock MC or MCS Kit should fit. For the $350 dollar savings it would be worth checking.

Oh and jds, here in the mountains of NC, the tint shops are few and far between and those that have even heard of the clear stuff are even fewer.

 

The bumper is very different on '05 Coopers but not the actual bonnet as far as I can tell.

And smokey, you're right...I am pretty spoiled with tons of shops and even a MINI dealer right in my town!!

 

Don't rub it in

I guess I'd have to see them side by side to spot the differences, unless the 05 owner has ordered the exterior chrome package, which has the dog bone, doesn't it? The 2 MCS verts at the dealer this past weekend didn't strike me as being that different then my 02, other then the roof thing

 

Yes, some big changes up front in the '05 Coopers, as far as the painted surfaces anyway. Not really surprised that clear bra kits are not readily available. I think the front end of MCSs are similar to earlier models, though.

 

My Frieda is an MCC. As far as I know, the front body is the same whether you're tin or rag top. The Invinca gal just thought that she should check on both the possibility of changes with the 05 & with the Cabrio. I'm following up! I'd love to save the $$, as long as the quality & warranty are the same. Sounds like you've had a good experience, so I'm working on it.

Smokey4, have you had any issue with wax build-up at the film line? Any other concerns?

I guess I'll go with putting the stripes on AFTER the clear protection. I'd thought that they'd need to go on before in order to avoid a funny looking bump where they go over the clear film. Apparently, that's not an issue?

I appreciate ANY input you folks have, as I'm both VERY new to this and, as Smokey4 pointed out, knowledgeable MINI advice is few & far between in these here hills. Thanks!

 

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