LONGER - TERM OWNERS, Do You Use Paint Protection Film (e.g. Clear Bra, XPEL)?

[young dude]

Please only answer if you are keeping / plan to keep your M3 for 5+ years, as shorter - term owners (lessees) are less likely to use them. Thus I want an accurate sample from owners who are more vested in their M3.

Please also share any rationales for using Paint Protection Films (or not), and your experiences using them (why choosing certain brands, etc.), if applicable.

I'm asking because I just picked up a 2013 M3 today, and I'm exploring that possibility, as I currently plan to keep the car forever.

[shimmy23]

whats the point of this poll really? do you want to protect your front end and paint is still in immaculate shape (your car is already 3yrs old)?

if yes, then invest in xpel. this is really up to personal preference, regardless of lease or not. if I planned to keep this car forever, i'd clear bra it.

Search up on the technical forum below on the benefits of either xpel, laminx, etc.

[young dude]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

whats the point of this poll really? do you want to protect your front end and paint is still in immaculate shape (your car is already 3yrs old)?

if yes, then invest in xpel. this is really up to you personally.

I've googled and searched quite a bit, but haven't found much conclusive evidence regarding the changes in appearance and owners' satisfaction with paint protection films. That's all..

Also, I'm not asking for advice per se, but only trying to make a more informed decision.

[6ixSpd]

I've a history of not keeping my cars around long, though I hope to prove myself wrong with the M.

Yes, I absolutely 100000000% would invest in paint protection film for any car I buy (granted the paint is not pitted/chipped already). I regretting not doing it to my E39 M5 and in one summer the front end was messed. So with the M3, I didn't even drive it until my PPF appointment came up. Had the whole front bumper, fenders, hood, headlights, and side mirrors wrapped in XPel Ultimate. Then I also wrapped the CF splitters in the same film.

The edges are definitely not even noticeable FYI unless you are extremely close to the paint and looking at the proper angle. The film blends in remarkably well, much better than the told 3M stuff of yesteryear.

The newer generation stuff like XPel does not yellow or fade, at least not when taken care of properly. You are supposed to wax it every two weeks and clean the edges with a Q-Tip dipped in rubbing alcohol.

[jmk24]

get it if you plan on keeping the car.

[alee0729]

I'm 3.5 years into ownership (2013), roughly 5500 miles on her so far. I just had the car fully wrapped with Prestige ClearGuard Nano SR.

Why I chose to wrap:
* Keeping the car forever - pains me to see paint chips
* Tired of the maintenance routine to keep Jerez Black perfect
* People are jerks - if you Google, there are a lot of examples where cars are keyed with clear film. While the film is no longer good, the paint below is protected -- I'd rather re-wrap a panel than repaint.

Why I chose ClearGuard:
* Has self-healing properties - minor "swirls" in the film will self-correct with hot water. There's a few YouTube videos out there showing people taking metal brushes to the film and then correcting it back using the hot water.
* It gets top ratings, up there with the others

End of the day though, installer matters more than film in my opinion. You need a top notch detail job before the film goes on - once the film goes on that's it and imperfections will require removing the wrap to correct.

You want a detailer that will not use precut sheets... each one should be treated as a custom job. They should tuck all the edges whenever possible, and hide all evidence of the wrap where possible.

The only con - expensive. Almost all 7k for mine, wrapping everything.

[pbonsalb]

I try to drive my car and not worry about it. Nothing is forever, certainly not a car. Not trying to preserve it for its next owner. 08 E90 M3, bought 6 years ago with 30k, now has 80k, parked outside, driven in winter and rain, goes through the car wash when I think of it, all the bolt on mods, changed the rod bearings. No bras or special treatments. Might put once a year car polish on it once a year.

[Gn1196]

Xpel wrap on front, and mirrors. 2012 Mineral White, love the wrap, purchased new...Multiple track days, front clip looks mint. Would not go without it for any short or long term owner.

[IB M]

2013 with clear bra. A new car deserves it.

[Gesler]

Considered clear bra on my 335i I had before the m3 and the first rock chip was beyond the 12 inches of the hood it would have typically covered at the time. I think you can always tell the difference when there is a clear bra, no matter how better they are now compared to 10'yrs ago. The color changes esp if the the car is white, it's pretty expensive, and ultimately, even if you plan to keep the car forever, some drunk db may total it prematurely (as happened with my 335i).

I am not inclined to do it on any of my cars. May be if I have a GT3 RS 4.0 but maybe pigs can fly.

[Helmsman]

Bought my 2011 3y ago i.e when it was close to 3y old. Mint cond, went straight to the shop for a clear bra incl complete bonnet and fenders. This was regardless of how long I planned to keep the car.
Possible to tell its there but the main thing for me is the protection. Plan to add side skirts etc as well. So nice, do it.

[roastbeef]

i bought my car used, and it was in very good condition. i knew about clear bras, but just chose not to. if i had bought the car new, i would have done it right away.
now that i've been tracking the car and it has just over 50k miles, there just isn't any point in a bra.

[hotbmwfan]

Bought my M3 when it was two years old and it was in mint shape. Didn't drive it until it had paint protection film applied to bumper, hood, headlights, leading edge of fenders and side view mirrors. Still in mint shape.

[blue-mw]

OP, I am in the middle of making a decision on this and had similar questions so I will share my thoughts. I recently picked up a low mileage ’13 IB ZCP and want to do everything I can to protect and preserve it. A clear bra was the first thing that came to mind.

I only found one place in the state that does clear bra installs (well, might I add) so I gave them a ring and got some quotes. The installer is certified for Xpel, 3M, and Venture Shield and has gained some impressive clientele.

The installer claims Xpel Ultimate (his preferred brand) comes with a 10 year warranty. I was concerned about yellowing and they told me that all films will yellow over time, but that the warranty will cover a replacement (not labor, I don’t think) if it yellows within 10 years. That’s somewhat reassuring given the price point of an install.

It might be relevant to add that while discussing the longevity of clear bras the installer warned me that if a car has touchup paint it will likely come off with the bra if it is ever removed.

I was a bit taken back by the install price, so if you are in the middle of deciding try working with your installer to sweeten the deal. I was offered a small discount and the door edges at no extra cost.

I have yet to decide what I want to cover. I'd like to do the full front clip and rocker panels, but I’m not sure if doing the rear bumper would be worth it ($500+). Maybe just the top lip of the bumper where the trunk meets it? Does anyone have any insight on whether its worth it? The only situation I can imagine is either someone keying the rear or an accident, in which case the bumper is probably screwed anyway. Thoughts?

[kawstik]

Opti-coat is worth every penny. It's a ceramic coating that acts an armor for you paint and clear coat. My local detailer did mine for $700. It also comes with a 7 year warranty.

I'll never use anything else. Stuff is amazing.

[Saandiaago]

Put on Xpel ultimate stealth right after purchase. Have frozen silver and was worried about difficulty of paint correction with the matte paint. I've been very happy with it and washing is a breeze as you don't have to worry about swirls In the wrapped areas. The film is barely noticeable and has held up well.

[STooK]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i bought my car used, and it was in very good condition. i knew about clear bras, but just chose not to. if i had bought the car new, i would have done it right away.
now that i've been tracking the car and it has just over 50k miles, there just isn't any point in a bra.

This is pretty much my case as well. I did put painters tape on the bumper before driving it back from FL to NY after I bought it.

[MachinesWithSouls]

I don't like clear bras. They cloud the paint and are not worth the price.

Just repaint a panel as needed if it's that bad. What could it be, 500 bucks? Better than spending 3-4K wrapping the car in a giant condom.

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by SoManyBlueCars

I don't like clear bras. They cloud the paint and are not worth the price.

This is a fairly broad statement, and certainly not indicative of what I've seen from quality clear film products over the last 3-4 years.

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by kawstik

Opti-coat is worth every penny. It's a ceramic coating that acts an armor for you paint and clear coat. My local detailer did mine for $700. It also comes with a 7 year warranty.

I'll never use anything else. Stuff is amazing.

Opticoat will not protect you from chips, and offers only very minor protection from swirls. All the "coating" products are great for finishing and general clearcoat protection, but know first hand that it won't save you from a chip.

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by alee0729

This is a fairly broad statement, and certainly not indicative of what I've seen from quality clear film products over the last 3-4 years.

It's broad because I don't like any of them

They have gotten way better for sure, but nothing looks better than naked paint.