PPF - % of owners doing it

[maticCRO]

Originally Posted by tdidona

Like most of you I am on the fence on whether or not to get PPF. I have a G80 on order that I plan to keep for a very long time, 10+ years, so it's important for me to protect it. Car will be driven a few times a week and garage kept at all times, so not a ton of miles. If I do it I'm leaning full PPF, and I've found a couple of reputable installers locally that will add ceramic for "free", but I'm getting quotes between $8k-$12k, so this is a huge cost I'm trying to justify.

If I don't do PPF I'd do ceramic, probably on my own. Like anything else, the more I research the more I waffle back and forth, and my biggest PPF concerns are etching from bugs and bird poop, and permanent tears from rock chips over time that would require replacement. Can some of you that have had PPF on your cars for a while comment on how common this is? I saw N1rve mentioned etching a few posts back, how common do you find this on a PPF install? Would kill me to drop that much cash and have the PPF permanently stained. Thanks.

I do not see a concern, my guy gave me 10y guarantee, if you get at least 5y warranty, what is there to worry about? It gets teared or broken or doesnt stick like it used to, you just go and they fix it for you...

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by maticCRO

I do not see a concern, my guy gave me 10y guarantee, if you get at least 5y warranty, what is there to worry about? It gets teared or broken or doesnt stick like it used to, you just go and they fix it for you...

I recommend that you read the fine print of these warranties and you will see all types of exclusions and exceptions and they are not all inclusive.

At the end of the day, "an educated consumer is your best customer"!!!

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by maticCRO

I do not see a concern, my guy gave me 10y guarantee, if you get at least 5y warranty, what is there to worry about? It gets teared or broken or doesnt stick like it used to, you just go and they fix it for you...

If you read the fine print, the warranty does not cover stains.

XPEL Paint Protection films are an effective sacrificial layer, providing robust paint protection.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER DEFECTS CAUSED BY:

1. Non-compliance with the Company’s guide or instructions. Such failures include, but are not limited to, exposure to physical abuse, including, but not limited to chemical abuse (e.g. harsh cleansers and solvents), thermal abuse or shock (e.g. excessive heat or cold) or misuse;

2. Improper storage, installation, handling and/or use of the Product;

3. Damage not resulting from manufacturing defects that occur while the Product is in the customer’s possession;

4. Unreasonable or unintended use of Product;

5. Products installed with known or visible manufacturing defects at the time of installation, including, but not limited to scratches, scuffs, scrapes, chips to the painted surface;

6. Stains, and scratches;

https://www.xpel.com/warranty-inform...oWszsdicTaQ8cp

[SYT_Shadow]

It is absolutely and inequivocally worth it. We've done it on 4 cars. The only way I ever will own a car 10+ years.

It is priceless to have oem level paint underneath the ppf.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

It is absolutely and inequivocally worth it. We've done it on 4 cars. The only way I ever will own a car 10+ years.

It is priceless to have oem level paint underneath the ppf.

Concur 100% with SYT_Shadow

Opted for STEK DYNOshield PPF after paint correction, followed by ceramic coat over PPF as well.
Super pleased with outcome...IMO, worth investing if your whip is a "keeper".

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Concur 100% with SYT_Shadow

Opted for STEK DYNOshield PPF after paint correction, followed by ceramic coat over PPF as well.
Super pleased with outcome...IMO, worth investing if your whip is a "keeper".

I like it.

[TimmyTurbos]

STEK, all day!

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Concur 100% with SYT_Shadow

Opted for STEK DYNOshield PPF after paint correction, followed by ceramic coat over PPF as well.
Super pleased with outcome...IMO, worth investing if your whip is a "keeper".

An Interlagos Blue E92 M3 is just

I’ve got all my spendy cars PPFed as it definitely provides some protection, plus makes them way easier to keep clean without fear of swirls and scratches.

5000km in four months (with 3000km over the next few weeks) in my new-to-me Aston and I’m glad I did a full body PPF. New X5 is waiting in the garage for its wrap appointment in the new year.

[MYM440]

New to the group and taking delivery of my 2026M440xdive in March. Looking at doing half the car including posts and mirrors. Which PPF is the Best? I plan to keep the car. Also any Grand Rapids Michigan guys out there that would recommend an installer? Thinking Xpel but I’ve never PPF’d a car. Thanks.

[Phillies8008]

I think you’re going to get a lot of varying opinions, but the thing is that almost no one here is going to have tried them all, so I’m not sure how valid a comparison it would be. What I’d recommend instead is to talk to people and read reviews in your area about the installers they’ve been happy with. I think you’ll find that the installers that lots of people have used and had good experiences with are going to be using top-quality materials.

I’d also recommend joining the BMW Car Club of America and go to their meetings, outings, etc. You’re going to find guys there that are passionate about BMWs and will have used PPF installers around you. It’s been my experience that whenever I’ve used folks they recommend I’m happy with the results.

[brianeck]

Just sell your car and buy another one later with super low miles and perfect paint. The PPF will get you next to no return in the aftermarket and even people who want the car will still try and undercut you since "they can't see whats under the film." Watch any car dealership videos buying a wrapped car and how they smoke the sellers. . .

If you're gonna keep the car as a garage queen for 12 years you can ignore my statement, but otherwise it is not actually an investment or a value prop

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by MYM440

New to the group and taking delivery of my 2026M440xdive in March. Looking at doing half the car including posts and mirrors. Which PPF is the Best? I plan to keep the car. Also any Grand Rapids Michigan guys out there that would recommend an installer? Thinking Xpel but I’ve never PPF’d a car. Thanks.

Skip XPEL lol. Chemical resistance is terrible. I've tried XPEL and Llumar and I am a huge fan of the Llumar film. LLumar is owned by Eastman and they also own Suntek so essentially are the same films. I've heard good things of STEK but it's not available everywhere and I haven't been able to try it.

[Altamate]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Skip XPEL lol. Chemical resistance is terrible. I've tried XPEL and Llumar and I am a huge fan of the Llumar film. LLumar is owned by Eastman and they also own Suntek so essentially are the same films. I've heard good things of STEK but it's not available everywhere and I haven't been able to try it.

I’m a little curious what chemicals get dumped on your car that you need the PPF to protect from.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by Altamate

I’m a little curious what chemicals get dumped on your car that you need the PPF to protect from.

Bird crap. Etched the XPEL film and left a permanent mark and my Llumar film was not etched. Didn't even sit that long and it happened on the drive back home.

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by Altamate

I’m a little curious what chemicals get dumped on your car that you need the PPF to protect from.

Bird droppings, acid in rain water, and so on.

After all, at the end of the day everything is a chemical.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

After all, at the end of the day everything is a chemical.

Shhhhh. You’re going to scare a lot of people. Lol

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by OC40

Shhhhh. You’re going to scare a lot of people. Lol

Wait until they find out about that deadly chemical, H2O - ingest too much, and boom! You're dead. Scary stuff.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Wait until they find out about that deadly chemical, H2O - ingest too much, and boom! You're dead. Scary stuff.

Lmfao. I literally had that discussion at the office yesterday. I drink a ton of water and it came up while I was filling up for the 1000000th time.

[Altamate]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Bird droppings, acid in rain water, and so on.

After all, at the end of the day everything is a chemical.

Oh I get it, but H2SO4 being one of the strongest acids known and a prime component of acid rain has been so greatly reduced in most areas that it can’t be much of an issue anymore. Bird droppings are a real issue as well but Poly Urethane the main ingredient in even the cheapest PPF is pretty tough stuff.

I was wondering if the guy was driving through protest marches and getting acid thrown at his car?

[TimmyTurbos]

If you plan on keeping the car - PPF the whole car. You will always wish you did..You just spent a good deal of cash, protect it. Use STEK film, hands down. Forget Xpel for PPF..STEK is the clearest, self heals, ceramic coated top layer, and 10yr manufacturer warranty. Just do it, I know it's expensive, but you will sleep sound when you know your baby is protected.

Now the debate above..PPF is NOT an investment. People don't get it to get a return on the film, the return is on the car and the condition of such. ANY dealer is gonna hose you, you are looking for private sales to people who keep their stuff clean and well maintained. Sure you wont get full return on your $, but thats the case w ANYTHING you do to a car..I'd 100% pay up for a car that's been PPFed vs one w 9yr of sun, weather and road damage. An don't give me the BS you don't know what's under it..It's F'in CLEAR bro! We're not talking about some lame ass wrap nonsense.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by TimmyTurbos

If you plan on keeping the car - PPF the whole car. You will always wish you did..You just spent a good deal of cash, protect it. Use STEK film, hands down. Forget Xpel for PPF..STEK is the clearest, self heals, ceramic coated top layer, and 10yr manufacturer warranty. Just do it, I know it's expensive, but you will sleep sound when you know your baby is protected.

Now the debate above..PPF is NOT an investment. People don't get it to get a return on the film, the return is on the car and the condition of such. ANY dealer is gonna hose you, you are looking for private sales to people who keep their stuff clean and well maintained. Sure you wont get full return on your $, but thats the case w ANYTHING you do to a car..I'd 100% pay up for a car that's been PPFed vs one w 9yr of sun, weather and road damage. An don't give me the BS you don't know what's under it..It's F'in CLEAR bro! We're not talking about some lame ass wrap nonsense.

I plan on keeping my car for a while and didn’t ppf.

Agree with your statement on investment. I think people, in general, use the term too loosely. Drives me insane.

[Altamate]

I PPF mine, all the non PPF 100,000km/10yr old cars around here have 100s of rock chips across the front of them. If you are buying a used car you will always pick the good paint one over the not good paint when everything else is equal.