[BMW lifer]

I've been following with great interest the options our US cousins use for paint protection - especially ceramic and vinyl wrap. In the past, I've just used the standard BMW offering, so have no experience of these options. I am seriously thinking of upgrading when my car's delivered next month and would love to hear from you.

A question to other UK G05 owners: what option did you choose and are you happy with it? Which supplier did you use and would you recommend them?

Several folk advise telling the supplying dealer to NOT prepare the bodywork, as they often cause damage due to lack of time/training. However, my dealer says he has to do this before he can supply the car - so it seems I have no choice.

Has anyone faced this problem and found a way to overcome? I even asked my dealer if I could "upgrade" their normal prep (ie allow for more time and more care) and was told "not needed."

Finally, any advice on the best way to protect the wheels from brake dust damage?

Thanks all

[speuk]

Some UK dealers will allow your own detailer to do paint work prep and protection in the dealer prep bay, otherwise just drive it straight around to third party detailer to do paint correction and protection. Whilst I like my cars to look good I'm not that fussy, last three cars I've done myself. The G05 had GardX protection by the dealer free of charge. I was nervous that it would be done badly and I would be polishing it off. Actually pleased with the outcome. I've found a few minor areas I've had to correct but overall a nice smooth finish. Just washed today and rinsed with autoglym polar seal and looks good. I usually just give it a spray with a quick detailer after I have dried but the polar seal seems to leave a nice gloss. I do a fairly high mileage so it doesn't stay clean for long.

[mge92]

Just tell them to not touch the car and pick it up filthy so that no swirls or damage can be done. Just take it to your nearest detailer.

I picked up mine at North Oxford and drove it straight to NVN London. Great dealership and NVN did amazing job and corrected the paint and proceeded to wrap it in stealth film.

[BMW lifer]

Originally Posted by mge92

Just tell them to not touch the car and pick it up filthy so that no swirls or damage can be done. Just take it to your nearest detailer.

I picked up mine at North Oxford and drove it straight to NVN London. Great dealership and NVN did amazing job and corrected the paint and proceeded to wrap it in stealth film.

Like I said, my dealer (BMW Park Lane) say they will not deliver until the car has been prepped and they've got my sign-off that there are no scratches, etc etc. As they're owned by BMW, they may have different rules. Frustrating.

[mge92]

Just tell them that you do not want the car prepped and they can inspect the paint but they cannot clean it or wash it.

[rdrcontact]

Thanks for bringing this topic. I will be picking my X5 next month and I am considering this option.

What are the forum members' opinion regarding this procedure? Is it worth it?

My dealer can take the car to a detailing shop for this and I was being asked how many layers of the coating I want. Obviously the more layers the more sturdy and with better longevity will be the paint protection. What would you recommend, shall I do it?

[gofast182]

Dealers are geared more toward volume which means they don't always have the time or knowledge to go beyond the basics. I know there are some exceptions to this rule but I'd tend toward a trusted third party.

rdrcontact, do you know what coating they'd be applying and if the prep. will all be done properly? I just put a coating on our new G05 and it took almost a full day when you account for all the prep. (that's not to say professionals won't be faster).

[rdrcontact]

Originally Posted by gofast182

Dealers are geared more toward volume which means they don't always have the time or knowledge to go beyond the basics. I know there are some exceptions to this rule but I'd tend toward a trusted third party.

rdrcontact, do you know what coating they'd be applying and if the prep. will all be done properly? I just put a coating on our new G05 and it took almost a full day when you account for all the prep. (that's not to say professionals won't be faster).

No idea about the coating. The dealer can take the car to car detailing shop which specialised for this activity.

I am undecided whether I should pur protective clear stickers on the bumpers and then ceracoat or just apply several layers of ceramic coating.

[rdrcontact]

Originally Posted by gofast182

Dealers are geared more toward volume which means they don't always have the time or knowledge to go beyond the basics. I know there are some exceptions to this rule but I'd tend toward a trusted third party.

rdrcontact, do you know what coating they'd be applying and if the prep. will all be done properly? I just put a coating on our new G05 and it took almost a full day when you account for all the prep. (that's not to say professionals won't be faster).

Opticoat Pro is the coating.

[zacklee]

Originally Posted by mge92

Just tell them that you do not want the car prepped and they can inspect the paint but they cannot clean it or wash it.

Can I know how much you pay for that?

[JustChris]

I went with ceramic coating all paint and wheels on my last M3 and this X3. Delighted with results it's so easy to keep clean.

I found a fantastic detailer in the NW. intimate detailing, pics courtesy of him. I see you're London/SE but I can't recommend Kev enough.

Colours here are Azurite Black and Sophistico Grey.

[zacklee]

Originally Posted by JustChris

I went with ceramic coating all paint and wheels on my last M3 and this X3. Delighted with results it's so easy to keep clean.

I found a fantastic detailer in the NW. intimate detailing, pics courtesy of him. I see you're London/SE but I can't recommend Kev enough.

Colours here are Azurite Black and Sophistico Grey.

Looks fantastic!

I may travel to NW to get it done and have a short holiday.

[imyb]

That looks sweet, how long did it take for the ceramic coating?

I have a local detailer who is XPEL certified, I spoke to them about PPF and Ceramic Coating. The PPF makes it expensive but I am considering just Ceramic Coating only, full body and wheels.

If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay, I am also from the NW. Share via PM if you like.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by JustChris

I went with ceramic coating all paint and wheels on my last M3 and this X3. Delighted with results it's so easy to keep clean.

I found a fantastic detailer in the NW. intimate detailing, pics courtesy of him. I see you're London/SE but I can't recommend Kev enough.

Colours here are Azurite Black and Sophistico Grey.

[flyfs6]

Originally Posted by imyb

That looks sweet, how long did it take for the ceramic coating?

I have a local detailer who is XPEL certified, I spoke to them about PPF and Ceramic Coating. The PPF makes it expensive but I am considering just Ceramic Coating only, full body and wheels.

If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay, I am also from the NW. Share via PM if you like.

Cheers.

Are you referring to Offset detailing? I would be very interested in getting mine detailed from them. I recommend Gleammachine, but he is booked until the end of October.

From past experience on the old E70, rear extended wheel arches / the bottom of the rear door would get peppered with stone chips. This is the area I would highly recommend PPF to.

Perhaps we should look at group buy on the detail and ppf to that area?

Later LCI E70 came factory fitted with PPF to this area. I had BMW goodwill repair it on my pre LCI as a result & if my memory serves me right, they applied PPF to it post repair.

P.S. I would do the detail myself over the course of 2-3 days but I have been out of it for so long it will be uphill, and I would rather have it done by a professional, since I'm thinking of getting a certified coating such as Gyeon MOHS+ or Duraflex.

[imyb]

I am talking about Carttitude in Manchester, I have been to see them. They know what they are doing, they had a Ferrari and Rolls in which they were applying PPF and Ceramic Coating too.

Funnily enough, someone had dropped off a G05 30D for PPF and Ceramic coating, it was sat outside waiting its turn.

Still undecided....

Originally Posted by flyfs6

Are you referring to Offset detailing? I would be very interested in getting mine detailed from them. I recommend Gleammachine, but he is booked until the end of October.

From past experience on the old E70, rear extended wheel arches / the bottom of the rear door would get peppered with stone chips. This is the area I would highly recommend PPF to.

Perhaps we should look at group buy on the detail and ppf to that area?

Later LCI E70 came factory fitted with PPF to this area. I had BMW goodwill repair it on my pre LCI as a result & if my memory serves me right, they applied PPF to it post repair.

P.S. I would do the detail myself over the course of 2-3 days but I have been out of it for so long it will be uphill, and I would rather have it done by a professional, since I'm thinking of getting a certified coating such as Gyeon MOHS+ or Duraflex.

[buze]

I've decided to forego to full protection on mine. I've done quite alright with the previous car in 7 years, and I only intend to keep this one 3 years anyway.

I've been using the Maguire "hybrid" ceramic spray/wax on the Z3 (and on the X5 now) and it's pretty fantastic; it keeps the car clean, has great beading, and last a while

[randybobandy]

Originally Posted by buze

I've decided to forego to full protection on mine. I've done quite alright with the previous car in 7 years, and I only intend to keep this one 3 years anyway.

I've been using the Maguire "hybrid" ceramic spray/wax on the Z3 (and on the X5 now) and it's pretty fantastic; it keeps the car clean, has great beading, and last a while

If you want to be wowed, check out BEAD MAKER PAINT PROTECTANT from P&S Detailing. It’s been great!