My M3 is coming soon. Thoughts on clear bra?

jkovac1 · 09-26-2021, 03:19 PM

Hi all! I'm expecting my M3 Comp xDrive to come soon. I was wondering what you guys thought about getting a clear bra as soon as i get it. Is it truly helpful in protecting the paint?

Thanks in advance

ember.m4 · 09-26-2021, 04:17 PM

Lots of threads on this already so be sure to do a search for more info.

tldr; yes it really does work. Many people get a frontal ppf, which is probably the most practical. Some folks that want pristine get whole car. Some folks don't care to get any. It's not really going to help the residual of your car, so look at it as an expense not an investment. Do it only if seeing scratches on your car will make you sad, and is worth the few thousand to you.

evilalien · 09-26-2021, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkovac1

Hi all! I'm expecting my M3 Comp xDrive to come soon. I was wondering what you guys thought about getting a clear bra as soon as i get it. Is it truly helpful in protecting the paint?

Thanks in advance

I'm planning for full Xpel ultimate + ceramic, ideally before I drive it off the lot. I don't want it to see any bad weather before it gets that additional protection.

Limegrntaln · 09-26-2021, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilalien

I'm planning for full Xpel ultimate + ceramic, ideally before I drive it off the lot. I don't want it to see any bad weather before it gets that additional protection.

Of course this is the best way to do it. Im trying to do the same, by trying to setup an appointment to get it all done, but not knowing how long my car is going to have a stop sale, and most PPF places, around me, having a 3-5 week waiting list, its not going to be easy to get it done.

KiloCo · 09-26-2021, 06:15 PM

jkovac1, When my M4 Comp arrives and after the Stop Sale delays I will be going from the dealership to the ..detail shop for XPEL PPF an Ceramic.

KnightedBMW · 09-26-2021, 06:28 PM

Short answer: if you lease, not worth it (unless you’re anal).

M0J0 · 09-26-2021, 06:30 PM

I have a clear bra on my Audi and I don't like it. You can clearly see where the xpel ends. It collects dirt at the edges. I would not do it again. If I did it would be the full hood and quarter panels. I plan to skip putting on any ppf.

BGM-M3COMP · 09-26-2021, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightedBMW

Short answer: if you lease, not worth it (unless you’re anal).

After finding out the price, i realized it wouldn't make sense to PPF a leased car lol.

But i will put tints on it for sure!

Limegrntaln · 09-26-2021, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0J0

I have a clear bra on my Audi and I don't like it. You can clearly see where the xpel ends. It collects dirt at the edges. I would not do it again. If I did it would be the full hood and quarter panels. I plan to skip putting on any ppf.

Its 100% dependent on how good the install is. Most shops use precuts. If your shop doesnt know enough to add an inch to the edges, so they can roll and tuck, its probably going to peel.

The places Ive gotten mine done, have been really good. I just gave my son one of my commuters, and it has over 100K on it, in 4 years, and it still looks new. No edges peeling, or pulling up. and there is no dirt if all of the edges are rolled under.

Flying05 · 09-26-2021, 06:45 PM

Do it while new before you get chips and it's too late. The expense is minimal compared to what you paid. Just do the front, full hood, mirrors, and most likely in front of the rear wheels.

BGM-M3COMP · 09-26-2021, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

Its 100% dependent on how good the install is. Most shops use precuts. If your shop doesnt know enough to add an inch to the edges, so they can roll and tuck, its probably going to peel.

The places Ive gotten mine done, have been really good. I just gave my son one of my commuters, and it has over 100K on it, in 4 years, and it still looks new. No edges peeling, or pulling up. and there is no dirt if all of the edges are rolled under.

This.

I xpel'ed my c7 z06 and i still don't even notice the edges nor it turning "yellow" like most PPF's after a couple of years.

Limegrntaln · 09-26-2021, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGM-M3COMP

This.

I xpel'ed my c7 z06 and i still don't even notice the edges nor it turning "yellow" like most PPF's after a couple of years.

I drove my commuter that I had xpel'd, in every weather imaginable. And it still looked brand new at 100K.

buckybadger · 09-26-2021, 08:13 PM

Yes for sure!

xantdieselx · 09-26-2021, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying05

Do it while new before you get chips and it's too late. The expense is minimal compared to what you paid. Just do the front, full hood, mirrors, and most likely in front of the rear wheels.

Agree completely. If you change your mind about keeping the car you will regret not having done it.

csayad · 09-29-2021, 02:14 PM

I'm getting quoted $5k for a whole car PPF with xpel film.

GregM4 · 09-30-2021, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkovac1

Hi all! I'm expecting my M3 Comp xDrive to come soon. I was wondering what you guys thought about getting a clear bra as soon as i get it. Is it truly helpful in protecting the paint?

Thanks in advance

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkovac1

Hi all! I'm expecting my M3 Comp xDrive to come soon. I was wondering what you guys thought about getting a clear bra as soon as i get it. Is it truly helpful in protecting the paint?

Thanks in advance

Two words. A MUST.

Flying05 · 09-30-2021, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csayad

I'm getting quoted $5k for a whole car PPF with xpel film.

Seems very tempting and had me thinking about my incoming M3. Wonder if that is overkill? Unless you plan on keeping the car for a long while. My track record is bad with that though.

merlin3008 · 10-01-2021, 09:40 AM

My car is going to be leased, but I will put PPF on the front bumper. 90% of the paint chips due to road debris, etc. on my cars fall on the bumper. It's nice to know that if I choose to buy the car after the lease, the paint under there is pristine.

09-26-2021, 03:19 PM	#1
jkovac1 Enlisted Member 18 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2022 M3 Competition xDrive Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	My M3 is coming soon. Thoughts on clear bra? Hi all! I'm expecting my M3 Comp xDrive to come soon. I was wondering what you guys thought about getting a clear bra as soon as i get it. Is it truly helpful in protecting the paint? Thanks in advance __________________ 2022 BMW M3 Competition xDrive (Toronto Red) 2015 Audi S3
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09-26-2021, 04:17 PM	#2
ember.m4 Second Lieutenant 291 Rep 223 Posts Drives: G82 M4 Competition xDrive Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Lots of threads on this already so be sure to do a search for more info. tldr; yes it really does work. Many people get a frontal ppf, which is probably the most practical. Some folks that want pristine get whole car. Some folks don't care to get any. It's not really going to help the residual of your car, so look at it as an expense not an investment. Do it only if seeing scratches on your car will make you sad, and is worth the few thousand to you. __________________ IG: ember.m4
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09-26-2021, 06:15 PM	#5
KiloCo First Lieutenant 267 Rep 333 Posts Drives: Toyota// 22 G82 M4 Comp Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: California iTrader: (0)	jkovac1, When my M4 Comp arrives and after the Stop Sale delays I will be going from the dealership to the ..detail shop for XPEL PPF an Ceramic.
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09-26-2021, 06:28 PM	#6
KnightedBMW Lieutenant Colonel 2364 Rep 1,751 Posts Drives: 2022 M3C Join Date: May 2016 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Short answer: if you lease, not worth it (unless you’re anal).
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09-26-2021, 06:30 PM	#7
M0J0 Lieutenant 195 Rep 414 Posts Drives: XM3C '22 JKUR '13 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston,TX iTrader: (0)	I have a clear bra on my Audi and I don't like it. You can clearly see where the xpel ends. It collects dirt at the edges. I would not do it again. If I did it would be the full hood and quarter panels. I plan to skip putting on any ppf.
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09-26-2021, 06:45 PM	#10
Flying05 Captain 1324 Rep 957 Posts Drives: 2022 G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Do it while new before you get chips and it's too late. The expense is minimal compared to what you paid. Just do the front, full hood, mirrors, and most likely in front of the rear wheels. __________________ [/SIGPIC]
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09-26-2021, 08:13 PM	#13
buckybadger BMW forever! 1608 Rep 2,599 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Yes for sure! __________________ 2020 BMW X5 2019 BMW M2C 2014 BMW 335i 2009 BMW 328i
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09-29-2021, 02:14 PM	#15
csayad Degenerate 553 Rep 782 Posts Drives: BMW M3 xDrive Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: IL / FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M5 Competiton [9.00]	I'm getting quoted $5k for a whole car PPF with xpel film.
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10-01-2021, 09:40 AM	#18
merlin3008 Captain 938 Rep 905 Posts Drives: 2025 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	My car is going to be leased, but I will put PPF on the front bumper. 90% of the paint chips due to road debris, etc. on my cars fall on the bumper. It's nice to know that if I choose to buy the car after the lease, the paint under there is pristine. __________________ 2025 M3 xDrive, Dravit Gray over Kyalami Orange (on the way) 2022 M3 xDrive, Brooklyn Grey over Tartufo (SOLD) 2021 Tesla Model Y 2019 MB AMG C43 (Sold) 2016 M235i xdrive, Alpine White, Terra Leather, Orbit Gray Wheels (Sold)
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