MINI USA Introduces Sport Bonnet Stripes

Craig Apr 21st, 2006 Link

The description states that the stripes are made out of “high quality foil.” The implication is that these are made out of some type of metal foil. Aren’t the current stripes vinyl decals?

tony T Apr 21st, 2006 Link

Theres something so ‘wrong’ looking about what should be a great looking cabriolet Mini…. I think its the head light treatment….??? Just makes the car look ‘odd’…

I love viper stripes - fitted 2 sets myself, so hard to get perfect - thats why I practiced on my wifes car first!!!! LOL

blalor Apr 21st, 2006 Link

Aren’t the current stripes vinyl decals?

Yeah, and pretty damn cheap ones, at that. I’m stripping mine off this weekend.

That hole’s roughly tripled in size since I took that. The black is just ink on top of white vinyl; every nick shines like a beacon. :-(

I’m hoping to have Todd do new viper stripes like these in June, and I’ll probably add one of those clear bras, too. Hopefully I won’t have to have the hood repainted before doing that…

blalor Apr 21st, 2006 Link

The pictured car’s pretty darn hot, by the way!

JD Apr 21st, 2006 Link

I wonder if/when they will be added to the miniusa.com configurator?

Adam Apr 21st, 2006 Link

I’ve been toying with the idea of putting stripes on my car for a while now, but since I have a black/black Mini, I’ve been told that putting white stripes on a car with no white roof would look silly.

Hmm…

JD Apr 21st, 2006 Link

I’ve been toying with the idea of putting stripes on my car for a while now, but since I have a black/black Mini, I’ve been told that putting white stripes on a car with no white roof would look silly.

Viper stripes are good in this area if you want to continue on the roof. I have a CR/CR MCS and put bonnet/boot stripes on it and added white mirrors. I like how it looks without the white roof actually. Don’t be a slave to your matching roof!
Here are some pics if you are interested.

LTZMTOR Apr 21st, 2006 Link

Adam….. metallic dark grey. Only use premium grade vinyl… Oracal or Avery.

Adam Apr 21st, 2006 Link

JD, nice pics! I think the mirrors definitely help pull off that look.

LTZMTOR, any suggestions on where to get these brands? I think there’s a 3M detailing shop around my area (Toronto’ish). Would it be better to order through Morristown, and have them shipped up?

Jon Apr 21st, 2006 Link

Since they’re available at the dealer, does that mean that they install them?

Wraith Apr 21st, 2006 Link

wait a tic… where are the silver stripes for those of us with silver roofs/mirror caps?

LTZMTOR Apr 21st, 2006 Link

Adam…. Have a sign shop cut and install them… unless you have done this before you can make a mess of it, bubbles, creases, crooked. You have compound curves on a hood and that can be a bit touchy and can require a heat gun, squeegee, application tape…. etc.

I took the hood stripes off mine and they seemed very tough.

I used to apply vinyl when I did locations for the movie industry.

Bill Lawrence Apr 21st, 2006 Link

MINI is a little late to the party with this arent they? I always thought buying stripes from MINI was a ripoff anyway. You can have as good, if not better quality stripes put on for less than just buying the decals from MINI.

Josh Wardell Apr 21st, 2006 Link

Interesting they do not list separate numbers for the S, but shouldn’t there be a break for the hood scoop? I guess they just expect the installer to cut them.

dickdavid Apr 21st, 2006 Link

Too bad they don’t have Astro Black roof graphics or a complete set of silver.

Bruce Apr 21st, 2006 Link

Kind of funny that the term “Viper stripes” is being used. The retro-inspired Viper of the 1990s only had stripes to help it look something like an original AC Cobra of the 1960s. And lots of cars had twin “racing” stripes long before the Cobra did — they go back a long way.

Todd Apr 21st, 2006 Link

The description states that the stripes are made out of “high quality foil.” The implication is that these are made out of some type of metal foil. Aren’t the current stripes vinyl decals?

“foil”, I believe, is just a British term for this type of material. It’s the same vinyl the stripes are made of. Take a look at any of the install pdfs for othe MINI graphics and they’re referred to as foils also.

I, for one, applaud MINI for joining the party - late or not. And the price seems quite reasonable but remember, the price does not include installation.

I know a lot of people like to “mod” their MINIs after the fact but I would guess that about half of MINI buyers would rather roll everything into the price of the car at the time of purchase- given the option. It really comes down to convenience - if MINI offers what you want even though you can save a few dollars by waiting and taking your car elsewhere, you wouldn’t have it rolled into any potential loan and it just wouldn’t be as easy to go the aftermarket route as it would be to get at the dealer.

It’s not for everybody but I’m sure we’ll see some of those factory stripes on the roads soon because someone’s bound to like them.

Chad Apr 22nd, 2006 Link

I agreee, Todd, some people (like me, for example) would rather have the price of stripes, etc. added in to the final price of the car.

A question I haven’t seen addressed: are they only available as a dealer-installed option or can they be factory installed (thereby saving on the dealer install price)?

Olen Apr 22nd, 2006 Link

So if I ordered hood stripes “from the factory” as part of my sports package, could i request to have my dealer put these on instead?

mo-mini Apr 24th, 2006 Link

The sloping hood and aggressive front end that personifies the MINI (ie ‘leading with its chin’)means it is more susceptible to rock chips, etc than most cars. If you have stripes on your bonnet, it will take a pounding, too.

You can do a couple of things:

• Don’t sweat it and simply change out the bonnet stripes when you think they no longer look pleasing to you. I highly recommend cooperflags.com for replacement or custom stripes. They have cornered the market here in the Lower 48 and ship all over.

• Have the clear bra installed from the get-go and protect your bonnet. Invisishield is the MINI authoritzed product. Ventureshield is another excellent alternative (venturetape.com), too.

I have seen alot of MINIs over the last 3 years and I have to say I have been impressed with how well the vinyl stripes have held up compared to what other manufacturers have offered previously.

Again, you have choices which is what MINI is all about.

Happy Motoring,
mo-mini

Ben Apr 24th, 2006 Link

Does anyone know if MINI will offer these in silver, to match the silver roof/side mirrors?

jaMEs Apr 24th, 2006 Link

I’ve been toying with the idea of putting stripes on my car for a while now, but since I have a black/black Mini, I’ve been told that putting white stripes on a car with no white roof would look silly.

Adam - as far as black/black w/ stripes - i have an AB/AB and put on the jet black stripes w/ white pin. The jet black stripes highlight the bluish tint of the astro black.

maybe i’ll try the black viper stripes when i get tired of mine.

Alex Apr 24th, 2006 Link

Did anybody notice the Black around the lights? Wonder if that’s going to be a option too?

Gabe Apr 24th, 2006 Link

I think that’s just the chrome with a funky reflection.

petsounds Apr 24th, 2006 Link

The pictured MINI is sweet, and I normally don’t care for Pepper White that much. Is there a bigger version? Would love to have as a desktop.

Nice job on the stripes, MINI. Tasteful (for a change).

In response to others’ comments about MINI stripes, the normal MINI stripes may be high quality (whatever that means, they are vinyl), but they are a pain in the arse to keep pristine. Mine yellowed over just a year’s time and I had to spend several hours to restore them to their original white.

Gabe Apr 24th, 2006 Link

Click each image for a larger view.

MillieTheMini Apr 24th, 2006 Link

Gabe, or anyone in the know,

does anyone know if the JCW GP decal that is found around the hood scoop, may become an item that we can buy, or something that someone may make a version of?

I like the look of that particular decal, it makes the hood scoop look more like a flaring nostril, and accentuates the scoop without the need for stripes, or changing the colour of the hood scoop part itself.

An additional comment - while the black wheels look great contrasted against the Pepper White of the MINI, I think black wheels with a machined or chrome lip look even better. Against a white car, they just have the right amount of ‘pop’ without getting too ‘blinged’!

petsounds Apr 24th, 2006 Link

LOL Gabe, the popup javascript photo is not much bigger..not exactly 1920×1200. ;) I guess it would make a sweet mobile phone wallpaper though!

Gabe Apr 24th, 2006 Link

Oh I didn’t know you wanted wallpaper. Here you go.

petsounds Apr 24th, 2006 Link

Gabe — appreciate the effort, but was actually talking about the Pepper White.

You seem a tad saucy today.

Gabe Apr 24th, 2006 Link

Didn’t mean to be - sorry. Just extremely busy. I don’t have anything larger of the pepper white.

whiteroofradio.com » Woofcast #55 Apr 25th, 2006 Link

[...] Gabe gets the leather dash (you can actually see it here), MiniCarParts.net has a new contest (win $1500 worth of prizes from them!), and MINI introduces new bonnet stripes. [...]

alexandra Aug 30th, 2006 Link

HELLO I JUST GOT MY MINI COOPER S THIS WEEKEND. I’M TOTALLY LOVING IT. I BOUGHT THE CHILI RED WITH BLACK ROOF/MIRROR CAPS AND BLACK BONNET STRIPES. I’M LOOKING FOR BOOT STRIPES THAT MATCH THE FACTORY BONNET STRIPES. ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN GET THOSE?