[AZG87]

I'd just add ppf and ceramic doesn't have to be either or. Can be both especially if not doing full ppf. Example, ppf full front, rockers and hood but then ceramic entire car. In addition to Xpel I'd also recommend Kavaca same people that make Ceramic Pro, just as another option to consider.

[wjones14]

I just got my 2025 M2 a couple weeks ago. I had a 2021 M2 before this one, and I did put XPEL Ultimate PPF on the front bumper of the F87. The installer did an immaculate job. It was still just about perfect when I sold the car 3+ years later. No yellowing or peeling. It did have a couple slight nicks in it which would have been paint chips otherwise, so it did its job.

I planned on PPF for the front bumper of this one too. This time, the installer said he tried a couple G87 front bumpers and it's a completely different beast when it comes to the front bumper PPF.

The XPEL software runs on the cutting machine and cuts the material. For the F87, it was mainly one piece, with small cutouts for the parking sensors and tow hook. For the G87, it's about a half dozen pieces. He showed me the diagram. The installation involves putting on the multiple pieces so they join together and blend as if it was one piece.

As consumers, we just pay the installer, and he handles the difficulty. In this case, you have to get an expert installer. A botched job is worse than no PPF at all, IMO.

Whether you need it or not is up to the individual. I had a Camaro 1LE for 3 years that I took to 3 track days, but only put 6800 miles on it in that time. Minimal highway driving. No front bumper PPF and no chips over 3 years. But I bought a 2015 M235i and did the PCD from SC, and got about half a dozen chips on the 800-mile ride home to New England, all highway. If you're on the highway all the time, then you're more likely to get paint chips.

Edit: Picture attached of the XPEL front bumper kit. Compare to the actual bumper to see how it is applied in multiple pieces.

[c1pher]

Question for the PPFers. If you PPF the entire car, is it really worth it to put ceramic on that too? The film is very hydrophobic and removes light scratches on its own. Or does the ceramic add more gloss?

[iifymbro]

Originally Posted by c1pher

Question for the PPFers. If you PPF the entire car, is it really worth it to put ceramic on that too? The film is very hydrophobic and removes light scratches on its own. Or does the ceramic add more gloss?

I think PPF can stain so you ceramic over it to keep stuff off of it

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by DDG61EW

Timely as i just picked up my 25 on Thursday and have an appointment to get the "track package" this morning. Full front, mirrors and rockers. I opted not to have the A-pillars done because i don't want a visible line (and they are pretty thin so rolling the dice). 50 and this will be my first PPF venture, will polish and ceramic coat myself as i have 20 years experience in those areas.

1-Track Package
2-Ceramic Pro is what i went this.
3-Located in Dallas
2- As stated above I've opted for both (PPF 2800.00).

If you're in Dallas I highly recommend Xpel Dallas. Jovani is the shop manager

[IanH]

Order of operations is ppf then ceramic, so if you are doing ceramic anyway might as well have it on the ppf too

[DDG61EW]

Originally Posted by c1pher

Question for the PPFers. If you PPF the entire car, is it really worth it to put ceramic on that too? The film is very hydrophobic and removes light scratches on its own. Or does the ceramic add more gloss?

I've been told that the ceramic coating adds UV protection in addition to whatever is included in the PPF. This maybe old advice and the PPF today may have sufficient UV protection, that i don't know.

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by BroDoze

This thread has gone full retard.

(I’m doing track pack)

[BroDoze]

Some ghetto dark 15% tint + eyebrow + smoked taillights + full PPF.

Love it all.

[shehatezme]

Did my PPF, whole front end, mirrors, carbon roof, sideskirts, and rear quarter for $2,300. Worth it in my opinion.

[buckybadger]

I am not doing PPF on my new 2025 M3C. I do have it on my M2C and it is starting to look like it would need to be taken off in 2 years or so (I got it PPF’d in 2019). At that point I will not put new PPF and just enjoy the car. Why spend another $2K when the car is already 8 years old.

The biggest question you have to ask yourself is what will you do after 7-10 years when the PPF is all run down (XPEL ultimate plus). Will you put a new PPF and spend another $2K-$3K? If no, then why put it in the first place. The next thing you have to remind yourself is if you keep the car for less than 5 years then you are doing the protection primary for the next owner.

There are many PPF fearmongers out there, so don’t just get brain washed and try to do some critical thinking.

I’d say just enjoy the car and keep distance while driving. Just use common sense and hope for the best.

Even with PPF you are still going to get stone chips.

Now if you have an Aston Martin or a McLaren then go for the protection.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by buckybadger

Now if you have an Aston Martin or a McLaren then go for the protection.

What's the difference? Those are still just cars.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by iifymbro

I think PPF can stain so you ceramic over it to keep stuff off of it

I haven’t seen this yet but do use detailer and a light sealant.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by wjones14

I just got my 2025 M2 a couple weeks ago. I had a 2021 M2 before this one, and I did put XPEL Ultimate PPF on the front bumper of the F87. The installer did an immaculate job. It was still just about perfect when I sold the car 3+ years later. No yellowing or peeling. It did have a couple slight nicks in it which would have been paint chips otherwise, so it did its job.

I planned on PPF for the front bumper of this one too. This time, the installer said he tried a couple G87 front bumpers and it's a completely different beast when it comes to the front bumper PPF.

The XPEL software runs on the cutting machine and cuts the material. For the F87, it was mainly one piece, with small cutouts for the parking sensors and tow hook. For the G87, it's about a half dozen pieces. He showed me the diagram. The installation involves putting on the multiple pieces so they join together and blend as if it was one piece.

As consumers, we just pay the installer, and he handles the difficulty. In this case, you have to get an expert installer. A botched job is worse than no PPF at all, IMO.

Whether you need it or not is up to the individual. I had a Camaro 1LE for 3 years that I took to 3 track days, but only put 6800 miles on it in that time. Minimal highway driving. No front bumper PPF and no chips over 3 years. But I bought a 2015 M235i and did the PCD from SC, and got about half a dozen chips on the 800-mile ride home to New England, all highway. If you're on the highway all the time, then you're more likely to get paint chips.

Edit: Picture attached of the XPEL front bumper kit. Compare to the actual bumper to see how it is applied in multiple pieces.

Yeah they had to reapply small sections. A lot of angles. Kind of surprised there is a BMW dealer in New London but not Norwich.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

What's the difference? Those are still just cars.

In their mind, more worthy vehicles of PPF. To some extent that’s true. I wouldn’t care about putting PPF on a used Corolla. However, with cars becoming more expensive, and that I plan to keep the car for a long time, I’d rather put the PPF on. I also think you could maybe get away with not doing PPF on gloss paints. It’s when you have metallic paints where the paint pattern just cannot be replicated from the factory. Unless you can find some sort of artist to make it all blend perfectly. I haven’t ever seen a respray of a bumper or other section that I couldn’t tell was resprayed.

[MineralGreyMetallic]

Originally Posted by buckybadger

The biggest question you have to ask yourself is what will you do after 7-10 years when the PPF is all run down. Will you put a new PPF and spend another $2K-$3K? If no, then why put it in the first place. The next thing you have to remind yourself is if you keep the car for less than 5 years then you are doing the protection primary for the next owner.

My previous car had zero issues with PPF after 7 years. Also, the film manufacturer I used provides a lifetime warranty for lifting and yellowing which can be honored at any authorized installer.

Even if I trade the car after 5 years the PPF is helping the car stay free of blemishes during that 5 year period. That's worth a lot to some people.

[wjones14]

My 2025 is at the detailer's shop this week for XPEL Fusion ceramic coating. Like I posted previously in this thread, he showed me the complexity of doing the front bumper with PPF. He'd already done two G87s and said it was a complete PITA and he'd rather not do them anymore.

I know there are other installers I could go to, but I've decided not to do the front bumper this time. I don't do a lot of highway miles. (If I did, I would get the front bumper PPF.) When I go to my annual track day each year, I'll use Track Armour on the nose.

I have decided to go with PPF on the rocker panels. Each side is one long piece and the kit includes a small piece behind the rear wheels. See attached image. He's also going to put a piece of PPF on the gloss black front lip for $85.

The whole job with PPF and ceramic coating is about $1600.

[ednir98]

Originally Posted by wjones14

he showed me the complexity of doing the front bumper with PPF. He'd already done two G87s and said it was a complete PITA and he'd rather not do them anymore.

Did he mention what exactly was painful about it? Would he use that excuse if it were a Lambo, Lotus, Ferrari, or even a C8? Surely those have to be more difficult to wrap with all their strange and sharp geometry. From now on just bring them Cybertrucks to wrap.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

What's the difference? Those are still just cars.

Yeah I would skip them too. They are just cars.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by ednir98

Did he mention what exactly was painful about it? Would he use that excuse if it were a Lambo, Lotus, Ferrari, or even a C8? Surely those have to be more difficult to wrap with all their strange and sharp geometry. From now on just bring them Cybertrucks to wrap.

Yes, I explained why the G87 is more complex than most front bumpers earlier in this thread. I showed a picture of the kit once it is cut. It's not one piece, but rather a bunch of separate pieces that will blend together.

Another installer in CT will do them, but forum members who had theirs installed by that installer told me they had to return later to fix some areas that lifted or bubbled. He fixed them by doing some relief cuts. Everyone is extremely happy with the job, but did warn me that it took a few trips back until they were happy with it.

[ednir98]

wjones14 sorry, didn't see your earlier post. The G87 bumper is one I feel would be easier to remove and do a bulk ppf job on rather than going with precut film but I don't know for sure. If I end up giving it a go when mine gets here I'll try both methods and update you guys on how it went.

[MineralGreyMetallic]

Originally Posted by wjones14

Yes, I explained why the G87 is more complex than most front bumpers earlier in this thread. I showed a picture of the kit once it is cut. It's not one piece, but rather a bunch of separate pieces that will blend together.

Another installer in CT will do them, but forum members who had theirs installed by that installer told me they had to return later to fix some areas that lifted or bubbled. He fixed them by doing some relief cuts. Everyone is extremely happy with the job, but did warn me that it took a few trips back until they were happy with it.

This is also characteristic of the shop that PPF’d my entire car. Some spots in front and rear lifted. They warned me about it and fixed it quickly in a follow up. They really did a remarkable job overall so I wouldn’t judge the shop on that metric alone.