I just ordered a Mini Cooper S (Brit Racing Green) and one of the options the dealer is really pushing is the "Clear Coat" that they offer to protect the paint, I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I did some searching around this forum and found a few topics about it, mostly that it was a good idea. However, my dealer wants $995 for it, which I think is a bit steep. So, is that too much money to pay for it? Is it worth a thousand bucks?

I saw that some people had done a similar clear coat job themselves, but I imagine it wouldn't be the easiest install for me, since I'd be parking it essentially on the street in DC for a while. How much would I expect to pay to have a local body shop put a clear coat on for me? So I guess my question breaks down to, of 3 choices, getting the dealer to do it, getting a 3rd party to do it, or doing it myself, which is the best choice? Thanks.

 

$995 is a good deal if you are the dealer.

I take care of my own paint with Zaino bros. You can buy a lot of care care products for $995.

 

By clear coat you must be talking about Permaplate or some other dealer add on. All MINI's have clear coat paint layer from the factory. Save your money, put several coats of Zaino on. There is nothing in a can that the dealer can apply that is worth close to $1000!

 

From what I understand, the "Clear Coat" option you're talking about is billed as a "paint sealant". Guess what? Zaino, Klasse, and Meguiar's NXT are paint sealants. Sure, we think of them as waxes, but ultimately, they're polymer sealants, used to protect the paint with a long-lasting coat. Zaino Z-2 or Z-5 retails for $14 a bottle or somewhere around there.

Point is, the difference between $995 and $14 + elbow grease every few weeks is enormous. You'd be waxing your "clearcoated" baby anyway, RIGHT?

Remember also that these cars have MILES of clearcoat on the paint anyway.

Hope this helps!

-Troy

 

Sorry, what I meant to say was "Clear Mask" not clear coat. Its like a clear vinyl bra for the car, it also covers the lights, the backs of the mirrors, and the back part of the car near the trunk latch. Its a dealer installed option, which is probably why its so much, they're charging me 120 bucks for the audio aux port, when its listed for 40 dollars on the mini website.

 

If you want to throw away $995 please PM me and I'll send you my address.

 

btw, most folks refer to this as clear bra. I chose not to buy one; my concern was how it would hold up over several years time (gouges, yellowing, peeling). My theory is that chips in the paint are part of owning a car. Kind of like grey hairs or wrinkles.

WELCOME to NAM!

 

Typically the "clear bra" style front protection installed runs about $500 to $550 so the dealer is making a huge markup. They will send it to an installer anyway. My tinted windows cost $180 and the guy who did it also did them for local dealers that charged $400!

 

My dealer (MAG In Columbus,OH) charged me around 300 which I thought was a bit steep for 2 pieces of clear plastic.. But after 6 months and 15000 miles it looks great!

 

If I get it at the dealer, its guaranteed for life, which is another reason it could be so expensive.

 

>>If I get it at the dealer, its guaranteed for life, which is another reason it could be so expensive.


If you would even remotely consider this $995 clear whatever ripoff you must have money to burn. I envy you. It wouldn't, be worth it even if it was guaranteed through your first three reincarnations.
:smile:


R.E.

 

>>>>If I get it at the dealer, its guaranteed for life, which is another reason it could be so expensive.
>>
>>
>>If you would even remotely consider this $995 clear whatever ripoff you must have money to burn. I envy you. It wouldn't, be worth it even if it was guaranteed through your first three reincarnations.
>> :smile:
>>
>>
>>R.E.

Heh, so obviously its not worth it. There really wasn't any way I going to pay 1000 bucks for that, I don't have that kind of money to burn, not after I'm dropping 23k on this mini. So what I gathered from other topics is that self install or a 3rd party is a good way to go. Anyone care to chime in on that?