BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-30-2008, 02:49 PM   #1
trurotim
New Member
4
Rep
14
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Mar 2008

iTrader: (0)

Clear Bra Providers

Picking up my 1 next week. Has anyone had experience with any installers of clear bra's? Looking for comments and prices
__________________
135i
Sapphire Black
Manual
Sport Pkg
Black Leatherette
Cold Weather
Park Distance
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2008, 12:12 AM   #2
JD135i
Enlisted Member
United_States
1
Rep
33
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (0)

Try here:

WheelDynamix on Rt. 135 in Natick, MA.

http://wheeldynamix.com/home.php

Ask for Jeff, he's the owner. He did the lower bumper and headlights on my 135i. Very professional, and a very nice job. I need to get my nose within a few inches of the bodywork to see that the covering is even there.

He'll quote you prices on the phone and they will be the actual prices. I really don't remember the exact price, but it was somewhere around $500.

One thing: I also had the outside side mirrors done. Jeff uses Xpel, and it's a very good product but the mirrors were a two-piece application due to the sharp crease in the mirrors. Surprisingly, I picked up some wind whistle from the mirrors afterwards. I'll be having the mirrors uncovered. Not even sure why I did them in the first place...

Tell him Jon w/ the 135 sent you!
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2008, 07:53 AM   #3
ML
Change for a Nickle?
ML's Avatar
14
Rep
875
Posts

Drives: 2006 M3, Mazda truck
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Westfield, MA

iTrader: (1)

If you are in the Springfield area, XX Tuning in East Hartford has done some nice work for some friends in the past.
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2008, 10:56 AM   #4
rob_nh
New Member
2
Rep
16
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

I also recommend Jeff from WheelDynamix. Way back in 2000, he did my Dodge Viper (which I sold to buy the 135i). It is VERY curvy and hard to get right.

In short, Jeff nailed it. 8 years later, the Xpel he installed still looked PERFECT.

I'm going to ask Jeff to do a "full" covering of my 135i as soon as it arrives.

-Rob
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2008, 12:06 PM   #5
Bdh821
Major
44
Rep
1,265
Posts

Drives: 2021 M550i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MA

iTrader: (3)

Anybody use these people? I did a search on MA clearbra dealers and read a bunch of good reviews about this place..

http://www.protectyourpaint.com/Contact_Us.html

It happens to be very close to my dealer. Altho Natick is right down the street also
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2008, 11:26 PM   #6
gio
Captain
50
Rep
628
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

I just got my 135 yesterday and I'm thinking about getting a clear bra installed by wheel dynamix in Natick. It's not too far from me, but it's not right down the street either. How long does the install take? Can they do it while I wait?

This car looks so nice that I want to keep it in perfect condition as long as I can.
__________________
Waiting on a 2015 M235
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2008, 02:13 PM   #7
rob_nh
New Member
2
Rep
16
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

Gio,

I'll let you know. I'm detailing my 135i this weekend and bringing it to Natick, MA for WheelDynamix to do a full coverage treatment on Monday.

I expect a few hours/half-a-day. I'll probably bring my laptop and do work while they work on the car.

-Rob
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2008, 04:53 PM   #8
Rachel
Dangerous Curves
Rachel's Avatar
United_States
94
Rep
1,148
Posts

Drives: better than the boys ;)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Shirley, MA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 Ducati 848EVO  [0.00]
2008 135i  [0.00]
Make sure they don't do the mirrors in 2 pieces. Mine was done in 2 pieces and there was an atrocious whistling noise. They have since removed the lower half and the whistle is gone.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2008, 10:55 AM   #9
rob_nh
New Member
2
Rep
16
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

I'm sitting in WheelDynamix right now as they are doing a full front coverage to my 135i. Jeff (the owner) is terrific and is letting me hang out and work/email while they are doing the install.

Already, it is incredible. VERY skilled installer with excellent material. Not surprising that it looks amazing. Total no-brainer.
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2008, 01:44 PM   #10
gio
Captain
50
Rep
628
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rob_nh View Post
I'm sitting in WheelDynamix right now as they are doing a full front coverage to my 135i. Jeff (the owner) is terrific and is letting me hang out and work/email while they are doing the install.

Already, it is incredible. VERY skilled installer with excellent material. Not surprising that it looks amazing. Total no-brainer.

How much is it going to cost you? Exactly what is being covered?
__________________
Waiting on a 2015 M235
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2008, 08:37 AM   #11
rob_nh
New Member
2
Rep
16
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

I went a bit NUTS and got everything covered from the doors forward. Hood, lamps, bumper, quarter panels, everything. In addition, I had the side sill covered back to the rear tire.

I had my 2000 Dodge Viper done 8 years ago, and when I sold it, it looked perfect! So, I went back to WheelDynamix and took it up a notch!

Finally, I had Jeff use the "premium" material from Xpel. That is, yet another, step up. Needless to say, the car looks amazing. It also took an entire day for the install.

Speak to Jeff about pricing, my take is that he's a bargain compared to the garbage material and poor installs you can get at the dealer.

-Rob
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2008, 08:05 PM   #12
Rachel
Dangerous Curves
Rachel's Avatar
United_States
94
Rep
1,148
Posts

Drives: better than the boys ;)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Shirley, MA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 Ducati 848EVO  [0.00]
2008 135i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by rob_nh View Post
I went a bit NUTS and got everything covered from the doors forward. Hood, lamps, bumper, quarter panels, everything. In addition, I had the side sill covered back to the rear tire.

I had my 2000 Dodge Viper done 8 years ago, and when I sold it, it looked perfect! So, I went back to WheelDynamix and took it up a notch!

Finally, I had Jeff use the "premium" material from Xpel. That is, yet another, step up. Needless to say, the car looks amazing. It also took an entire day for the install.

Speak to Jeff about pricing, my take is that he's a bargain compared to the garbage material and poor installs you can get at the dealer.

-Rob
You got your headlights done? Usually you aren't supposed to with the Xenon/HID cuz they burn right through. But very nice to hear!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2008, 08:06 PM   #13
Kris
Colonel
No_Country
123
Rep
2,295
Posts

Drives: m3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: USOFA

iTrader: (0)

Burn through? On what film? 3M does not have a burn through issue. You must be using a cheap film if that's the case Rachel
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2008, 11:05 PM   #14
Bdh821
Major
44
Rep
1,265
Posts

Drives: 2021 M550i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MA

iTrader: (3)

My headlights have clearbra on them... No problems what so ever
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2008, 11:29 PM   #15
Kris
Colonel
No_Country
123
Rep
2,295
Posts

Drives: m3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: USOFA

iTrader: (0)

My headlights have 3M Paint Protection film, no dramas at all.
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2008, 01:41 PM   #16
gio
Captain
50
Rep
628
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

I can't wait to get this done, but I guess I should get the scratch on my front bumper made by my license plate repair first.

Anyone recommend a good body shop near Boston that can do a minor bumper touch-up cheaply?
__________________
Waiting on a 2015 M235
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2008, 01:47 PM   #17
jlee
Captain
jlee's Avatar
No_Country
167
Rep
773
Posts

Drives: M2CS+GTS Targa+RRS SVR
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Washington DC

iTrader: (1)

has anyone purchased the clear bra kit from BMW ? it is in their accessories catalog for the 1

Jeff
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2008, 07:28 PM   #18
rob_nh
New Member
2
Rep
16
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

Something to think about with Clear Bras:

- Material. What material does BMW use? How about the material the "cheap install" the dealer provides by the lowest bidder? That stuff matters! Yellowing after a couple years, poor protection. You don't want to go there. 3M and Xpel are the big names. Stick with them.

- Installer. The installation is a big deal. Wrinkles, unaligned parts, cuts into your paint during trimming. You thinking about doing it yourself? Oh my!! I suggest you forget about that IMMEDIATELY!! The installers make it look easy, it is NOT!

I had a 2000 Dodge Viper with Xpel from WheelDynamix. After 8 years in New Hampshire, it was still PERFECT. So, I went back to WheelDynamix for more Xpel for my 135 vert.

I'm sleeping well now that is covered.

-Rob
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2008, 08:59 PM   #19
Rachel
Dangerous Curves
Rachel's Avatar
United_States
94
Rep
1,148
Posts

Drives: better than the boys ;)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Shirley, MA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 Ducati 848EVO  [0.00]
2008 135i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kris View Post
Burn through? On what film? 3M does not have a burn through issue. You must be using a cheap film if that's the case Rachel
sorry... I haven't even put it on the headllights, that's just what multiple installers told me. It's quite possible I'm being mislead.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2008, 11:26 PM   #20
Loaniegurl
New Member
0
Rep
9
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: May 2008

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ML View Post
If you are in the Springfield area, XX Tuning in East Hartford has done some nice work for some friends in the past.
Hey ML,

My 128i arrived this week and I'm looking for a good place to get the clear bra. You mentioned XX tuning? What's the cost and how does it compare to the dealer's "protection plus?"

Thoughts would be helpful
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2008, 09:55 AM   #21
dave96dcm
First Lieutenant
United_States
32
Rep
355
Posts

Drives: Many
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Gardner, MA

iTrader: (0)

Rachel you are being mislead, I have put the Lamin-X on a few E46's with HID's and they do not get hot at all. I'm pretty good at installing it on headlights and tail lights if you need a hand.
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2008, 10:34 AM   #22
ML
Change for a Nickle?
ML's Avatar
14
Rep
875
Posts

Drives: 2006 M3, Mazda truck
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Westfield, MA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Loaniegurl View Post
Hey ML,

My 128i arrived this week and I'm looking for a good place to get the clear bra. You mentioned XX tuning? What's the cost and how does it compare to the dealer's "protection plus?"

Thoughts would be helpful
A couple of friends used XX Tuning, so I don't know what they paid, just that they were happy with the work. I ended up using the guy recommended by the West Springfield BMW, which I can't remember the name of off the top of my head. I think it was about $600 and he was using one of the newer 3-M films. He was able to come to me for the install. I did end up with whistling from the 2-piece film installed on the mirrors. So, I would suggest trying to get a single piece of film on the mirrors.

Mike
__________________
"I tasted death many times on the river today. Do you want to know what it tasted like? Do you REALLY want to know? Well I'll tell you then: it tasted like BEEF JERKY." - unknown paddler 8/1/09
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:12 PM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST