(five hours + each way to get to Jacksonville where the dealer was, wow!) and have a few questions.

We were discussing options that I was interested in, and when I mentioned I was thinking about the wood steering wheel, he mentioned that he had some feedback from a few buyers that it at times got very hot, too hot. (We were in Jacksonville Florida) and I was wondering if anybody else here had the same experience, or close, or not. Probably those in the southern climes would be the best candidates to answer that question.

Also, the car I test drove had the clear plastic protectant on it. I could (I felt) easily see the "seam" on it, and my natural instict was to ignore opting for it, as I've never had a bra or anything else on any of my cars, and yes, they would occasionally see some very small chips, but honestly I probably get more door dings from other parkers in my experience.

What has your experience been with that proctectant film? I am looking at ordering a Lightning Blue or BRG MINI, and I think it can be seen more easily on darker finishes like those, than say Pepper White. I could be wrong.

I think I had one more question, but I can't think of what it was right now. Pretty tired.....lol.

 

get the clearbra... trust me youll be happy in 50,000miles when your front end doesnt have any rock chips.

 

Wow that is one long test drive
Are you a MA? or were you just going to the meeting?
We had an '03 Indi Blue that did not have the clear bra and it looked terrible. I had never had so many stone chips one a car before. We ordered an '08 Chili Red due to be in next week and we went for the clear bra.....didn't even have to ponder. But it is a personal preference. Good luck!!!

 

Kimini, I think that they meant that their drive was 5 hours to Jax MINI each way...lol I thought the same thing too until I read it after morning coffee...
My dad used to have an 1988 Bentley a few years back. Got it used and cheap... It had a wood wheel and it would get hot if you left your car in the sun. He eventually got a cheesy sheepskin wheel cover for it.... yuck... lol.


Clear bra... I'm still undecided. But I have heard that rock chips are plentiful with the MINI.

 

Yeafh, reading that this morning, I see what you mean. Hey I was tired! (I'll go edit the original.)

Yes, it was five hours to Jacksonville, which is where the MINI dealer was.

Sounds like maybe I should give the invisishield more thought. A question for those of you that have it. Does the shield itself take a bit of a hit when a rock hits it? I guess I am saying does the impact leave evidence on the plastic? I would think it might. Now I am sure that if it does, it is better than a rock chip, but I am picturing something a few years down the road full of little dicsolorations/impact-stress marks, if you know what I mean.

And on the wood steering wheel, I wonder if a sun-screen would help, or whether it is simply the indoor temps that are achieved while sitting in the sun?

Thanks for the inputs guys, I do appreciate it.

 

I have the same questions as you as far as if the clear bra is a good choice or not, because of how obvious the seam usually is... but also I believe all the invisishield/ultrashield things have lifetime warranties on them against discoloration, cracking, etc.

 

My wood steering wheel has sat in the sun in 90+ degrees, and yes it has been hot. I don't think it was anymore hot than any other type of steering wheel would be...it's not like I wasted anytime getting going, it wasn't unbearable. I wouldn't let that deter you...I quite like it. BTW, not sure if you knew or not, but the shifter **** is wood too when you get the wood wheel.

 

I have all the English Oka bits here in sultry DFW...no problem, imo. It is hotter than leather might be, true, but it looks great and I love it!!! I do use a sunshade (for many reasons) and I even have a black California plush towel in my glovebox that I drape over the steering wheel if the sun's angle makes the shade useless, but that is more to keep it's finish nice over time...not because I can't touch it.

On clearbras...yes, you will be able to see the seam if you look for it. It is not invisible....but nearly so. The one on my MINI has some sort of bevelled edge to it that really, really helps in this department. You may prefer to deal with the inevitable stone chips in another way, but this has worked for me and is well worth it for a daily driver.

 

Going gokartride's route with the shade and towel sounds perfect. And you could always get driving gloves too. They look cool, and'll keep your hands cool if the steering wheel does get a bit hot.

CROC no. 411

 

I got my car at Tom Bush, you drove the blue S with sport package I bet. Not sure about the wood wheel, but with the clear coat they apply to them I bet it would get quite toasty. As for the clear bra I felt theirs didn't provide enough coverage for the money, so I advocate aftermarket (and it is totally worth the investment). FYI, when we were discussing that car they knocked the invisishield down to $549 (from $599). Good luck!

 

Go aftermarket on the clear bra.
For $500 I got a total custom install on the hood and entire front end since I have the OEM aero kit. They also covered the headlights and the rear bumper( for loading dogs and items).
I also felt the aftermarket film was of better quality than what MINI offered, only time will tell.

 

try Orlando, tom bush mini, is ok...but Orlando is a better dealer I have worked with both

 

To avoid the rock chips, just back off the vehicle in front, and never get stuck behind dump trucks without tire flaps, or 4-wheel 10' in the air trucks/SUVs. If you're safe enough distance back, you'll lessen the blow.

I hate the look of film, but do understand why folks use it. Go to a local pro and see highline cars with it, especially those in colors you might select.

The better shops with the high quality film can cover the entire hood, bumper and fenders for a price. Then you will have no lines/seams.

Regular film 'kits' fall short on the hood, and you will have a seam.

Or just understand you are going to get a few chips along the way (battle scars?) and just live with them.

 

Have a BRG cooper, and unless it is dirty, you can't tell the clear bra is there unless you're looking for it. MUCH better than chips.

 

Living in South Florida my #1 priority right after I got my '08 MCS was to get a clear bra installed and you can't even notice it unless you look very closely for the seam across the hood.Let's just say after my 4000 miles round trip from Florida to Minnesota and back not a single chip found in the hood or front bumper and I followed behind a crap load of trucks on the way there and back.

Now you can order it directly from MINI USA if you build your MINI Cooper/S and it would run something like $250 for the hood and front bumper.Or you can go the aftermarket route that I did and get a quality clear bra installed.Also keep in mind that if you have the dealership install one on your MC/S it will cost a lot more and they use outside vendors that do the installation.

Unfortunately I can't comment on the wood steering wheel though since I do not have one on my car.