[boss2k]

Is precut pattern better than installer cutting and wrapping the edges?

[AUSf22]

I've booked in for a full car PPF, car will go straight from the dealer when I take delivery to get PPF-d.

[kyrocks]

I only PPF my track cars. I don't track my M2C therefore it has no PPF. Some areas on plastic bumper get tiny rock chips, but none on metal panels (yet). You can't tell unless you get down and close. I'm not saving the car for the next person, just driving and enjoying it.

[mikeyymonster]

Full car pricing hurts

[papibigred]

Originally Posted by kyrocks

I only PPF my track cars. I don't track my M2C therefore it has no PPF. Some areas on plastic bumper get tiny rock chips, but none on metal panels (yet). You can't tell unless you get down and close. I'm not saving the car for the next person, just driving and enjoying it.

I love the philosophy of not saving the car for the next person. I shall learn from you. On the other hand, I'm a visual person that rock chips and dings hurt to see. I have to accept it is going to happen but with PPF I can at least minimize the heartache.

[JustinHEMI]

Protecting your paint isn't 'saving it for the next person'.

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

Protecting your paint isn't 'saving it for the next person'.

Unless you keep the car for more than 5 yrs

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Up4speed

I have a 2021 M2C that is scheduled for September production. I'm trying to decide whether to do PPF or not when the car arrives. If I do it, I would like to do it while the car is still new. I would probably do the whole nose, and mirrors.
What have you guys decided, and are you happy with the decision, or do you regret it.
The Pros of doing it are obviously to protect the paint.
The cons are:
-Cost
-Edges that will eventually get dirt caught in them and look bad
- Peeling at the edges of the aggressively angled front bumper
- Lack of paint clarity where it's applied
- Have to replace every 5 or 6 years
- Risk of pulling paint up when removed and needing a full repaint, or at least a clear coat

Here is my two cents:

1) Find a quality PPF installer.
2) Almost ever PPF edge on my car is wrapped over. Barely any exposed edges.
3) Clarity - I haven't seen this with XPEL Ultimate.
4) My installer has zero issues removing PPF.


Almost my entire car is wrapped including my Winglets, and Front Lip.

[yuriydee]

How much are you guys paying for PPF installation (at least on the high risk areas like bumpers)?

My M2C is in transit right now so Im also debating getting PPF done when it comes in.

[Brandt51]

It wasn't cheap. I spent right around $5k total for all the work I had done. Paint correction, PPF applied all over, and ceramic coating including the wheels and calipers.

Despite the high cost, I justified it because I will be keeping this car for its whole life, it's a garage queen and it makes a huge difference on appearance plus it cleans off very easily. It's just a plain jane M2C, but I'm keeping it all BMW and never leave it outside or drive it inclement weather. Not that I wouldn't, but I don't need to since I have a couple other cars I don't really car about. So it makes me happy to take care of this little car.

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

The key to this was mentioned in Brandt's post above.

...it makes him happy.


If PPF will make you happy, do it. Period.


And who says money can't buy you happiness?

[Up4speed]

For those 5 people that did it and regret it, can you please share why you regretted it?
Was it purely because of cost, and that you didn't notice that it saved you from anything? Or was there another reason?

[papibigred]

Originally Posted by yuriydee

How much are you guys paying for PPF installation (at least on the high risk areas like bumpers)?

My M2C is in transit right now so Im also debating getting PPF done when it comes in.

I spent like $3200 for full front and rocker panels along with window tint. No ceramic. All facilitated thru my dealer. Figure have them do it before I took it off the lot.

[wavyyyy]

Originally Posted by Peterglen

I guess you definitely need a good shop to get a good touch up but there are good people out there.

Hokenheim silver is incredibly easy to paint match I’m told by my guy who painted my aftermarket hood and also touched up my front bumper a bit as well as and area on my left side rocker panel.

I personally couldn’t tell anything had ever happened after

Which hood is that?

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Have you tried removing PPF from your 12 old paint, I bet it won't be successful without damaging the paint

The key here, after a repaint, is for it to fully cure. Paint is done in a spray booth that gets to around 120-140 *F. But it still takes 2-4 weeks, depending on your weather, for all the solvent to escape and fully cure.

[M2sday]

Went with full front PPF and don't regret it at all. Make sure to find a quality custom installer - the computer generated cuts of film leave many visible edges. It's a little more pricey to go the custom route, but imo, well worth it.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Unless you keep the car for more than 5 yrs

For the next person is ridiculous. When you own the car you have to look at it, not the next person. PPF is so the paint doesn't look like shit under your ownership. It just ends up being a bonus to the next person.

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by akkando

For the next person is ridiculous. When you own the car you have to look at it, not the next person. PPF is so the paint doesn't look like shit under your ownership. It just ends up being a bonus to the next person.

All that verbage is you talked about is fine and everyone knows. The point is if you are trading the cars every 1 or 2 yrs its not worth the investment unless you own the car for more than 4 yrs

For example I ceramic coated my vette 2 months back and now selling it for the M2, its a total waste of money and beneficial to the new owner

[akkando]

Originally Posted by boss2k

All that verbage is you talked about is fine and everyone knows. The point is if you are trading the cars every 1 or 2 yrs its not worth the investment unless you own the car for more than 4 yrs

For example I ceramic coated my vette 2 months back and now selling it for the M2, its a total waste of money and beneficial to the new owner

cars are not investments

in two years you can see a lot of rock chips depending on location and use case. two years is a long time to look at a front end with chips, that said I couldn't justify ppf for just two years.

Doing anything to a car and selling it 2 months later is likely a waste of money if you're not rich. If you had changed the tires it would have probably been a waste of money.

[Peterglen]

Originally Posted by m0butt

Which hood is that?

Ali baba aluminum hood. I think it’s the same unit suvneer sells. Just a bit cheaper.

[No_curebimmer]

Everyone has a valid point here: it all boils down to "value vs. worth". If one sees value in something, they can justify its worth (and price).

I once hanged around a respected violinist, who used to say that, if given the chance, she will sell everything she owned just to play a genuine Stradivarius. Apparently the sounds violins once made by the famed Familia Stradivari ~400 yrs ago had been unequaled even in today's tech world. I didn't see any reasoning in her madness, but I am no violinist. I believe she was dead serious...

In my opinion, there is no right or wrong here: you may value more $$ in your pocket who will be put to better use (mortgage, college funds) or you may value and take comfort that your car has some additional level of protection against door dings at the local grocery store, flying debris from that semi in front of you or favourite bird bombs.

It's worth noting here that, judging by some forum members' comments, the M2C may been their dream car; some dreams are worthwhile holding onto and protect them. I happen to be in that camp.

[redgs4]

Originally Posted by No_curebimmer

I once hanged around a respected violinist, who used to say that, if given the chance, she will sell everything she owned just to play a genuine Stradivarius. Apparently the sounds violins once made by the famed Familia Stradivari ~400 yrs ago had been unequaled even in today's tech world. I didn't see any reasoning in her madness, but I am no violinist. I believe she was dead serious...

This may not change your friends opinion, as a Stradivarius is still a Stradivarius but the "unequaled" part has been questioned in blind testing.
https://www.nature.com/news/science-...iolins-1.21954

My M2C is going in on Tuesday for a partial wrap and full ceramic and given the cost I'm certainly hoping for unexpected joy rather than lessons learned.

.