Yet another Newbie in Raleigh...lol!!

[GOHEELSMINI]

Hello all, my name is Erin and I live in the Raleigh area. I recently bought a new 2008 Mini Cooper S two weeks ago and loving it!!! I have been used to Acura TLs and this is a very nice change...not to mention fun..hehe.

I did have a few questions...I have a laser blue mini, white roof, white mirrors, sunroof and white bonnet stripes on the hood. I have been wanting to do something with a reverse stripe on top and white stripes on the back...but hearing pros/cons on doing that. Any thoughts?

Also, I am hearing pro/cons on having the Xpel (3m) Clear bra added on my car. Does anyone have this or can give me some insight if it is something good to do or not. I know it has a warranty, but after reading the warranty...very vague on what it will cover...and also worried about peeling, etc after 5 years..Any thoughts?

Yes, and the final newbie question...with the drought still in effect in the area...what to do on cleaning your Mini? Auto Bell type car wash v/s touchless...they both have the pros/cons. I would prefer hand washing...but right now that is not going to happen. lol

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Happy driving!! :)

~Erin

[TWISTER]

I can speak on both of your first 2 points.

Stripes are easy and can be done. I can do your boot stripes on any warm day here in Winston. If you decide to get a clear bra your stripes must be removed and put back on top of the clear bra. The reason being stripes cost $25 and the clear bra costs $400+. Its better to toss the stripes rather than the clear bra.

Clear bra can peel if not taken care of. It's like tinted windows. Take care of them and they will last a long time. Its better to get this done when the car is new and not pitted by road debris. This will also cause it to not last like its intended. If you can afford to have it installed, do it. The shape of the MINI front end will get some sort of pits in it within the first year. The roads in NC have a lot of loose gravel and others don't care if they toss a few your way.

I hope get it installed on my new TWISTER II when it arrives in May.

Catch me on AIM if you ever need to chat.

[GOHEELSMINI]

Thanks for your sugestions. I for sure want the boot stripes done and will IM you...what do you think about the roof? Leave it alone and not add anything?

I will get the clear bra added then...thank you.

~Erin

[Mini Barb]

Erin,

I purchased my mini about a month ago. I got my paint protection and window tinting done at Formula One on Spring Forest Road.

http://www.formulaonetinting.com

I have been washing my car at the car wash near Pleasant Valley shopping center on Glenwood. I won't take my car to those drive through places! I'll look for you around town!

Barbara

[BlimeyCabrio]

+1 on Xpel/Clearbra... 17 months and 29,000 hard miles and my paint is LIKE NEW. My clearbra has a few divots in it - which would have been MONSTER gravel-induced paint chips without it... other than that, it's also like new.

[MidnightDave]

Welcome! I look forward to seeing your car. When you see the front of MINICHI, you'll know why people swear by the clear bra, my car is a mess, but so am I. ;-)

This is Anna's car, here in Charlotte, she did reverse top stripes...
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/2156/img2365uh6.jpg
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8370/img2366er4.jpg

[tarlander]

Twister is quite right on the clear bra. I had mine installed when I bought Rege. Twister installed the stripes later with the observation that it was better to replace stripes at a lesser cost than the bra at a much greater price. Also I was in one of those situations where you can see the debris (in my case it was a bolt big enough to see about two car lengths ahead, traveling at super-sonic speed and all you can do is freeze and watch it come at you). It hit just on the front curve of the hood, just nicking the clear bra, bounce up and hit the aluminum strip on the back of the hood and bounced up over the roof. Being a long distance truck driver I see, and receive, a lot of road hits. The bolt would have left a real big, bad, noticable dent without the bra. There are after market types that are good but research it before you leep.

Welcome to the club and hair raising rides!

[GOHEELSMINI]

Thanks everyone...I am going to for sure get the clear bra installed. I have really appreciated everyone's thoughts and answers on my newbie virgin questions.

You GUYS ROCK!! :cool:

[02R53]

Welcome to the club Erin

[Catseye]

Thanks everyone...I am going to for sure get the clear bra installed. I have really appreciated everyone's thoughts and answers on my newbie virgin questions.

You GUYS ROCK!! :cool:

Now we need to get you out on track..........:D

[GOHEELSMINI]

Haha...I am ready for the TRACK, John. :D

~Erin

[Sgt Pepper]

Hi Erin, and welcome to the club!! :D

Mike

[Catseye]

Haha...I am ready for the TRACK, John. :D

~Erin
Just so happens that a great opportunity is right around the corner:

THSCC VIR North Course

4/5/-4/6

Great program, GREAT track, ~1.5 hours away....

[jcauseyfd]

I just got my THSCC membership package in the mail today!:) Was talking to another parent from my girls soccer club last night and he is a regular up at VIR. Definitely need to add that to the list of destinations.

[GOHEELSMINI]

Everyone has been so helpful...Thanks guys..thanks for all your help!!

~Erin

[HPUdrew]

Hey Erin, that sure is a sweet MINI! I hope your Motoring Advisor wasn't too much of a jerk. ;) See you tomorrow for the Xpel and stripes!

Drew

[GOHEELSMINI]

haha, I hope your customer wasn't too High Maintenance for ya...:p See ya tomorrow.

~ Erin

[GOHEELSMINI]

So, I just got the clear bra installed...thanks to everyone's suggestion. Got the sport stripes done on the hood and boot...but the reverse stripes on the roof & sunroof didn't work out...boo. Have to get it done hopefully next month.

Here are the pics of the transformation so far...

~Erin

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm279/erinwheless/morecooper003.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm279/erinwheless/morecooper004.jpg

[Sgt Pepper]

Verrrrry nice!! :D

[TWISTER]

looks AWESOME!