[Lightngsvt]

I know pricing will vary by area, but what did/would you pay for a partial (1/2 hood and fenders, rockers, behind rear wheels) PPF on an M3?

[ABQ_M3]

In Abq, NM I was quoted $5k for full PPF, $3000 for partial. I am going ceramic instead. I was quoted $2k for lifetime ceramic coating.

[iviegatron]

Originally Posted by Lightngsvt

I know pricing will vary by area, but what did/would you pay for a partial (1/2 hood and fenders, rockers, behind rear wheels) PPF on an M3?

Can't tell you how much it cost for a partial PPF, but I paid $6200 for a full XPEL Ultimate Plus PPF including ceramic coating. It keeps me worry free of putting any scratches on the car either by me or by others.

If you don't end up going with full PPF I would recommend at least getting the full hood done. I have had rock chips make it past the half way point on my other cars. Plus there won't be a seam.

[keiridin]

Does going with stealth drive cost up? If so, what have some others paid for stealth PPF?

[Mowe]

Entire front, mirrors, side skirts = $1500

[ABQ_M3]

Originally Posted by Lightngsvt

I know pricing will vary by area, but what did/would you pay for a partial (1/2 hood and fenders, rockers, behind rear wheels) PPF on an M3?

Just noticed your username. I had a 2001 Ford Lightning! One of the ones that got away as I had to pay for college lol. What a truck.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Lightngsvt

I know pricing will vary by area, but what did/would you pay for a partial (1/2 hood and fenders, rockers, behind rear wheels) PPF on an M3?

I would pay money to not have partial hood. Rather have rock chips than a line on the hood. Get full hood with tucked edges or don't bother.

[Lightngsvt]

Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by keiridin

Does going with stealth drive cost up? If so, what have some others paid for stealth PPF?

I'd be curious to know too.

Originally Posted by Mowe

Entire front, mirrors, side skirts = $1500

That sounds like a great deal!

Originally Posted by ABQ_M3

Just noticed your username. I had a 2001 Ford Lightning! One of the ones that got away as I had to pay for college lol. What a truck.

LOL, not many people on a BMW forum would catch that! I've had a 99 and a 2002 Gen2, I still have the Original 93 Gen 1 I bought when I was 20! It's in the process of getting a 396" stroker engine, aftermarket EFI, and a Vortech supercharger.

Originally Posted by akkando

I would pay money to not have partial hood. Rather have rock chips than a line on the hood. Get full hood with tucked edges or don't bother.

Have to respectfully disagree. I have partial front, headlights, rocker, and lower half of 1/4 panel, rear fascia behind wheels on my Boxster and it's done a great job. Plus from most angles you don't notice the seam, the PPF in general is almost invisible. . I'll agree that it'd look better without the line, but it's not obtrusive, and I wonder how it'd look with partial fenders and a full hood?

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by ABQ_M3

In Abq, NM I was quoted $5k for full PPF, $3000 for partial. I am going ceramic instead. I was quoted $2k for lifetime ceramic coating.

Lifetime? 😂😂What brand did they tell you will last a lifetime?

[ElHeffe]

Originally Posted by keiridin

Does going with stealth drive cost up? If so, what have some others paid for stealth PPF?

I got a Black Friday Special for full XPel stealth plus Stratus tint at $5750 out the door. This is about 15% off normal.

[keiridin]

Originally Posted by ElHeffe

I got a Black Friday Special for full XPel stealth plus Stratus tint at $5750 out the door. This is about 15% off normal.

Did you also do ceramic on top of the stealth PPF? Does PPF even need ceramic? Open to hear thoughts. Thanks.

[Lightngsvt]

Originally Posted by keiridin

Did you also do ceramic on top of the stealth PPF? Does PPF even need ceramic? Open to hear thoughts. Thanks.

I'm no expert, I've never ceramic'ed the PPF on my Boxster and it's been just fine. To be fair that car only sees 3-4k miles a year though.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by keiridin

Did you also do ceramic on top of the stealth PPF? Does PPF even need ceramic? Open to hear thoughts. Thanks.

Yes. Ceramic over it

[ElHeffe]

Originally Posted by keiridin

Did you also do ceramic on top of the stealth PPF? Does PPF even need ceramic? Open to hear thoughts. Thanks.

List price stealth was $500 more but on sale it was about $200. Ceramic cuts down on the need for car washes and when you do wash, it makes the washes so faster/easier.

Put another way, PPF is primarily about paint projection (rocks, chips, etc) where as ceramic is more about easing upkeep. PPF adds a self-healing aspect to it where I think ceramic alone does not.

Materials for ceramic are fairly cheap ($175?) and with some practice you could do it yourself. PPF is best left to the experts.

[Trojan4evr]

I did one-step paint correction, full front, mirrors, roof, rear high impact areas, rocker panels, and full ceramic coating for 5k.

[keiridin]

Originally Posted by ElHeffe

List price stealth was $500 more but on sale it was about $200. Ceramic cuts down on the need for car washes and when you do wash, it makes the washes so faster/easier.

Put another way, PPF is primarily about paint projection (rocks, chips, etc) where as ceramic is more about easing upkeep. PPF adds a self-healing aspect to it where I think ceramic alone does not.

Materials for ceramic are fairly cheap ($175?) and with some practice you could do it yourself. PPF is best left to the experts.

Thanks for the explanation, it helps. I plan on doing stealth on my white G82. I'll have them ceramic as well. I also heard it's best if the cut it rather than using a plotter.

[ElHeffe]

Originally Posted by keiridin

Thanks for the explanation, it helps. I plan on doing stealth on my white G82. I'll have them ceramic as well. I also heard it's best if the cut it rather than using a plotter.

It depends on the shop and to some degree what software they have. The place I'm having it done, they can add x% extra around the seams and then they remove any internal cutouts (gas cap, door handles). This gives them a slightly bigger sheet to work with and then they can cut the holes as needed. To me, this seems like a good comprise as far as cost/speed/materials. Bulking is probably slightly better but it's going to be a bunch more hours.

Ask a lot of questions. If you don't feel comfortable, shop somewhere else. Originally, I debated doing a bulk panel on the rear fender that had the gas cap. (This other shop was going with the stock template cutouts.) I talked to another shop who offered to remove the stock panel cutouts and do them by hand, which is what I went with. Also, discuss what you want matte and what you want gloss. I wouldn't assume anything.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by ABQ_M3

In Abq, NM I was quoted $5k for full PPF, $3000 for partial. I am going ceramic instead. I was quoted $2k for lifetime ceramic coating.

Interesting I was gonna wash my car.

I decided to PPF instead of washing it.

[ABQ_M3]

Originally Posted by 2011ninja

Interesting I was gonna wash my car.

I decided to PPF instead of washing it.

Funny. $5k seemed like a steep price for PPF but it might be worth it.

[ABQ_M3]

Originally Posted by SickGTR

Lifetime? 😂😂What brand did they tell you will last a lifetime?

Oh I'm with you. I don't know how they guarantee lifetime. Im leaning towards just doing the PPF and getting it over with.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by ABQ_M3

Funny. $5k seemed like a steep price for PPF but it might be worth it.

$5k is in line for PPF and it is expensive in my opinion.

It seems like you picked ceramic coating as an alternative to PPF.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by ABQ_M3

Oh I'm with you. I don't know how they guarantee lifetime. Im leaning towards just doing the PPF and getting it over with.

Yeah. Lifetime is BS. If you can swing the money, there is no comparison between the 2. PPF is light years better. One of the best mods if you like you car always looking good and protecting the paint