Does your car have a clear bra?

[S65NAPWR]

Wanted to know how many actually got one, and any comments on why you didn't get one. thx.

[porshah]

All cars that I have bought new had it installed right away.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by porshah

All cars that I have bought new had it installed right away.

Thanks for polling bro.

Do you have a picture of the M3 bumper and where "lines" would show if you looked?

Also, looks like you're in my area, where did you have your car(s) clear bra'd?

[Rshane]

I did an online search to see what the hype about a clear bra is about. Although I don't really see a use for this on our cars, you have given me a great idea for a Christmas gift for the wife.



Maybe those Massdrop guys can arrange a group buy?

[porshah]

Originally Posted by S65NAPWR

Thanks for polling bro.

Do you have a picture of the M3 bumper and where "lines" would show if you looked?

Also, looks like you're in my area, where did you have your car(s) clear bra'd?

Will send you a pm regarding installer.

I don't have any pics handy. My car is Melbourne Red. Sure you can see the "line", especially on the hood, but to me it's well worth it.

[sycd]

Never had clear bra until we bought our X5. Had a pre-cut kit installed by dealership when the car was delivered. The clear bra looked like crap, and I ripped it off a couple of weeks later. The only way I would go now is a custom job, with no seams, but I'm sure that would be a lot more expensive.

[quadpipes]

Went right from the dealer to the installer's shop. The peace of mind is well worth the fact that in some light conditions you can (barely) see the hood line. Good luck.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Have it on my M3 and loving it, you barely can see it. I install a new set every 2 years tough, but it's only because i get a really good deal for it.

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by S65NAPWR

Do you have a picture of the M3 bumper and where "lines" would show if you looked?

↓ Close up ( < 1 ft) = easy see the only film-to-film seam of a one-piece front bumper cut.



From about twice the distance of the pic above...↓




Where the bumper film ends below the headlights. ↓



I've no pics of hood seam lines as the hood coverage is total. Having had partial hood coverage on previous cars, the lines are very hard to see, if not impossible, on dark paint beyond ten or fifteen feet in good lighting. On lighter colors, the lines are easier to spot as the grit, grime tend to accumulate where the film ends.

FWIW, as another mentioned about disastisfaction with a clear bra install, I recommend going outside a dealer for the installation provided you can locate someone that knows what he is doing. For your area, I cannot recommend one, but perhaps others will be of help.

[bvanderbilt]

How much does quality work for this job usually cost?

The problem I've seen on other cars is not the visible line itself but the debris that accumulates. Also the bra seems to yellow over time and becomes noticeable and just looks a bit dirty.

My AW car seems to be impervious to rock chips; my SG car before would get them just looking at it; I would definitely consider this for SG.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by Eau Rouge

↓

I've no pics of hood seam lines as the hood coverage is total. Having had partial hood coverage on previous cars, the lines are very hard to see, if not impossible, on dark paint beyond ten or fifteen feet in good lighting. On lighter colors, the lines are easier to spot as the grit, grime tend to accumulate where the film ends.

FWIW, as another mentioned about disastisfaction with a clear bra install, I recommend going outside a dealer for the installation provided you can locate someone that knows what he is doing. For your area, I cannot recommend one, but perhaps others will be of help.

Thanks man, that's very useful info. and great picts. The headlight seam seems bigger than I thought it would be.

I do know a very good installer, so no worries there. Price is very high though.

[bvanderbilt]

Originally Posted by S65NAPWR

Thanks man, that's very useful info. and great picts. The headlight seam seems bigger than I thought it would be.

I do know a very good installer, so no worries there. Price is very high though.

How much? Are we talking $500? Or $1500? If the later, not sure I'd get a bra over a quality respray if I was concerned about rock chips.

[Eau Rouge]

Basic install, typically dealer arranged or third party using film of their choice for partial hood, front bumper, maybe mirrors will be in $800-$1k range in my area. The films vary, maybe it's Starshield or something by Bekaert or other.

For a custom install, figure on around $2k and up for a custom install with top drawer film. For around $2k, you should be able to get full front bumper, full fenders, full hood, mirrors and maybe something extra. Roof, trunk lid, rear bumper, rocker panels, rear wheel arches, etc.., can be added. Of course, if you have two cars that you want to have clear bra'd, you can probably get better pricing.

[Franken///M]

I have the entire front bumper, hood, front quarter panels, rock guard and rear quarter panels done over an year ago. The only place you can tell there is something there is at the seams/edges if you are not careful and don't clean up any wax residue. If you get really close, <1 ft you can tell that something is on there if you are looking at it. For me, any downside with having the clear bra is worth the protection it provides.

[LucWerkz]

Protection NEVER feels good.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by bvanderbilt

How much? Are we talking $500? Or $1500? If the later, not sure I'd get a bra over a quality respray if I was concerned about rock chips.

Originally Posted by Franken///M

I have the entire front bumper, hood, front quarter panels, rock guard and rear quarter panels done over an year ago. The only place you can tell there is something there is at the seams/edges if you are not careful and don't clean up any wax residue. If you get really close, <1 ft you can tell that something is on there if you are looking at it. For me, any downside with having the clear bra is worth the protection it provides.

Originally Posted by Eau Rouge

Basic install, typically dealer arranged or third party using film of their choice for partial hood, front bumper, maybe mirrors will be in $800-$1k range in my area. The films vary, maybe it's Starshield or something by Bekaert or other.

For a custom install, figure on around $2k and up for a custom install with top drawer film. For around $2k, you should be able to get full front bumper, full fenders, full hood, mirrors and maybe something extra. Roof, trunk lid, rear bumper, rocker panels, rear wheel arches, etc.., can be added. Of course, if you have two cars that you want to have clear bra'd, you can probably get better pricing.

Thanks for your thoughts, all very helpful. It's true a quality respray is about 550 for either hood, bumper, and therefore it comes out to be about the same between that and a quality full coverage clear bra.

[Mike van D]

None for me...rather shell out for a respray if needed. Don't care for the look.

[gatorfast]

Don't have one and don't really see the appeal. They are expensive and don't look very good IMO. A few rock chips seem to be much less noticeable than the lines created by the clear bra.

[Kwando]

While I was getting my tints done I once got quoted 400ish (from a reputable shop) to have the bumper done only..too pricey. I rather other mods.

[m3an]

Some of you guys are worse than girls. Wrapping the entire cars less the doors? It's a car... Driven on public roads... Shit happens. I deal with it. Never got into the clear bra thing.

[jphughan]

I got it after noticing that the chip issues on my M3's front bumper were as bad after 6 months as my previous car's (08 Acura TL Type-S) were after 3 times that long! BMW uses some seriously soft paint. I got the front bumper, headlights, and mirrors done for $540, which included a discount since I got tint at the same time. Didn't do the hood since I think the seam looks ugly, and yeah I have a few chips at the edge of my hood, but in that case I agree that constant bad looks from a seam is worse than minor chip issues over time.

But on my Le Mans you can only see the lines at the very edge of the panels. And even then only at a distance of a few inches when you know it's there. If you don't know it's there and/or you're looking at it normally, no chance you'll see it on my car.

[Transfer]

No thanks on the clear bra. Looks like ass on AW as well. I have 23k miles on my car and no rock chips. BMW paint is very good IMO.