[arRod1981]

Does anyone have any experience with Xpel Ultimate Fusion PPF?

Also, if I get my 45e fully PPF'd am I supposed to avoid non-touchless car wash centers? I ask because I have a bad back (titanium cage in lower back), get RFA on the nerves in where the cage is, and steroid injections in my tailbone. Making hand washing out of the question. Trying to protect and keep my Java Green paint as pristine as possible.

[chefwong]

Be careful with the non touches as the high pressure jets can lift the film edges....coin op, pressure wash blast and be mindful of edges.

It does make cleaning easier.

Installer is key - and while pricing is regional, it starts at 7K and upwards...
YMMV on this based on local but price aside, VET out your installer...

[arRod1981]

I was going to have the edges wrapped as I did not want the edges seen from pre-cut sheets.

It'd be installed directly from an Xpel store and not a third party installer. There's an actual Xpel facility here in San Antonio that isn't third party run/operated.

[chefwong]

Kewel on Xpel Direct. Just curious and you can PM me direct if u don't want to post. How much does it run coming direct from Xpel/ Knowledge Hog here

The film is -thick- so while the edges are wrapped , that's just a weak point on tack - due to the thickness of the film.

The film most likely will be pre cut with allowences for extra film for the tuck.
Their templating software allows installers, etc to tweak the pre cuts that come off the cutter.

[arRod1981]

Funny you ask chefwong, they wouldn't give me a quote as the vehicle is still in BMW's possession, but once I sign the paperwork they'll be glad to give me a quote. Should be signing my papers this week or next as it just finished production today. What I did find odd is that the rep asked why I wasn't going through BMW San Antonio because they do all PPF for them. I kindly let her know that going through the dealer was going to add cost. BMW isn't going to offer a product without taking a cut from it.

Main reason for wanting to do full PPF is people can be haters, and having an Individual paint is definitely going to make it stand out. So I wanted to protect from keying amongst the normal rock chips, etc.

[chefwong]

Have you researched installers in your area or 30-60mile radius. IME, pricing is more or less inline the same, some will be 1-1500 less, but IMO installer is key, and instead of a McDonalds Corp owned of all places (aka corp own shop), a boutique shop dedicated to auto detailing/paint correction/PPF may net you a higher quality install. At the end of the day, film aside, the installer is crucial

[arRod1981]

Appreciate the feedback, and will see what other retailers in the area offer.

[chefwong]

Like Mom taught us, don't believe everything you see on the internet ;-)
aka, don't just make a call based on 4.5/5 stars on yelp, google review combined. See what other car nerds go to, etc.

This shop referenced for example is a 4.5/5 star rated shop on Yelp. Google Reviews. Lotsa nice cars parked outside....

See this thread here.....
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1933560

Did you take pickup on it yet.
Mine is just awaiting transport and it leaves the factory, I do plan to send me SA the friendly remind : won't accept order if license plate mount is on front bumper, leave all transport film on car, etc. The goal is minimize dealer prep as well...

[chefwong]

Don't mean to scare you with this comment so I know you want to protect ur INDV paint, but installers will sometimes score/cut the film with a xacto knife literally a mm away from the -cutout- . Sometimes whoopsies happen....which you won't know as the film covers those whoopsies. Hence, I say, find a installer you are comfortable with.......

[arRod1981]

Haven't taken delivery yet, it just finished production today, and we're doing PCD on July 19th and driving it back to San Antonio.

Having us a nice road trip vacation, as it'll be our first since December 2019, and breaking it in at the same time.

[ScaldedDog]

Your question intrigued me, so I looked at what we just had installed. It was XPEL's Ultimate Plus, which appears to have been their top bin product until the Ultimate Fusion came out this year. From what I can tell, the difference is in the top coat.

In any event, I'll echo chefwong's comment about the installer being key. We toured our shop before deciding, and they were working on everything from a Mazda CX-5 to a Lamborghini Spyder. Just looking at a couple million dollars worth of cars that had been entrusted to them, as well as how clean the shop was and how well they were protecting the cars they were working on, sold me. They did a fantastic job, and if they made a mistake, I can't find it.

I say all this because a place that does a lot of dealership work would concern me. That's all about price, price and price, and what isn't about price is about turnaround time. Neither of those things would be at the top of my list.

With respect to your touchless car wash question, I'd think a long time before taking my car through one. At least with a coin-op self spray you know what you are doing and could control it. Perhaps you could do that, and then have a mobile detailer do a more thorough job once in awhile?

Mark

[arRod1981]

Appreciate the feedback. My husband and I both work from home, and only really do driving on the weekends so it would not get that dirty from daily commutes to and from work.

I have thought about a mobile detailer, as there is this highly reputable one I've been following for a while now, but pricing always put me off, and just ended up taking our white X3 to the Wash Tub. However, now that we're going to have a nice investment mobile detailer may be the route we have to take. Though I think there is a touch less car wash close in our vicinity.

[ScaldedDog]

Originally Posted by arRod1981

Appreciate the feedback. My husband and I both work from home, and only really do driving on the weekends so it would not get that dirty from daily commutes to and from work.

I have thought about a mobile detailer, as there is this highly reputable one I've been following for a while now, but pricing always put me off, and just ended up taking our white X3 to the Wash Tub. However, now that we're going to have a nice investment mobile detailer may be the route we have to take. Though I think there is a touch less car wash close in our vicinity.

You know, the deal I have with my wife is that she'll never have to buy gas again, as I'll happily drive her 45e to town for gas whenever it needs it. Perhaps you could make a similar deal, but with respect to car washing, with your husband.

Mark

[arRod1981]

Originally Posted by ScaldedDog

You know, the deal I have with my wife is that she'll never have to buy gas again, as I'll happily drive her 45e to town for gas whenever it needs it. Perhaps you could make a similar deal, but with respect to car washing, with your husband.

Mark

Ya know that just might be viable. After all he did let me spec out the 45e how I wanted it. We're getting rid of his '21 Audi SQ5 Sportback Prestige for it. All he cared about was having something big enough to carry our 2 dogs with us without it being crapped with him or my mother in the back.

We'll have the 45e and my '06 300 SRT8 that I've had with me in Germany. He knows that's my baby and I'm not giving it up.

[Mr_Scoutmaster]

Do you garage the car? I have to say, the first time I washed my X5 after Xpel PPF and Ceramic I was laughing like a maniac. It is SO easy to clean. Light pressure washing and quick dry with a towel will do it. If you keep it in a garage you won't even need to wash it that often. I also see you're here in central TX where it is 105 degrees and never rains. Great for not worrying about washing the car that much haha!

[arRod1981]

Originally Posted by Mr_Scoutmaster

Do you garage the car? I have to say, the first time I washed my X5 after Xpel PPF and Ceramic I was laughing like a maniac. It is SO easy to clean. Light pressure washing and quick dry with a towel will do it. If you keep it in a garage you won't even need to wash it that often. I also see you're here in central TX where it is 105 degrees and never rains. Great for not worrying about washing the car that much haha!

Yes, we for sure garage our cars. Being here in SATX I wouldn't have it any other way! LOL

[mattig]

Sorry I'm a few days late to this party, but I just had the whole car wrapped after taking delivery. Hard to tell it's there unless you're really looking. There were a few minor imperfections here and there--maybe 3 spots I could notice when going over it with a bright light. Nothing that anyone could see if they weren't looking for it.

Installer recommends against powered buffers, etc. Also recommended door edge guards as that's a common point of failure as surmised by OP.

Cost for the whole vehicle (not glass, but virtually everything else) was $5k.

[arRod1981]

I was quoted $9k for a full wrap with Xpel Fusion and $2,895 for full front.

[mattig]

The dealership only wanted 6k for Suntek. 9k is nuts.

[vjhunter]

Sorry I havent done any pricing research on full wrap. 5k seems reasonable. Do you mind sharing detailer info? Thanks in advance

[mattig]

Originally Posted by vjhunter

Sorry I havent done any pricing research on full wrap. 5k seems reasonable. Do you mind sharing detailer info? Thanks in advance

NW Protective Films in Hillsboro. Also listed on XPEL's list of licensed installers.

[chefwong]

Licensing is all about -sales marketing territory----IMO, I've seen other authorized installers and said authrorized installers should no where be in the craft they are in...

PPF installer is key. Custom or precut, eventually a knife cut will be required at some point. Bulk wrap vs plot cut vs hybrid install. Pricing varies across the board. Don't focus on price Narrow down 2 or 3 installers you want and then figure out the price from there.