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      12-28-2020, 12:10 PM   #1
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Thoughts on PPF - Doing Front Bumper + Full Sides

I wanted to get the forum members' thoughts on putting PPF on front bumper (plus headlights) and full sides instead of the more typical work of full front.

For the first 2+ years of my ownership, I did not have any PPF done (a decision that I somewhat regret) and had my front bumper and rocker panels severely chewed up from all the mountain driving and a handful of track days. After just putting up with it for a while, I finally got the bumper and the rocker panels refinished this winter and am contemplating on PPF decisions.

I do have a couple of small rock chips on the hood, but not nearly as much on the areas mentioned above. I think given the relative boxy and flared shape of the M2, that doing just the bumper and the sides make more sense, but wanted to see if anyone has gone that route, or have any thoughts on it.

Thanks in advance for your inputs!
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      12-28-2020, 01:38 PM   #2
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Hello -
I had PPF put on my M2C and am glad I had it done. I had full front, hood, fenders, A pillars and 6 inches of roof, rockers and rear fender (front and back).
My car is Black Sapphire Metallic and shows everything - no regrets.
You can always get the hood touched up before installing.
Hope that helps.
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      12-28-2020, 02:11 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Q_Subsub View Post
I wanted to get the forum members' thoughts on putting PPF on front bumper (plus headlights) and full sides instead of the more typical work of full front.

For the first 2+ years of my ownership, I did not have any PPF done (a decision that I somewhat regret) and had my front bumper and rocker panels severely chewed up from all the mountain driving and a handful of track days. After just putting up with it for a while, I finally got the bumper and the rocker panels refinished this winter and am contemplating on PPF decisions.

I do have a couple of small rock chips on the hood, but not nearly as much on the areas mentioned above. I think given the relative boxy and flared shape of the M2, that doing just the bumper and the sides make more sense, but wanted to see if anyone has gone that route, or have any thoughts on it.

Thanks in advance for your inputs!
I think you answered your own question with two+ years of real experience. If you ever get the hood refinished I would add that as well.

For me getting the PPF done was death by a thousand cuts. I walked in intending to get basic front protection and then I added the hood, roof and high impact side sections.
At that point a full PPF was not too much more and then we decided to do the full matte.
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      12-29-2020, 07:56 PM   #4
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Thanks for your inputs. It sounds like you both opted to get the hood and at least parts of the roof ppf'd as well and are happy with your decisions. I will keep that in mind.
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      12-31-2020, 10:18 AM   #5
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I got my entire car PPF'ed and have no regrets. That being said, I don't think it's "necessary" to get the entire thing done, obviously, but just comes down to how anal you are about swirls/chips/scratches etc. I'm very happy with mine thus far, and it's the first time I've had PPF put on any car I owned (also the first time I bought a brand new car). I'd be hard pressed not to get at least a front clip (bumper, entire hood, front fenders, mirrors, and headlights) done on any new car my family purchases it in the future too. Do you get all of your investment back upon sale of the vehicle? No. Do you get some value back upon sale of the vehicle? Probably. But regardless, for me at least, the peace of mind is worth the money - YMMV, but I'm a PPF believer.
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      12-31-2020, 12:58 PM   #6
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When I had my m235i one area I did not expect to get rock chips were my doors so I decided to get full PPF on my M2C. As others have said, no swirl marks is a huge bonus.
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      12-31-2020, 01:47 PM   #7
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I only had the front bumper and side mirrors covered cus I had to get it painted and wanted to preserve it from rock chips. I'm glad I did as I can already see nicks on the film that would have surely chipped the paint. As an added bonus, bugs and dirt stick so well to the film which makes washing easier.
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      01-02-2021, 10:31 PM   #8
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My OG m2 was keyed all down the passenger side.. I'll be doing full car ppf on my comp this time around. It's cheap insurance.
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      01-04-2021, 07:36 PM   #9
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What's the advantage of ppf over a 3m vinyl wrap? The prices seem to be relatively close to the same
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      01-04-2021, 09:06 PM   #10
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Quote:
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What's the advantage of ppf over a 3m vinyl wrap? The prices seem to be relatively close to the same
Based on a quick search - Wraps are thinner and don't offer the same amount of protection and they don't last as long in hot environments.
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      01-04-2021, 10:19 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MLifeCrisis View Post
Hello -
I had PPF put on my M2C and am glad I had it done. I had full front, hood, fenders, A pillars and 6 inches of roof, rockers and rear fender (front and back).
My car is Black Sapphire Metallic and shows everything - no regrets.
You can always get the hood touched up before installing.
Hope that helps.
Agree, don't neglect the A pillars and anterior roof section
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      01-05-2021, 01:13 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redgs4 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GFEA View Post
What's the advantage of ppf over a 3m vinyl wrap? The prices seem to be relatively close to the same
Based on a quick search - Wraps are thinner and don't offer the same amount of protection and they don't last as long in hot environments.
Yeah I read that too I'm just sayin if it's about the same price to wrap the whole car as it is to ppf critical areas I'm almost leaning towards the wrap at that point.

Logic tells me ppf is the better product for the track if it makes cost sense to cover the whole car.
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      01-05-2021, 01:53 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GFEA View Post
Yeah I read that too I'm just sayin if it's about the same price to wrap the whole car as it is to ppf critical areas I'm almost leaning towards the wrap at that point.

Logic tells me ppf is the better product for the track if it makes cost sense to cover the whole car.
Each has a purpose with a lot of overlap - depends on what you see as most important. If you are price sensitive to getting the entire car PPF'ed or want a color change with a bit of protection a wrap hits the bullseye. Several forum members have really nice color-change wraps.
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      01-06-2021, 02:24 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redgs4 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GFEA View Post
Yeah I read that too I'm just sayin if it's about the same price to wrap the whole car as it is to ppf critical areas I'm almost leaning towards the wrap at that point.

Logic tells me ppf is the better product for the track if it makes cost sense to cover the whole car.
Each has a purpose with a lot of overlap - depends on what you see as most important. If you are price sensitive to getting the entire car PPF'ed or want a color change with a bit of protection a wrap hits the bullseye. Several forum members have really nice color-change wraps.
Ok so here's some specs to help out been calling around.

Full vinyl wrap 2-3k. Lasts 3 years depending on color. 3mm thick. Still subject to rock chips.

Full ceramic ppf 6k. Lasts 10 years. Self healing. 6mm thick.

Ppf for just critical zones: 1,500-2500

Hope this helps. If you're keep
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      04-05-2021, 11:45 AM   #15
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I opted to ceramic coat the entire car and only PPF the front bumper for now. Due to the 6 month wait before you can ppf cus chemicals in the ceramic I'm getting ceramic coating on the entire car tomorrow except the bumper. After the PPF is installed I'm taking it back to ceramic coat over top the PPF.
Total cost: $1,150
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      04-30-2021, 10:06 AM   #16
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I've never done any sort of PPF of any of my previous cars, but decided to PPF the front bumper of the M2C, along with the headlights. Went with PremiumShield and it looks fantastic.
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