So I went to a consultation at an auto body shop today for 2 sets of graphics that I'm interested in getting on my mini. The first graphic is a silver U stripe for my boot (to match my bonnet), I already have the graphic thanks to Mike at Aestheticreations.net...I've got a sample image in my gallery if you want to see what it looks like. The second graphics are some silver stripes for the passenger and drivers side of the Mini. The total install quote was 264.00 . The guy was talking about removing the back panel of my Mini to install the boot stripe, which of course make me slightly nervous . Has anybody else had graphics professionaly installed and does this sound like a good price or am I getting ripped off?? And how about this removal of my boot panel, that has me a little worried...

 

that sounds like quite a bit high. my friend (whos family owns a tint shop) is cutting/applying my bonnet stripes for me for $35. So, take off the discount, and thats maybe $50?

 

should take no more than 2 hours to install all that at around $75/hr.
but if they're planning to cure it too (ir lamp) it could take another
1-2 hrs total.

how many hours are they planning to keep the car? If they say "all day"
forget it. the bonnet will take a pro installer 30min, sides 15min each,
boot 30min or so. include prep and cleanup, about 2hrs tops.

 

Jeez..they were taking like it would take 2-3 hours for the boot and another hour or two for the side stripes...it sounds like I should go somewhere else. I'm just not really sure how to find a installer that knows what they are doing!

Edit: I think they are concerned that the boot would take longer because I want the decal to go behind the license plate frame where the boot frame kind of curves in.. They're afraid that "dip" might be tricky to handle and could take a huge amount of time to work around

 

Can't you do them yourself?

 

eekk..I'm way to nervous to try it by myself..I tried looking at the directions and It's like a foreign language to me...

 

That does seem really high.

 

Bring it to Nashville, I'll throw it on for ya.

 

I've emailed mike about putting a garfield sticker on the side of my mini!
I'm still wondering how much that's gonna cost me...I want it done in Vegas next year though!!!
(haven't heard from him yet though)

 

Seems really high. I had boot and bonnet stripes (with accent striping) put on for $100. Had a roof decal put on for $80. Neither process took more than an hour. I would say shop around some more. - larry

 

I got a guy in NY from tyrol sport whos gonna install both sides of my checkmate graphics for 40 bucks, atleast thats what he told me

 

This sounds like the company has never done this before on a MINI.
Alot of times they will quote you an outrageous price in hopes they
will not have to tackle it. Why would they take the back panel off?
And the statement of "it could be kinda tricky" applying the stripes
behind the back plate would make me choose someplace different.
Have you tried your dealer - they could possibly recommend someone.
Or maybe someone in the MINI club in your area knows. You live in
a large metro area - you should be able to find a reputable company.

 

That might be worth the drive just to see your sweet MCS..."The Beast" is sure a looker!

I've posted on the Chicago Motoring forum in hopes to get some advice on somewhere to go..thanks, guys I think I would be getting seriously ripped off if I went to this place! Appreciate the advice!

 

Definitely, get another opinion. I don't know why the boot panel. If your comfortable with the installer, then ok. My tint guy had to take off both door panels but I knew he was the meticulous type and knew what he was doing because I used him on my 05 and was super satisfied and the fact that he had done 40+ other MINI's. Look for little things like how clean is his shop, how organized, stuff like that.

 

Yeah, that's what had me really worried..I've never worked with these guys before and them taking apart my Mini doesn't exactly sit well with me. I'm actually working on getting a quote from 1. the dealership :impatient and 2. a guy that was recommended by a shop that does a lot of work on Mini's up here..so hopefully this can get done for less than 200 bucks!

 

I saw a Camaro last week, black with two yellow stripes on the hood and hatch/rear bumper. The stripes were not aligned symetrically, and they looked like garbage. I'm sure that guy would have been happy to turn back time to spend $250 to have them done by a professional!

 

dont bet on the dealership, they wanted $220 for my bonnet stripes + install...so thats probably $180 for the install of stock bonnet stripes

 

I was interested in a roof graphic and contacted someone and it would be $300 for the graphic and 200 for the install. Sounds high to me.

 

Total Ripoff.

See my sig. Sidestripes installed professionally for about $75. I also have boot decals ... about $45 and he did have to take off my plate.

 

MiniMikeyAZ-Ouch that's worse than mine...

Chows4us- I can handle taking off the license plate frame, but the whole boot panel..that seemed a little absurd, but it sounds like you got a good deal! That's what I am looking for..I wish I lived under a pile of chow fur as well, you guys get good deals!

 

I see no reason to remove the boot panel to install boot graphics. The license plate, yes...the MINI badging, yes. It sounds overpriced, as well. You need to get more estimates. Good luck and let us know how it works out for you.

 

where you at in maryland?

 

bought 20 miles south of you!

 

Thanks for the compliment. Maybe the people on the Chicago forum do mod parties like our club and can hook you up. I have spent all day doing stripes roof graphics and tail light tint. I love doing that stuff. Good luck.

 

What! Mod parties! Installing tail lights tint and stripes all day long! That's it, I'm moving to Nashville, you guys have way more fun...

ps..by the way, did you have the black trim painted?? That looks so good..