Hello,

I just got a 06 MC, and I don't really know much about cars. I read on here a few times about something called a "clear bra" and was wondering if I should get it or not.

I have a pretty good idea what it is, and what it is for, but I have never seen it in person, or heard of it before reading a few posts on this site.

Anyways, let me know your thoughts.

oh btw I live in Canada

 

Heck yes.

Do a search - LOTS of threads/posts on this topic.

 

Yes I recommend them highly. I had mine installed before I took delivery. The blunt nose of the MINI is very susceptible to stone chips.

I was sick and tired of touching up stone chips on my previous car and promised myself that my next car will have it.

Price including installation can be pricey. But shop around, ask other forum members in Canada about installers.

 

Very happy with mine! Beats the heck out of having your bonnet beat up from bugs, rocks and whatever else!

 

Well, speaking as someone who does NOT have a clearbra, definitely get one!

I currently have upwards of 2 dozen chips on my bonnet right now (on an '06 that I've been driving for 11 months). Later this summer I will be searching for someone who can do a decent clearbra install after I get the front touched up.

So while it can be a pricey install, the alternative isn't cheap...

Ed

 

Alright, sounds like a good idea to get one.

Anyone in Ottawa know a good place to buy one and get it installed? Do MINI dealerships handle it?

 

A dissenting view... I'd rather see honest road chips than plastic.

 

I don't have it (yet). But, it really is almost invisible. You really have to look carefully to know it's there.

 

Agreed. Have it and love it, and it really is invisible as long as you take care to keep the edges clean after you wax.

 

Yes. On a dark color car you can barely see it.

 

I have it on my 06 and swear by it. Barely visable and it protects great.

 

I would like to find a removable one to put on the front of mine that I can take off for normal road driving, but put on for track days. Those flippin' open-wheeled Westfields and Atoms chuck stones up all over the place.

 

I have an 06' Astro Black without and let me tell you, get one. I should have.

 

I have it on both my MINIs...one is Silk Green and the other is Royal Grey. Neither color shows the ClearBra, except in varying shades of light. As for safety against rock chips, these cannot be beat, IMHO.

 

The downside to clear bras is that they are very expensive. When I checked a few years ago, it was going to be around $300 for the material and another $200-300 for installation. I decided to pass. (Those are US dollars, your dollar may vary)

That being said, I have 49,000 miles on my MINI and you would never know it when you saw it - unless you look at the front bumper which looks like it was hit by a shotgun blast.

If you've got the money, a clear bra probably is a worthwhile investment for you.

 

I agree with most of the posts. I guess the person with "honest rock chips" is welcome to his/her opinion. There are enough posts of pics from bug mass suicides and I would have to agree with those who appreciate the protection provided by the bra. The protection offered is more than worth the very slight edge line from the plastic. I have a beautiful PW/G convertible and really glad I had the dealer install the clear bra before delivery. Best of luck with the new MC!

 

I love my Bra and you can't even tell it is installed. I love the peace of mind the protection. It did cost extra but after two years, I am very happy.





Cheers

 

yes, don't get the dealer to do it... too much $$$ get an aftermarket.. and try and get the whole front bumper done too... a friend in our club got it, and it looks good, and now I wish I had of thought of that.. my front bumper is sand blasted... and my clear bra where I have it... I can see where I saved a lot of chips

 

Don't get it. Crazy expensive. Not worth the ugly plastic line.

For the amount it costs, you can repaint/touch-up in a few years if it really bothers you... And it won't unless you're on the highway all the time. After 2 years, I have very few noticeable rock knicks, and some are in places not protect by the clear bra anyhow.

I always recommend against it if you don't commute on the freeway.

 

Don't think of them as rock chips, think of them as experience points.

 

Really? you can paint the hood and bumper for less then $300? EIther we are getting ripped off for painting up here? or the bra is super cheap.... to just do the hood, you're looking at aprx $100 CDN. (that is to install the clear bra) and a 3M product.

 

I can't say "don't get it," but I probably won't. If you are obsessive about how your car looks, I would say it is a good way to go. But, if like me, you don't dry your car using 8 different cloths, don't fear that someone staring at it will fade the paint, etc., clear bra is awfully expensive.

 

I can tell you from one week's experience, the paint is fragile and chips easily. I concur with everyone else that the amount of highway driving is a good way to factor.

 

My grandfather had plastic seat covers on his car, and my grandmother kept the cellophane covers on her lampshades. I think I'd rather deal with the few rock chips based on where I live/travel. Now, I might reconsider if I had to drive among rock haulers all the time.

 

Jeeez. Now that you put it that way....... Thanks. You saved me some money! Damn, now I can smell whatever it was that was always cooking at my grandmother's house.