Cost before delivery

[Rh6363]

So here's where I am at. My car is scheduled to be delivered end of this month. Excluding the deal for the car, here are the cost I am looking at now before even seeing my car.

Xpel front nose - $2000 (hood, bumper, mirrors, fenders)
Winter tires (using my stock 18" wheels) - approx $1200
New car prep detail from a private detail shop - $1200/$1500 with ceramic coating.


Sounds about right?

[aerostar]

Originally Posted by Rh6363

So here's where I am at. My car is scheduled to be delivered end of this month. Excluding the deal for the car, here are the cost I am looking at now before even seeing my car.

Xpel front nose - $2000 (hood, bumper, mirrors, fenders)
Winter tires (using my stock 18" wheels) - approx $1200
New car prep detail from a private detail shop - $1200/$1500 with ceramic coating.


Sounds about right?

Are you planning on always using the stock rims and just changing tires?

I would just get a decently cheap set of 18" rims and tires. I spec'd them out to be ~1,600 when I looked on tirerack. Plus mounting so around 1750.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by Rh6363

So here's where I am at. My car is scheduled to be delivered end of this month. Excluding the deal for the car, here are the cost I am looking at now before even seeing my car.

Xpel front nose - $2000 (hood, bumper, mirrors, fenders)
Winter tires (using my stock 18" wheels) - approx $1200
New car prep detail from a private detail shop - $1200/$1500 with ceramic coating.


Sounds about right?

Same here. Minus winter tires. What are those for?

[Rh6363]

Originally Posted by aerostar

Are you planning on always using the stock rims and just changing tires?

I would just get a decently cheap set of 18" rims and tires. I spec'd them out to be ~1,600 when I looked on tirerack. Plus mounting so around 1750.

I've been on the fence on which way to go. I love the 18" might just keep them.

I haven't really looked at full sets on tires rack

[Clark_Kent]

The detailing prices appear to be directionally consistent with what I would expect.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

The bulge in my pants is going directionally not where I want it

[Clark_Kent]

You should consider outlaying some cash for quality car care products as well if you do not already have them. How long the coating will last is largely dependent on how the vehicle is cared for. Specifically, microfiber clothes, wash mitts, brushes for wheels, soap, wheel cleaner, pressure washer, etc.

[Rockshaker]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

You should consider outlaying some cash for quality car care products as well if you do not already have them. How long the coating will last is largely dependent on how the vehicle is cared for. Specifically, microfiber clothes, wash mitts, brushes for wheels, soap, wheel cleaner, pressure washer, etc.

Don't forget to do the rocker panels & wheel arches! You'll regret it if you don't.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

You should consider outlaying some cash for quality car care products as well if you do not already have them. How long the coating will last is largely dependent on how the vehicle is cared for. Specifically, microfiber clothes, wash mitts, brushes for wheels, soap, wheel cleaner, pressure washer, etc.

100%. I had just generic bucket/mitt/wheel brush type supplies for prior vehicles. For my F80, If I added up all of my car care supply costs (I'm not kidding, I actually am quite depressed now that I have roughly summed this up), I’ve got to be above $1700. Yes, I did purchase a pressure washer, foam cannon, and master blaster - but to me those are necessary to keep this thing in showroom condition and can be used for more cars than just the one. From my personal opinion, the car looks damn near the day it rolled off of the production line and responses I get don't always believe the car even has 10k miles on it, much less over 20.

To the quick list above, I’d add/specify:

• A “touch up” product for whichever coating you have applied. I haven’t had to wax my car since new thanks to this stuff.
• Multiple colors / piles of MF towels. Forex., the towel used on the low rockers and bumper bottom surfaces shouldn’t be used on your doors. Same goes for any door jamb towels/underhood or undertrunk towels, don’t use them on exterior non-clearbra’d surfaces. Keep dirt with like dirt, in my words.
• *I use super plush MF’s (VERY Deep pile) for any thing that needs to touch exterior paint. Car is just about 100% swirl free after 2.5 years*
• Two years ago, I would’ve recommended dedicated waffle weave towels for drying, but I’ve had a hard lesson learned in that time. Now I don’t touch the paint to dry it. Bought the master blaster (You could use a good leaf blower, but I’d jury rig some filter to the output stream) and haven’t regretted it for one second. Yes, I’ll have some water runoffs the next day, but after a quick shot of my coating touch up product for lubrication and a wipe with a plush MF; the car looks PERFECT after my wash.
• A minimum of TWO 5-gallon buckets. Always rinse whatever towel/mitt you’re using before re-soaping it up. I actually do two buckets for wheels and loose/surface dirt removal on the lower (clear filmed) areas. Then rinse and another 2 fresh buckets to actually wash the car. I use a third bucket as a stool while working on the wheels.

It takes some time but you’ll get into a groove and the wash becomes second nature after a while. It’s relaxing time for me now.

Originally Posted by Rockshaker

Don't forget to do the rocker panels & wheel arches! You'll regret it if you don't.

Couldn’t agree more on this. I'd also recommend you add the lower 2" of the doors themselves, below the style lines, if the car is intended to be a keeper. And if you're going F80 and intending to modify stance at all (Spacers/custom offsets), definitely do not skip bringing up the film on the rear arches. You'll regret it in less than 12 months - ask me how I know.

Originally Posted by Rh6363

Xpel front nose - $2000 (hood, bumper, mirrors, fenders)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
New car prep detail from a private detail shop - $1200/$1500 with ceramic coating.

Pricing seems to be in line with appropriate market. I'd have the same place do xpel and the prep/correction - why split the work up? Maybe you're just itemizing them, in that case carry on. I’d do the roof as well, but ymmv - I was talked into just doing the leading 5-6" of the roof - less than a year later I wished I had done the whole thing. I got a chip about 2" behind the film. It bothers me every time I wash the car now.

[M4FOREVER]

Wow. Lots of experience. I welcome your knowledge sir. I will be heeding your advice especially about the roof. Thank you.

[Rh6363]

Wow. Yes great insight. The detailer I get my cars done will also be doing the ppf. I have no water access in my garage. So still have 26 days to figure out how to wash my car myself or have to take it to my detailer every so often to get it washed. I live in an apartment building in nyc

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by Rh6363

Wow. Yes great insight. The detailer I get my cars done will also be doing the ppf. I have no water access in my garage. So still have 26 days to figure out how to wash my car myself or have to take it to my detailer every so often to get it washed. I live in an apartment building in nyc

Rinseless washes are perfect for that situation.

[Iceman1]

Originally Posted by Rh6363

So here's where I am at. My car is scheduled to be delivered end of this month. Excluding the deal for the car, here are the cost I am looking at now before even seeing my car.

Xpel front nose - $2000 (hood, bumper, mirrors, fenders)
Winter tires (using my stock 18" wheels) - approx $1200
New car prep detail from a private detail shop - $1200/$1500 with ceramic coating.


Sounds about right?

What exactly is the ceramic coating for above and beyond the Xpel / clear bra? Maybe if there's any links to help educate?

My F80's coming in January and would like to know. Thanks.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by Iceman1

What exactly is the ceramic coating for above and beyond the Xpel / clear bra? Maybe if there's any links to help educate?

My F80's coming in January and would like to know. Thanks.

I'm not trying to be rude but the best link is below. Spend some time searching through threads and you'll get a flavor for what a ceramic coating is and what's available in the market.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/search.php

[Iceman1]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

I'm not trying to be rude but the best link is below. Spend some time searching through threads and you'll get a flavor for what a ceramic coating is and what's available in the market.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/search.php

I know your not trying to be rude, I've seen informative posts from you.. was hoping to just get the cliff notes..

[zzirgrizz]

Originally Posted by Rh6363

Wow. Yes great insight. The detailer I get my cars done will also be doing the ppf. I have no water access in my garage. So still have 26 days to figure out how to wash my car myself or have to take it to my detailer every so often to get it washed. I live in an apartment building in nyc

You should get a rinseless wash and a bunch of microfibers to wash and dry your car.

I use Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine and it's amazing. Leaves no swirls or scratches on the paint.

[Rh6363]

Originally Posted by DonutRanger

You should get a rinseless wash and a bunch of microfibers to wash and dry your car.

I use Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine and it's amazing. Leaves no swirls or scratches on the paint.

Which micro fiber towels are good for the no rinse wash.

[zzirgrizz]

Originally Posted by Rh6363

Which micro fiber towels are good for the no rinse wash.

I like using 600 GSM micro fibers for the washing, and then a waffle weave towel for drying.

You could also use a chenille washmitt for washing.

The Rag Company has a lot of choices and in my opinion the highest quality towels for a good price. Their customer service is also great, always quick to reply and can guide you on the best towel to use.