[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by ptgltw

I’m told Stek looks good for the while then you won’t be happy as it ages. Same applies for Suntek. Source? My Xpel installer. With that said all good questions to ask before spending $$

I just heard about stek (not suntek) yesterday. My installer has it as an option but simply said xpel would be better. Apparently the STEK has the ceramic baked in or infused but my installer is still recommending xpel regardless.

Anyone have experience with stek?

[AlpsRider]

I was given the option of Suntek or Xpel. They said that the Suntek is easier to install but that the Xpel was thicker. I went with Xpel.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

I just heard about stek (not suntek) yesterday. My installer has it as an option but simply said xpel would be better. Apparently the STEK has the ceramic baked in or infused but my installer is still recommending xpel regardless.

Anyone have experience with stek?

S-Tek (Shield Technology) is apparently hydrophobic and self-healing and on par with Xpel but a bit shinier.

I'm getting mine done with DynoLite

I've been checking videos on YouTube and found this guy to be very good.

This is all I've been able to find since being told about them.

[Rivvven]

I am receiving mine from the dealer on Saturday. It's going straight to the shop to get fully wrapped and ceramic coated. Mine will sit throughout the winter and will be driven on weekends/track days 6 months out of the year.

[cncmastr]

Going in tomorrow for full PPF. I already coated my wheels myself.

[AxM2CS]

Decided I couldn't wait for PPF after my car arrived at the dealer last night. Going to take my chances and enjoy it for a few/several days then get it in for a full monty.

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by AxM2CS

Decided I couldn't wait for PPF after my car arrived at the dealer last night. Going to take my chances and enjoy it for a few/several days then get it in for a full monty.

This gives me extreme anxiety!! Nooooooo!

[AxM2CS]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

This gives me extreme anxiety!! Nooooooo!

Pleeeeze .. don't pile on - already getting paranoid! Plan to get it in next week. Car cover may go on tonight. Trying to find empty, Grade-A roads to exercise it on in the meantime

[medphysdave]

I'm surprised by the number of folks that seem to go full monty $$$$ like there was never another option. Curious if there was ever a internal debate over cost, or was there previous bad experience that made it a must?

[AxM2CS]

I did not begin this journey expecting to wrap the car, and it took months of evolution in my thinking last year to arrive at the full ppf/ceramic/everything with tint. My entire car experience (mid-50's here) has been buy a flawless late-model car and drive the piss out of it for as long as you can .. until it hits that slippery slope where repair and maintenance is beginning to compete with servicing a note on a new car. My '02 540i is nowhere near that, BTW - still driving and functioning like a total champ, with damn near perfect leather and interior. However I now have the means and really, really wanted the M2CS. My son's '09 128i sparked my interest in a smaller car, as pedestrian as it is it's a blast to drive.

Now viewing the M2CS as a future classic, I see the full monty as an investment. Not a financial investment, oh no. An investment in my future joy and satisfaction at driving this machine with pride in its looks, turning heads as I go. My visual is seeing the occasional well-maintained 2002 out there - especially in orange or green (there are a few around here), just gets the heart racing. That was a consideration too in going with MB - like the way vivid colored cars (classic cars) age.

[medphysdave]

Originally Posted by AxM2CS

I did not begin this journey expecting to wrap the car, and it took months of evolution in my thinking last year to arrive at the full ppf/ceramic/everything with tint. My entire car experience (mid-50's here) has been buy a flawless late-model car and drive the piss out of it for as long as you can .. until it hits that slippery slope where repair and maintenance is beginning to compete with servicing a note on a new car. My '02 540i is nowhere near that, BTW - still driving and functioning like a total champ, with damn near perfect leather and interior. However I now have the means and really, really wanted the M2CS. My son's '09 128i sparked my interest in a smaller car, as pedestrian as it is it's a blast to drive.

Now viewing the M2CS as a future classic, I see the full monty as an investment. Not a financial investment, oh no. An investment in my future joy and satisfaction at driving this machine with pride in its looks, turning heads as I go. My visual is seeing the occasional well-maintained 2002 out there - especially in orange or green (there are a few around here), just gets the heart racing. That was a consideration too in going with MB - like the way vivid colored cars (classic cars) age.

Similar to my thinking. I'm trying to look into the future. Maybe a decade or more when the PPF comes off and car is perfect and not driven as often. It will be my DD now, so will get some abuse. I have a 69 charger that I'm getting ready to start working on again. I've had it for 23yrs. In storage at the moment, but I plan to keep the M2CS for the long haul.

[cncmastr]

At the PPF shop, which would you rather?

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by medphysdave

Similar to my thinking. I'm trying to look into the future. Maybe a decade or more when the PPF comes off and car is perfect and not driven as often. It will be my DD now, so will get some abuse. I have a 69 charger that I'm getting ready to start working on again. I've had it for 23yrs. In storage at the moment, but I plan to keep the M2CS for the long haul.

1969 Charger? What color and what engine?

[medphysdave]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

1969 Charger? What color and what engine?

It's a non original. I dropped in a 440 many years ago. Drove it every day and across the country. Then bought a more gas friendly vehicle and it sat. Been sitting for quite a while. I haven't fired it up in probably 10yrs. Wife and I have been talking about getting it out of storage and getting it running again. White when I bought it. Was originally a B5 blu.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by AxM2CS

I did not begin this journey expecting to wrap the car, and it took months of evolution in my thinking last year to arrive at the full ppf/ceramic/everything with tint. My entire car experience (mid-50's here) has been buy a flawless late-model car and drive the piss out of it for as long as you can .. until it hits that slippery slope where repair and maintenance is beginning to compete with servicing a note on a new car. My '02 540i is nowhere near that, BTW - still driving and functioning like a total champ, with damn near perfect leather and interior. However I now have the means and really, really wanted the M2CS. My son's '09 128i sparked my interest in a smaller car, as pedestrian as it is it's a blast to drive.

Now viewing the M2CS as a future classic, I see the full monty as an investment. Not a financial investment, oh no. An investment in my future joy and satisfaction at driving this machine with pride in its looks, turning heads as I go. My visual is seeing the occasional well-maintained 2002 out there - especially in orange or green (there are a few around here), just gets the heart racing. That was a consideration too in going with MB - like the way vivid colored cars (classic cars) age.

Way2GO

I'm in love with 2002 (also mid-50s) and will go on record saying my childhood love of the 2002 is the fundamental backbone to my deciding to buy the M2CS

For similar reasons you've mentioned, I'm also going full Monty (though with trepidation as it's my first time with PPF)

All the best with your endeavours

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by cncmastr

At the PPF shop, which would you rather?

The Blue one in a heartbeat

[AxM2CS]

Originally Posted by MadBimmeRad

Way2GO

I'm in love with 2002 (also mid-50s) and will go on record saying my childhood love of the 2002 is the fundamental backbone to my deciding to buy the M2CS

For similar reasons you've mentioned, I'm also going full Monty (though with trepidation as it's my first time with PPF)

All the best with your endeavours

And yourself! Kindred spirits. Was supposed to make it Down Under last year on business, before COVID took over. Will hit you up if it ever gets back on track. Want to see how you tear up the M2CS on the wrong side of the road

[kyrocks]

Originally Posted by cncmastr

At the PPF shop, which would you rather?

The F8.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by AxM2CS

And yourself! Kindred spirits. Was supposed to make it Down Under last year on business, before COVID took over. Will hit you up if it ever gets back on track. Want to see how you tear up the M2CS on the wrong side of the road

My good Sir,

It will be my honour to host you when you next visit.

With advanced warning, we might try to organise a couple of the good M2CS-loving souls such as @Davil, Jimjamz, and Alpine* to get together at our brand new-ish world-class track where it doesn't matter what side of the road you drive on lol

Although I must admit, being left-handed, I like it better here.

Be well

[AxM2CS]

I have to confess, my stepfather was British and I first learned to drive in England, on a WW2 airfield, drilled every day for a week when I was 14, commanding his 1975 Triumph Spitfire - British racing green . Took me awhile to adjust to shifting with the right hand when I later got my license in the U.S.

[jessief29812]

Getting ceramic + PPF the entire front on Friday. Put about 150 miles (mainly driving it back from the dealer) and planning to keep this thing under a car wrap until that's done. I'm just too paranoid to drive this car and isn't worth damaging that beautiful paint.

[TCBavarian]

Originally I voted for nothing but I decided on full front, mirrors, rockers, rear fender pieces (larger than factory) and behind the rear wheels. Very pleased with the results. I did a full paint correction and then did 303 graphene nanospray coating on the entire car, glass, trim, wheel faces, barrels and calipers.

I get most of my detailing education from Mike Phillips at AutoGeek and he speaks very highly of the stuff on the forums. It is applied like a ceramic coating with a flash time however there is no cure time. It was actually pretty easy to do the wipe off unlike most reviews. I detailed a neighbor's car with TW Seal n Shine. Wife's X5 has Gtechniq ceramic which I'm pleased with also. Ultimately I think all things considered I'd give the 303 my vote.