Should I get "Paint Protection"?

[Raine]

Hi, I'm due to pick up my 2011 BMW Coupe on Monday.

Should I bother getting the extra add-ons like "Paint Protection, "Interior Protection", "Stoneguard Protection Film", "Rust protection module thing"?

Sorry for the vague descriptions, I don't have the brochures with me right now. =(

[Itanius]

In my experience, those dealer addons are rarely worth the money spent. Save your cash for something worthwhile.

[eleven11]

I'll respond with a simple, non-vague answer. No.

[type135i]

Yep, I'd skip those add ons but there are some good "Wheel and Tire" plans out there. Just check carefully!

[REVNU]

NO!

Use what you would have spent on that and have a professional detailer polish and seal your car with a good wax/sealant. Then just maintain the wax/sealant every few months. That would be much better money spent.

[shodanusmc]

No, they add nothing. Save your money. ADP...additional dealer profit. Find a good detailer

[BMW86]

I have the paint protection on my car and it did come in handy for me as I had an ugly stain on the hood of my car, probably the size of a coin, which could not be removed.

BMW ended up respraying the entire hood/bonnet at their own expense even though they outsource the product to a third party and charge a hefty premium for being the middle-man. The third party denied any responsibility and BMW had to pay up because I was clearly in the right.

However, before you sign up for the paint protection, I suggest you find out exactly what the terms and conditions of the warranty are. In my case I had to fight to get my warranty work approved (as I'm sure is the case in most warranty claims) but in the end I was a satisfied customer.

[luv135i]

Paint protectiong is bascially an overpriced polish job to make the dealer profit. Not worth it and pointless. It isnt any kind of insurance or anything that would pay out.

[ulrichd]

I am amazed that dealers still try to push these things off on customers these days. Seriously, rust protection?

[marvinp]

I would skip their paint protection (which is just some dude that will detail your car) and instead get something like a 3M clear bra (~$500). I didn't get one and I regret it because I have quite a few chips on my Montego Blue. The paint is very fragile.

[Battleship Potemkin]

Don't look to me for a response. If I say, "No, don't get the paint protection," within 30 days some bozo will key your car. Then you'll want to find somebody to blame. You can't hope to find the punk that keyed your car so you'll do some sleuthing, figure out where I live and come over with the intention of kicking my a**. And, quite frankly, I don't need any more people looking to kick my a**. Sean Penn & Russell Crowe are enough, thank you very much. Have a nice day.

[spellbmw]

Originally Posted by marvinp

I would skip their paint protection (which is just some dude that will detail your car) and instead get something like a 3M clear bra (~$500). I didn't get one and I regret it because I have quite a few chips on my Montego Blue. The paint is very fragile.

+1 -- ask your dealer who does the clear bra jobs for them...and go to them directly.

[DMan11389]

Agreed with the above, skip it and just put a quality wax/sealant on yourself and get some nice carpet sealant. I worked at a professional detail shop for a few years and we applied these for a few dealers. It's just a glorified wax. There's nothing out there that's permanent. Plus, as an even bigger issue, I've seen many jobs where some hack detailer applies the sealant with a rotary polisher and ends up swirling the hell out of your brand new car.

[ianc]

3M's Scotchgard Clear bra is the way to go, and do it quick before you pick up lots of rock chips, because yes, the paint is fragile.

BMW does sell two kits for the 1 that will protect the hood and front bumper. They are pretty good, but a little overpriced and don't cover everything they should.

Check out clearmask.com and invisiblemask.com for examples of some kits made for the 1'er. Warning - I have not tried these kits myself, so can't vouch for their quality, but they are made out of the same stuff that BMW uses, and have warranties, give better coverage than BMW's kits.

Just do it soon...

ianc

[Spartikus]

I would pass. This is how these dealerships make their money. By pushing the doodads and add-ons. That sound you hear is the cash register.

[Barry45RPM]

Paint doesn't need any "protection" other than waxing a couple of times a year.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Barry45RPM

Paint doesn't need any "protection" other than waxing a couple of times a year.

It really depends on the car and the color. Wax will not protect from stone chips at all. On a black car that you are purchasing (not leasing), it could be beneficial to put on a clear bra but find a shop that does custom work, not the "kits" that have the pre-cut pieces. Those general don't look too hot.

I would also skip any type of tire and wheel package. Most places charge $1,000+ for the plan but you really need to think about how many flats you actually get because paying $1,000 for piece of mind when you get one flat or bent wheel per decade is foolish.

[Ash83]

I would pass on the paint protection.. I recommend to research a good tire-wheel protection.