[SpaceGhost]

Originally Posted by fanofbmwe46

I live in Ohio and will only be driving my new G87 2-3k miles a year max and only in nice weather. I don’t plan to commute in it at all, just weekend drives where I have no problem distancing myself from other cars as much as possible.

With that said, I do want to keep this car long term and keep it in amazing condition. Also, I will be putting 12mm spacers on and possibly mud flaps.

Given my situation, would you recommend any sort of PPF? Definitely can’t spend many thousands on full top of the line wrap but might be able to spend $1k or so on this if you all think it’s for sure needed due to the aero design of this car. What is the absolute highest impact zone?

Thanks!

I would recommend front bumper and headlights. Will be under your budget and the areas that take the most damage. This is what i did on my 7 series.

I would get mud flaps to keep rocks off the quarters.

Enjoy the ride. It will inevitably get some patina. Hell my 5 month old 7 series took a 3 inch chunk of asphalt to the windshield already. Scratched but did not crack the windshield. Something is bound to happen. Learn to accept it and buy some Dr ColorChip ha ha.

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by MineralGreyMetallic

These PPF threads always turn into philosophical debates because, as I mentioned earlier in the thread, the value you get from PPF is largely based on your personality.

Some personality types will never understand the cost/benefit even though we've explained it ad nauseam across the forum.

It sounds corny but "know thyself", and you will know if you need PPF. There is no objectively correct answer.

This 1000%. Don't let anyone posting on the forum talk you into or out of PPF.

I had my '22 BSM m240 ceramic coated, and while it made washing easier, the front bumper, hood, and top 2 inches of the roof looked awful from highway driving in western North Carolina from debris and rock chips.

I had full PPF installed on the M2 (came with full ceramic coating as well), and the peace of mind of having a car that looks flawless is worth the money for me.

[DrewNewM2]

Originally Posted by MineralGreyMetallic

Mud flaps on this car just hurt to look at, in my opinion. It's not an STI.



If you're spending $70k+ on a car and then another $5-10k to PPF I'd say it's unlikely that you're doing it to avoid the cost of minor body work, which as you pointed out is relatively inexpensive.

I think most of us do it because we just don't like looking at the damn rock chips every time we get in the car. We also don't really care for the inconvenience of having to do body work every few years. It's not about the money, it's about my time and patience.

These PPF threads always turn into philosophical debates because, as I mentioned earlier in the thread, the value you get from PPF is largely based on your personality.

Some personality types will never understand the cost/benefit even though we've explained it ad nauseam across the forum.

It sounds corny but "know thyself", and you will know if you need PPF. There is no objectively correct answer.

My Mudflaps look great on my G87(TLG)and my STi…in my opinion. You can barely see them.

I agree, Full body PPF is an emotional decision and if it makes someone feel better then they should do it. I just personally find it a waste beyond some front end protection, especially these guys who do full PPF and then trade the car 2 years later.

[Southtown]

I will never not ppf the front of my cars. Had ppf for 8 years on a previous car. Finally started to yellow so I removed it. Not a single chip under it. 6 months later, lots of chips.

[two_three_two]

im at 15k miles with no PPF and essentially zero paint chips. car has taken more damage from a falling crab apple at a stop sign (totally unavoidable and PPF would not have saved me) than road debris. i'd rather respray the front bumper in a few years. but people should do whatever makes them comfortable with their decision. i am at peace with mine.

[fzr100098]

I typically keep a car for 2-3 years so not worth it - my previous RS3 with 8k miles had zero chips and the buyer scrutinized it carefully

Ceramic coating - yes

[reallymarkedup]

Originally Posted by two_three_two

im at 15k miles with no PPF and essentially zero paint chips. car has taken more damage from a falling crab apple at a stop sign (totally unavoidable and PPF would not have saved me) than road debris. i'd rather respray the front bumper in a few years. but people should do whatever makes them comfortable with their decision. i am at peace with mine.

Conversely I'd rather pull the PPF off in a few years, a thing I can do myself, then send it in for paint. Checkmate non PPF person, I win this round...no, no need for a logical or rational response, I declare myself winner and am running away from the thread so I never have to learn otherwise.

[fzr100098]

No checkmate you - I saved $4k on a zero return investment

Keeping the car 4-5+ years? Sure

Don't follow heavy trucks is 80% of it

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by fzr100098

No checkmate you - I saved $4k on a zero return investment

Keeping the car 4-5+ years? Sure

Don't follow heavy trucks is 80% of it

i agree that the ROI math doesn't work at all- you're never going to get the money out. its really personal preference and length of ownership.

[Jett2835]

I opted for full PPF with self-healing (which I believe is a characteristic found in most modern protection films today) so I can hand wash with less concern or care. Unless it's a deep scratch, the film returns to original state after being out in the sun.

In order of priority for partial PPF:

1. Front Bumper, Hood, and Rear Wheel/Rocker area (where the bulge in front of the rear wheel is flared).
**If you have the carbon roof, I'd say it is a must just from UV protection on the clearcoat and keeping the overall finish mint throughout the years as it isn't an easy re-paint job even if the roof is a low-contact/impact panel to road debris)

2. Side Mirrors, A-Pillars, and full side/skirt rocker panel beneath both doors since they bulge out and you are worried about shoes scuffing when people get in and out of the vehicle

I am always back and forth on PPF for my vehicles, as any minor rock chip treated with Dr. ColorChip touch-up paint you truly wouldn't notice unless you are 2 feet away. With your estimated annual mileage, you most likely wouldn't have to spend the time to touch-up as often as someone who is putting down 10k miles a year.
Would also have to consider removal + re-install of PPF years down the road which contribute to your overall cost.

Going the touch-up route depends on how OCD you are, and the time/effort it takes to apply throughout the life of vehicle ownership. As I get older, I want to spend more time driving the car instead of cosmetic maintenance, so installing PPF & ClearPlex has given me both peace of mind and less elbow grease.

[Ravenseal]

Rocks don't care how many miles you drive a year. Could be 1/4 of a mile, or could be 30,000 miles before you get a rock chip. It's not an if, it's a when.

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Rocks don't care how many miles you drive a year. Could be 1/4 of a mile, or could be 30,000 miles before you get a rock chip. It's not an if, it's a when.

and when that day comes, i will shrug it off and fix it if it bothers me, or wait until i have many that do. its really not worth it unless you PPF the whole car to keep wear (or lack thereof) even, and at 7-9k near me for that, it doesnt make economic sense. i think the "i can handwash it with less care" argument actually might be the best one i have heard so far.

its a mass production, made in ///Mexico car. a great one, but ultimately the math doesnt math IMHO. its up to your personal level of OCD - will one rock chip send you over the edge of sanity? if so, def PPF. lol. my exception would be an "individual" color, as a lot of the resale value of that will be tied up in the condition of the original paint. at that point i would probably full body PPF since i committed to the color.

[fanofbmwe46]

Yea I’m thinking given how low mileage this will be and how I don’t mind distancing myself from other cars/trucks, I’m going to chance without PPF on front. I’ll just put a little in the side/back rocker area as well as install mudflaps.

Where I live it seems bugs cover the front of the car all the time even after short drives which is honestly more annoying than a few small chips that I can touch up and polish over time.

[BroDoze]

LOL @ these threads

[mrcheyl]

Originally Posted by BroDoze

LOL @ these threads

I do find them odd but I just watch from the outside.

[ourlee]

I’m keeping the car a long time, dd it, and parking it in Philly a few times a month. I’m going race pkg and ceramic

[Carefree]

[mrcheyl]

Originally Posted by ourlee

I’m keeping the car a long time, dd it, and parking it in Philly a few times a month. I’m going race pkg and ceramic

Same, plan on treating it like I did my Supra which is sitting around 78k miles in 4 years. Still torn on PPL coverage but I'll figure it out.

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by BroDoze

LOL @ these threads

heh... check out this thread... people expressing VARYING OPINIONS on a SUBJECTIVE MATTER in a car forum... those rubes.

[JABCAT]

Full front bumper, grilles, headlights, full hood, front fenders, side mirrors, a-pillars, and rocker panels. I paid $2,600, and it's well worth it to me. My Z06 sees <1k mi per year, and I have the same ppf coverage on it.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by two_three_two

i agree that the ROI math doesn't work at all- you're never going to get the money out. its really personal preference and length of ownership.

I disagree. I've received more on two different trades with dealers citing specifically due to the ppf & condition of the vehicle. One dealer increased my trade-in by $5k when they saw the vehicle. I paid $1,700 for that ppf. The other trade-in was increased by $3k.

In two other instances, my wife's car had some sort of liquid hit the front if the car that very likely would've damaged the paint. The ppf was heavily damaged, and was replaced for free. My '22 330e was hit by a tire tread. $4k in damage, but no paint damage thanks to the ppf. The ppf had a few scuffs that self-healed.

For those that will just have panels repainted, or chips repaired & repainted, good luck getting a perfect match & having panels repainted for less than ppf on that panel would cost.

We just had the lower door trim on our X3MC replaced under warranty & they had to be painted. Guess what, got the vehicle back the first time with mis-matched paint color - from the BMW dealership. Got it back the 2nd time, better match, but I had to buff the pieces to get the swirls out. You can also see the difference in paint quality between the door & the trim piece, plus they left clearcoat overspray all over the wheels & door sill.

I'd rather pay for ppf than deal with repainting, but that's just me.

[fanofbmwe46]

Anyone install this DIY? How hard is it. Seems like not so bad area to try to do