3M Clear Bra VS BMW Clear Paint Protective Film - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

OLEK135i · 08-12-2009, 01:05 PM

Assuming price is not a factor, what is the difference, if any, between the 3M Clear Bra and the BMW Clear Paint Protection Film offered in the 1 Series Accessories brochure? I've seen many posts regarding the 3M CB and how good it is (or not) but none regarding BMW CPPF. I am waiting for a quote from my dealer for application of the BMW CPPF and will most likely go with lower bid (BMW dealer vs independent 3M applier). On paper they seem like the same product (not harm your paint, peel, crack, fade or yellow). Thoughts?

KingOfJericho · 08-12-2009, 01:20 PM

My advice is not to go with what is cheapest, but what will look the best. I am taking mine to a shop that does custom 3M. I am doing this because the pre-cut kits look like crap. You can see the edges all over the place and it's so distracting to me. The custom place wraps all edges, does the entire hood with the seams along the hood lines, and pops out all lights and headlight washers to wrap those edges as well. This custom work will cost between $1,200 and $1,800. You get what you pay for...

OLEK135i · 08-12-2009, 01:41 PM

Just got a call from the dealer. They do not apply the accessory offered in the brochure meaning its a DIY. That and your response KingOfJericho makes it an open and shut case for 3M product. I found a guy that does custom 3M and quoted me $600 (bumper & hood, no mirrors cause I've read it makes your mirros whistle). I will double check for reputable 3M shops in the Midwest Forum. {my apologies to the moderators if this is in the wrong forum}.

David1 · 08-13-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLEK135i

Just got a call from the dealer. They do not apply the accessory offered in the brochure meaning its a DIY. That and your response KingOfJericho makes it an open and shut case for 3M product. I found a guy that does custom 3M and quoted me $600 (bumper & hood, no mirrors cause I've read it makes your mirros whistle). I will double check for reputable 3M shops in the Midwest Forum. {my apologies to the moderators if this is in the wrong forum}.

It will not make you mirrors whistle, I have the mirrors done on every car. Whoever told you that must be on crack.

escobar929 · 08-13-2009, 02:15 PM

i was thinking bout doing this also

KingOfJericho · 08-13-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

It will not make you mirrors whistle, I have the mirrors done on every car. Whoever told you that must be on crack.

It didn't make sense to me either. I had them done on my Lotus without issue...

Mindgame · 08-13-2009, 03:40 PM

Either the unmodified mirrors have a slight whistle at freeway speed or it was added by my clear bra.

I have the whistle

BlackjackMulligan · 08-13-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

It will not make you mirrors whistle, I have the mirrors done on every car. Whoever told you that must be on crack.

If you don't have a 1 Series, how can you possibly comment on this issue?

It's a known issue that many 1ers with clear bra applied to the mirrors whistle because it's a 2-piece application. The small space in the middle of the mirror running horizontally between the 2 pieces of film causes whistling.

David1 · 08-13-2009, 09:46 PM

Mine are also two piece with the same split. No whistle.

Zuzu · 08-13-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

It will not make you mirrors whistle, I have the mirrors done on every car. Whoever told you that must be on crack.

There was a thread on this about "the whistling mirrors" about 10 months ago..

But in saying that havent heard a whistle

about the topic since.

The Cthulhu · 08-13-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

My advice is not to go with what is cheapest, but what will look the best. I am taking mine to a shop that does custom 3M. I am doing this because the pre-cut kits look like crap. You can see the edges all over the place and it's so distracting to me. The custom place wraps all edges, does the entire hood with the seams along the hood lines, and pops out all lights and headlight washers to wrap those edges as well. This custom work will cost between $1,200 and $1,800. You get what you pay for...

That's pretty expensive. I wonder if you can buy the film and go to a tint shop and have them apply it.

Schneller! · 08-13-2009, 11:54 PM

...the product from BMW is 3M...I bought it and had a local shop apply it (all of the front pieces) for about $375 total -for everything - and love it...one thing to note, it does not "saranwrap" the entire front - but it does offer pretty decent coverage...and at that price it's a steal...

KingOfJericho · 08-14-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Cthulhu

That's pretty expensive. I wonder if you can buy the film and go to a tint shop and have them apply it.

The shop is actually in your area. Detailing Dynamics in Mineola. They were the second shop in the country to do the custom wraps so they are VERY experienced (10+ years). They do F40s, Carrera GTs, etc. I could go to any local tint shop to get a pre-cut kit installed for a few hundred bucks but it doesn't wrap edges and there are visible seams all over the place.

The Cthulhu · 08-14-2009, 08:12 AM

Well, when they put tints on your car, they lay it on the ouside to cut it, first...

I was thinking that if you could provide the sheet of raw material, they could lay it over the front of your car, like putting a tint on, and then cut the edges, so it wouldn't be a pre-cut kit.

KingOfJericho · 08-14-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Cthulhu

Well, when they put tints on your car, they lay it on the ouside to cut it, first...

I was thinking that if you could provide the sheet of raw material, they could lay it over the front of your car, like putting a tint on, and then cut the edges, so it wouldn't be a pre-cut kit.

That's a pretty antiquated tint shop you're using. The shop I use has a huge thing that looks like a printer that cuts it to factory spec. They just type in the model and year and it laser cuts the tint to fit.

The Cthulhu · 08-14-2009, 10:00 AM

That's interesting, didn't know they did that. My tints came out great, so I guess they knew what they were doing. If it's antiquated, that's ok. It always impresses me when people are really good at what they do, like pin stripers.

I thought they all did it by hand

otterdoc · 08-15-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

It will not make you mirrors whistle, I have the mirrors done on every car. Whoever told you that must be on crack.

I'm still dealing with 3M and BMWNA because immediately after 3M install, my driver's side mirror started to whistle. I have an appointment next week to get it reinstalled to see if there's a fix. A search will turn up a few threads from folks with this same problem.

It's not a consistent issue, so I really don't understand whether it's the mirror, the film, or some combination of both. BMWNA insists it's not the physical design of the mirror. 3M insists their film doesn't do this, but my installer has had another 135i have the same problem. They replaced the mirror and put new film on it and it still whistled.

And I'm definitely not smoking crack.

otterdoc · 09-17-2009, 10:58 PM

I got a new pattern installed on my mirror today and there is no whistle. The installer usually uses a pattern from XPel, but he went with a ProForm pattern instead. Naturally, this will all be moot with the 2010my mirrors. At least I got the problem fixed.

Anyone local to Detroit area that needs a good installer that stands behind his product and cares about happy customers, look up Paint Protection Plus. Larry was willing to do whatever it took to make me happy with the install.

DetailersDomain · 09-18-2009, 09:26 PM

I have to say guys you get what you pay, remember your paying for coverage.

I believe there is something for everyone.

I have seen some oem precuts and they do the job but the coverage is not there and the look may not be either.

speedFilm · 02-08-2010, 12:28 PM

I've installed paint protection film for nearly ten years on over 3000 cars (6000 mirrors). In all that time I have run across 2 instances where the film on the mirrors caused a whistle. The first one was about five years ago on a first generation Porsche Cayenne and the whistle was caused by a small edge that was tucked between the gaps in the mirror instead of trimmed off, the second was on a 911 just a few weeks ago that I did not do the install on.

Replacing the film solved both problems. I guess its like blowing on a blade of grass, if an edge is not totally sealed and is in just the right place, its a possiblilty but definately not the norm.

matt · 06-06-2011, 05:33 AM

how is the look of the film after a few thousand miles?

does it look bad? (i.e. has to be changed?)

ken1137 · 06-19-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

how is the look of the film after a few thousand miles?

does it look bad? (i.e. has to be changed?)

I had the 3M clear bra on my 328 for a couple of years (14K mi) and it was in great condition. I am having it applied to my 135 this week but might skip the mirrors. All - just remember to use liquid wax to fill the pores of the clear bra.
I know from experience... bird crap splattered my wife's MDX with the clear bra and of course she told me a week later but it was too late

. The crap soaked into the pores and cannot be removed. The liquid wax will prevent such damage.

08-13-2009, 03:40 PM	#7
Mindgame Poke Her Face Drives: 09 135I Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 367 iTrader: (0)	Either the unmodified mirrors have a slight whistle at freeway speed or it was added by my clear bra. I have the whistle __________________ ///

08-13-2009, 09:46 PM	#9
David1 Colonel Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: City With No Room For Ludicris Speed! Posts: 2,123 iTrader: (0)	Mine are also two piece with the same split. No whistle. __________________ 2009 335i CoupeLBM - Black Dakota/Glacier aluminum-6spd\|Nav\|M-Sport\|Premium\|Logic7\|Heated Seats\|CA\|BMW Performance Suspension & M3 Control Arms\|M3 lip spoiler 2009 X5 3.0-AW-Black Dakota/Bamboo\|Premium\|Tech\|Cold Weather\|Ipod Rear Climate\| 07 335 coupe - Sold 07 X3 - Sold

08-13-2009, 11:54 PM	#12
Schneller! Private Drives: 2009 AW 135i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ramstein, Germany/USA Posts: 70 iTrader: (0)	...the product from BMW is 3M...I bought it and had a local shop apply it (all of the front pieces) for about $375 total -for everything - and love it...one thing to note, it does not "saranwrap" the entire front - but it does offer pretty decent coverage...and at that price it's a steal... __________________ Model: 135i Coupe/Alpine White/Black Leatherette/6 Speed/PDC/premium hi-fi/i-Pod/USB Adaptor/AluminumTrim/M-Sport Package/NAV system/Lead foot

09-17-2009, 10:58 PM	#18
otterdoc Mean Little Otter Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 151 iTrader: (0)	Film Whistle Solved I got a new pattern installed on my mirror today and there is no whistle. The installer usually uses a pattern from XPel, but he went with a ProForm pattern instead. Naturally, this will all be moot with the 2010my mirrors. At least I got the problem fixed. Anyone local to Detroit area that needs a good installer that stands behind his product and cares about happy customers, look up Paint Protection Plus. Larry was willing to do whatever it took to make me happy with the install. __________________ 2009 135i: M-Sport, Prem, Step, CA, Nav, iPod/USB, LeMans/Beige.

09-18-2009, 09:26 PM	#19
DetailersDomain Colonel Drives: FJ Cruiser Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,845 iTrader: (22)	I have to say guys you get what you pay, remember your paying for coverage. I believe there is something for everyone. I have seen some oem precuts and they do the job but the coverage is not there and the look may not be either. __________________ Phil Detailer's Domain Use BMW for 10% off at checkout. Tips/How To's/Videos, Deals, and More Click here to subscribe to the current promotions offered out to all members here. Like Us on Facebook

08-12-2009, 01:20 PM	#2
KingOfJericho Brigadier General Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT Posts: 4,232 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [4.50]	My advice is not to go with what is cheapest, but what will look the best. I am taking mine to a shop that does custom 3M. I am doing this because the pre-cut kits look like crap. You can see the edges all over the place and it's so distracting to me. The custom place wraps all edges, does the entire hood with the seams along the hood lines, and pops out all lights and headlight washers to wrap those edges as well. This custom work will cost between $1,200 and $1,800. You get what you pay for...

08-12-2009, 01:41 PM	#3
OLEK135i Private Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 61 iTrader: (1)	Just got a call from the dealer. They do not apply the accessory offered in the brochure meaning its a DIY. That and your response KingOfJericho makes it an open and shut case for 3M product. I found a guy that does custom 3M and quoted me $600 (bumper & hood, no mirrors cause I've read it makes your mirros whistle). I will double check for reputable 3M shops in the Midwest Forum. {my apologies to the moderators if this is in the wrong forum}.

08-13-2009, 02:15 PM	#5
escobar929 Brigadier General Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 4,099 iTrader: (7) Garage List 2010 135i [3.50]	i was thinking bout doing this also

08-14-2009, 08:12 AM	#14
The Cthulhu Banned Drives: N/A Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 197 iTrader: (0)	Well, when they put tints on your car, they lay it on the ouside to cut it, first... I was thinking that if you could provide the sheet of raw material, they could lay it over the front of your car, like putting a tint on, and then cut the edges, so it wouldn't be a pre-cut kit.

08-14-2009, 10:00 AM	#16
The Cthulhu Banned Drives: N/A Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 197 iTrader: (0)	That's interesting, didn't know they did that. My tints came out great, so I guess they knew what they were doing. If it's antiquated, that's ok. It always impresses me when people are really good at what they do, like pin stripers. I thought they all did it by hand

02-08-2010, 12:28 PM	#20
speedFilm Registered Drives: 03 325 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	I've installed paint protection film for nearly ten years on over 3000 cars (6000 mirrors). In all that time I have run across 2 instances where the film on the mirrors caused a whistle. The first one was about five years ago on a first generation Porsche Cayenne and the whistle was caused by a small edge that was tucked between the gaps in the mirror instead of trimmed off, the second was on a 911 just a few weeks ago that I did not do the install on. Replacing the film solved both problems. I guess its like blowing on a blade of grass, if an edge is not totally sealed and is in just the right place, its a possiblilty but definately not the norm.

06-06-2011, 05:33 AM	#21
matt Lieutenant Drives: munichs finest Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Stuttgart Posts: 580 iTrader: (0)	how is the look of the film after a few thousand miles? does it look bad? (i.e. has to be changed?) __________________ f*ckin' love my car <3

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