[bmw246]

Hey guys, so I am not a fan of the clear bra for many reasons, and I just need something to cover the front for a few longer highway trips that I can take off and not have to worry about chips or scratches in the bumper being kicked up on the highway so even though it's really ugly it doesn't matter. BMW sells one for 125$. Does this sound like the best deal? Any other insight would be great, especially if you have one, thanks!

[Blubaron79]

Have you ever seen the clear bra in person? It's magic. :-)

[Martin328i]

leather?

[bmw246]

yeah I have seen it and over time they yellow and I also see where the clear bra ends and I don't like how that looks, I would rather just get the leather on I can remove and not have to worry about, the clear bra is a cool idea but I feel like it's not perfect yet

[bmw246]

and yeah theirs a black leather bra you can get that clips underneath the bumper and doesn't need any kind of permanent instal or screw or anything like that, however, I have never seen anyone with one and would like to know where people get them if not at BMW and also if they are difficult to take on and off or maybe any other ideas?

[Martin328i]

It most probably is vinyl and the bad thing about them is mositure can get trapped underneath and cause problems. YOu have to take them off to allow the car to dry after rain and if not installed correctly they can whip up and down at high speeds and cause hairline scratches in your car's finish.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by Martin328i

It most probably is vinyl and the bad thing about them is mositure can get trapped underneath and cause problems. YOu have to take them off to allow the car to dry after rain and if not installed correctly they can whip up and down at high speeds and cause hairline scratches in your car's finish.

Indeed. Besides, didn't car bras go out in the nineties, with the Iroc Z4s?

[bmw246]

thanks for the advice

[unrealii]

I have one for sale. My bumper is an msport so it doesnt fit perfectly

[R608]

Wow, I had forgotten about those black vinyl bras. Had one on an old Accord for a while, but got sick of dealing with it and didn't like the look. If it's only to throw occasionally for long highway trips, it could be an okay solution. You'd want to wash the car each time before you put it on, though, and if grime gets under it while it is on (quite easy), it can mar the paint which kind of defeats the purpose. I'd skip it and just stay out from behind the big trucks, personally.
(Sorry unrealii )

[Dickson]

You could probably find one if you get into a time machine and travel back to 1997.

[e92mart]

As above these can be great but you have to be careful,A friend left his on permanently on his what was a mint e36 bonnet,The state of it when removed was unbelievable!

The clear vinyl is good some places even do it precut for your car.

[crashoverride]

Yep I had one on my Prelude thinking it would protect. When in fact it actually just traps every piece of dust, dirt and grit.....basically turning into a huge piece of sandpaper. You can kiss your paint goodbye.


Clear bras actually aren't that easy to see and those that do see it know you spent extra to properly take car of your car. Which means the shop and car wash people will usually give a little extra car to your car over others. No downsides on the clear bra.

[toughluck]

Originally Posted by bmw246

yeah I have seen it and over time they yellow and I also see where the clear bra ends and I don't like how that looks, I would rather just get the leather on I can remove and not have to worry about, the clear bra is a cool idea but I feel like it's not perfect yet

Clear bra is a lot closer to perfect when compared to leather bra. The yellowing is only if not cleaned regularly and after say 5 years of being in the sunlight.

[roadkillrob]

Those old vinyl material things besides looking terrible actually did more damage than not having anything there over time!

The new clear bra's are impossible to see when done right, much better than they used to be and most of the material is now guaranteed not to crack or yellow for 10 years - much better solution than the old ones.

[roundel335]

Yeah, the new Xpel film actually is self-healing, too - if it gets scratched or rock-chipped, you put warm water on it and leave it in the sun and in an hour or two it's gone! Plus, if you already have a couple little nicks here and there, the film will completely hide them.

[jmen11]

Originally Posted by bmw246

yeah I have seen it and over time they yellow and I also see where the clear bra ends and I don't like how that looks, I would rather just get the leather on I can remove and not have to worry about, the clear bra is a cool idea but I feel like it's not perfect yet

You don't like the look of the clear bra but think the black vinyl looks good?

[bmw246]

no i dont think it looks good ha but seriously its for a 3 hour drive down south and it'll come off as soon as i get their

[Mystro]

have friends with the clear one and i dont really see a downside.. my gpa had is camaro repainted and put one on to protect it and it totally messed up the paint on the front end

[ChuckBMW3]

Originally Posted by bmw246

yeah I have seen it and over time they yellow and I also see where the clear bra ends and I don't like how that looks, I would rather just get the leather on I can remove and not have to worry about, the clear bra is a cool idea but I feel like it's not perfect yet

Mine is not the least bit yellow, and I have it on my e90 for 4+ years. However, I will say that it "swirls" just as easily as a car's clear coat does.

[roundel335]

If you put one of those vinyl bras on the front end of your car, and it gets wet and you forget to pull it off, it will turn the paint a milky color - or so it did on my Boxster several years ago. If you don't want to use the clear film, then get yourself a roll of wide blue painter's tape and tape it up. It'll come off easy when you return with no paint damage.

[Noncom23]

Originally Posted by bmw246

Hey guys, so I am not a fan of the clear bra for many reasons, and I just need something to cover the front for a few longer highway trips that I can take off and not have to worry about chips or scratches in the bumper being kicked up on the highway so even though it's really ugly it doesn't matter. BMW sells one for 125$. Does this sound like the best deal? Any other insight would be great, especially if you have one, thanks!

I think Auto Anything has some
for sale.