Clear Bra/Paint protection film

[AIRPOWER]

Does anyone have a clear bra on their F80/82. Which brand? How much? Would you recommend it?

I live in the Netherlands and the only one I could find over here is Xpel Paint Protection film, full front end for 1599 euros installed.

[Periokid]

That is the stuff you want.

[AIRPOWER]

Awesome thanks, that is what I was hoping to hear

[gblansten]

Try this subforum: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=630

There are a bunch of useful threads in there.

[HokieM4]

I just got Expel installed on my M4 for $1400 USD (full front).

[rymiller73]

Originally Posted by HokieM4

I just got Expel installed on my M4 for $1400 USD (full front).

Who did you go with?

[MHOW996]

I had Suntek full front, rockers, full roof, and bottom rear quarter panels for $1,800 USD

[AIRPOWER]

Can you tell that there is a film on there (i.e. see it it, feel it)? Is it self healing after a rock hits it?

[Egrunt]

I had the full front end done, mirrors, rocker panels, front of rear quarter panels, and a strip on the top of the rear bumper. I had Xpel Ultimate installed as a cost of $1,900. It took 3 days to install. I inquired who installed the paint film at Audi and Porsche of San Diego on vehicles that were located on the showroom with the paint film protection. The installation was top notch and I contacted their installer and went that discretion. I could have payed less ($1,200) and it would have taken 4 hours to install everything I mentioned above. The installer removed the grill, headlights, and emblems to install the film. I have had the film installed on my vehicle since Aug of 2014. I am completely happy with the product and the installation.

My M3 is parked in the garage and is only driven on the weekends since I have a company vehicle I have to drive to to work. I have 5,500 miles on the film and it still looks brand new and the M3 is parked in a garage. I have been using Chemical Guys Ecosmart Hyper concentrated water less car wash to clean the M3 (Once a week) and it has not left any marks on the film.

I highly recommend Expel paint protection.

[chillindrdude]

Mine was $1200 for detail with paint correction prior to XPEL installation. The installer is certified and the installation has a 10yr warranty.

I had full front bumper, half hood, mirrors, headlights, all door edges, top of rear bumper, and underside of door handles.

If you are in DC Metro/NoVA, i can put you in contact.

[AndyLu]

I'm thinking of putting a matte vinyl wrap since it'll be that pricey

[RJVIII]

I have XPEL Ultimate. Can't tell it's there. Worth the money for the protection given. Had full hood, bumper, fenders and roof done.

[CaryTheLabelGuy]

Crazy prices.

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by CaryTheLabelGuy

Crazy prices.

You get what you pay for.

$1800 for basically a full front clear bra (+ roof / rear quarters) with 10 year warranty on all the areas that would attract chips is worth it, assuming you value not having chips on your front end. If you don't care about them, or you live in an area where it's super rare to get one, I suppose it's not worth it. But for most of us in high traffic metro areas, it's worth every penny.

It's the first mod I do on the car, every time now.

Florida might not be bad for chips... it's bad here in AZ/CA. Lots people actually even go full xpel and do the entire car, which usually is between $4k and $6k. If I was going to do that, I would do Xpel Stealth.

[specracer]

Xpel here too.

[goneloco]

Originally Posted by RJVIII

I have XPEL Ultimate. Can't tell it's there. Worth the money for the protection given. Had full hood, bumper, fenders and roof done.

Ditto for me. Plus the door handle cutouts. Going to go back for the rocker panels.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by guarnibl

You get what you pay for.

$1800 for basically a full front clear bra (+ roof / rear quarters) with 10 year warranty on all the areas that would attract chips is worth it, assuming you value not having chips on your front end. If you don't care about them, or you live in an area where it's super rare to get one, I suppose it's not worth it. But for most of us in high traffic metro areas, it's worth every penny.

It's the first mod I do on the car, every time now.

Florida might not be bad for chips... it's bad here in AZ/CA. Lots people actually even go full xpel and do the entire car, which usually is between $4k and $6k. If I was going to do that, I would do Xpel Stealth.

You can respray the hood for less than $1.8K, and repaint most of the car for under $6K.
If/when necessary.

Or pay upfront to drive in a condom!


a

[funk74]

Originally Posted by afadeev

You can respray the hood for less than $1.8K, and repaint most of the car for under $6K.
If/when necessary.

Or pay upfront to drive in a condom!


a

Not only the hood, but you'd probably have to repaint the front bumper, and other panels to have the paint blended in because the color won't be exact.

Then just think, the day after you drive off with your new $$$ paint job a rock hits your bumper and you have another paint chip. Now won't that just make you feel nice and fuzzy inside?

I'd rather have the paint protection installed from my experience then have to deal with repainting. But to each his own I guess.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by funk74

Not only the hood, but you'd probably have to repaint the front bumper, and other panels to have the paint blended in because the color won't be exact.

To be less hypothetical - I had previously done the above with two of my cars, including an Avus Blau (tricky color) E36M3. On that car, I had front hood and front fenders repainted after ~6 years and 50K miles of chips on TX roads (plastic bumper, surprisingly, didn't need repaint). It cost me $850 at the best paint shop in town (in early 00's), and the paint was blended into the rest of the car at the front fender seam. The job was perfect, and in retrospect, cost me less than what I would have paid to plastic film-wrap it.

Personally, I love the shine and simplicity of care with traditional car paints.

If I need to touch up a few nicks, I can DIY that with OEM touch-up paint kits. I usually do that for the first few nicks that bother me, then let it go.
If the chips start bothering me too much, I can repaint the entire hood down the road. No drama.

Originally Posted by funk74

Then just think, the day after you drive off with your new $$$ paint job a rock hits your bumper and you have another paint chip. Now won't that just make you feel nice and fuzzy inside?

I'd rather have the paint protection installed from my experience then have to deal with repainting. But to each his own I guess.

To each his own!
Enjoy your car - it is amazing with, or without, protection film!

a

[TeKiZeRo]

I got Expel for the full-front and it $1000 USD installed with warranty.

[AndyLu]

Looks like a full front for me is 1400

[TTG]

Xpel, Full hood, bumper, rockers, fenders, lights & etc....

$1000

10 year warranty and etc.

Some like to piss money away thinking that they are getting a "better" install. The whole thing is pre-cut and for some reason, if you dont like the way it looks / installed, take it back and it will be fixed FOC.

I have been using my guy for years and never had any problems with the install or the film.