[skaterpunk]

Just purchased a new 2020 330i xdrive ,picking up tomorrow. Dealer wanted 2k to pre pay maintenance so that it would cover brakes (seemed excessive even for a $50k car). Also wanted 800 for clear coat. Are any of these options worth it ? I know Ziebart does the clear coat for cheap and the brake job with rotors can not cost 2k. Am I being naive ?

[VipinLJ]

Clear coat? As in? Like a ceramic coating or a PPF? For $800, I’m assuming a partial PPF. But I’d definitely advice you to shop around. You’ll get better deals from retailers/tint shops etc.
And $2k for maintenance is expensive. First three years are free. A brake pad replacement won’t cost anywhere near $2k.

Skip both. They’re trying to make a quick buck.

[themnmd]

If you are handy detailing cars the you can achieve great looks doing it your self. That is ceramic coating. There are many brands and kinds. There are professional grade - less forgiving and more technical to apply but last 1-2 years. Easier to apply ones that last a year or so. Spray on and wash off and last a couple of months. Any of these need to start with a super clean and as flawless as you can car. I did mine myself watched many YouTube videos before using one that lasts a year. Best of luck with what you choose. Imho your price quoted is far too high

[skaterpunk]

Thanks guys, any suggestions on which ceramic coat I should try? It needs to be super simple or I will screw it up haha

[Burrcold]

I'll bet they are going to do a simple ceramic spray and upcharge you 1000%. Don't take it.

[del82]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I'll bet they are going to do a simple ceramic spray and upcharge you 1000%. Don't take it.

Like the above, avoid the dealer offer. Massively inflated price and not good quality.

In the UK for a proper detail, paint correction, ceramic coat is around £800-£900. I paid £850, it took 3 full days. Amazing job.

My first ever BMW I fell for the dealer offer. Paid £600. It was the worst detail I've ever seen and wasn't even a proper ceramic coat.

[Bobh59]

Originally Posted by del82

Like the above, avoid the dealer offer. Massively inflated price and not good quality.

In the UK for a proper detail, paint correction, ceramic coat is around £800-£900. I paid £850, it took 3 full days. Amazing job.

My first ever BMW I fell for the dealer offer. Paid £600. It was the worst detail I've ever seen and wasn't even a proper ceramic coat.

Agree 100%. Detailing has been a passion and a hobby of mine for a long time and I've done quite a few coatings. It's a great deal of work to do it properly, and being a new car does not mean it will be any less work, quite the contrary in many cases.

Too bad you don't live a little closer and could leave the car with me for two days because I would do yours for about half of what they quoted you depending on what coating you chose - i.e. - if you leased for 3 years then it probably wouldn't make sense to pay $50 more for a 5 year coating.

As far as which coating for a DIY, well, you have many options. Personally I like Blackfire Pro, Gtehniq CSL and Adams new 5 year UV coating. I've also done two cars with Artdeshine Graphene coating which I like a whole lot, but need to see how they hold up over time to have an informed opinion. I have also used several other products which I would not recommend nor mention here.

[Eric S]

A coating will not be chemically removed, it has to be mechanically removed (polishing and compounding efforts)

We are using Supreme Detail Supply coating. Very easy to use, 2-3 year durability based on maintenance.

While its true you don't want swirls and scratches under the coating, otherwise you would have to remove the coating to remove the swirls, some people arent looking at their cars with a flashlight or looking at the paintwork from a "perfect" standpoint. Coatings provide easy maintenance and an extra layer of protection against environmental damages. That's why we offer a "coat n go" package. Not everyone wants to spend the money on polishing, some just want it easy to wash and clean.

[Aero7000]

Speaking of ceramic coating.

You cannot entertain two bucket wash method in sub zero temperatures, so does anybody have experience with good quality ceramic coat such as CQuartz or System X Diamond for example and automatic carwashes?

Would it protect paint against swirl marks for example?

[Eric S]

touchless car washes are ok, they will get 90% of the grime off. Then you just go in with a waterless wash and MF towel and tidy it up.

Coatings will help a fairly good amount when using touchless washes, but dont think they are going to make it a perfect solution.

[Casone238]

I should be taking delivery for my car some time in September and I'm doing a PCD so I was looking at quotes to get it tinted and ceramic coated while in SC then drive back to NY.
This quote seems like a rip off to me. This is my first time looking into ceramic tinting and coating so I wanted to ask if this is really the market pricing, also if it is too much if ya have any recommendations of where i should go in the tristate area.
Thanks!

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Casone238

I should be taking delivery for my car some time in September and I'm doing a PCD so I was looking at quotes to get it tinted and ceramic coated while in SC then drive back to NY.
This quote seems like a rip off to me. This is my first time looking into ceramic tinting and coating so I wanted to ask if this is really the market pricing, also if it is too much if ya have any recommendations of where i should go in the tristate area.
Thanks!

You could probably shop around and get both cheaper, but it won't be far off.

[Eric S]

Why does everyone search for cheapest price only.

Why not search for best shop you feel comfortable with, take your car there, and enjoy the process?

if you have a 5000 budget, you will get much more.

and 1200 for that is actually pretty cheap considering you are getting the wheels too. We use something better than Ceramic Pro, Modesta, and our tint would be a higher quality film, STEK NEX ....pricing would be around 2000. apples to oranges though.

[Casone238]

Originally Posted by Eric S

Why does everyone search for cheapest price only.

Why not search for best shop you feel comfortable with, take your car there, and enjoy the process?

if you have a 5000 budget, you will get much more.

and 1200 for that is actually pretty cheap considering you are getting the wheels too. We use something better than Ceramic Pro, Modesta, and our tint would be a higher quality film, STEK NEX ....pricing would be around 2000. apples to oranges though.

Thanks for the input but it wasn't about being the cheapest but at the same time I want to make sure I'm not over paying for a service especially since it's a service I'm not familiar with

[klulue]

I just picked up my car and it is in getting a ceramic coating on it right now. I am getting a lifetime coating of ceramic pro for $1700. this is supposed to last lifetime of the car and is transferable.

[themnmd]

Originally Posted by klulue

I just picked up my car and it is in getting a ceramic coating on it right now. I am getting a lifetime coating of ceramic pro for $1700. this is supposed to last lifetime of the car and is transferable.

Ripoff, you can get same results with about $500 of material and your time, approx a day and a half. However if you are not comfortable to DIY then it may be worth it to you. Imho there is no protection that last a lifetime

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by themnmd

Ripoff, you can get same results with about $500 of material and your time, approx a day and a half. However if you are not comfortable to DIY then it may be worth it to you. Imho there is no protection that last a lifetime

People really need to understand how marketing works lmao

[themnmd]

Originally Posted by rjd598

People really need to understand how marketing works lmao

I thought I was going to have a detailer do the work. But did a bunch of research and concluded I could do it myself

[Eric S]

Sure, if you have the time, knowledge, and know how. To most people, its worth spending 1700 to 3000 while they spend their time with friends and family instead, or working, or whatever else they want to do.

You can do the plumbing on your house as well, I mean its just plumbers tape, water piping and some glue right?

[truekumar]

So guys, I’m getting delivery of my M340i XDrive in Portimao Blue with tech pack in September and looking to ceramic coat it.

I’ve been offered a deal from a local detailer. He stated that he will detail the whole car, including windows and wheels plus brake callipers too for around £500. The product that he stated that he uses is Max Protect Pro Elite. Has anyone heard of this product and is it any good?

Also would the coating on the windscreen affect HUD in anyway?