[Rcasa20]

I wanted to do a poll but couldn’t figure it out. I see some people advocate for buying at a distance from one’s home and then drive it home but I’d personally never wanna go naked and I don’t want to PPF somewhere else in case issues arise later on. What did you do to your existing Z4 or what are going to do with your upcoming Z4? No wrong answers…just curious.

[Horseman]

PPF entire front end, mirror caps, A-pillars and rocker pannels.. ceramic everything else.

[Westside Guy]

I did full PPF and ceramic after driving a few hundred miles and noticing a rock chip on my front bumper. Don’t delay and do it ASAP!

Do it nearby as PPF almost always requires a return visit to the shop for a minor touchup or two on some of the edges.

[BEAR-AvHistory-2]

Have never used any film.

[Cliffj335]

PPF is just on the nose. Ceramic everywhere else. Just rolled over 10K miles and no issues.

[Bayernzeit]

Like others, full ppf up front and ceramic on the sides and back. First car with ppf and I’m a big fan.

[Rcasa20]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory-2

Have never used any film.

Bears don’t cover themselves so makes sense.

[Westside Guy]

You may also want to put ceramic on your wheels. 😉

[RavenGX]

only ceramic coating for me.

[Smudge10]

I did full PPF. After learning how soft the water-based paints are these days, just gives me a better level of comfort. Probably doesn't pay for itself, strictly speaking, but I like the look and it is easier to wash and easier on the "worry factor".

[DDS2015]

I’m doing full ppf when I take delivery.

My “partial ppf” would be everything but the trunk and doors so it’s minimal extra cost.

These tires kick up lots of debris so the rockers and back bumper are very susceptible to damage also. I had that on my first M4 and will never make that mistake again.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory-2

Have never used any film.

Are you admitting that you are a nudist? 🤪

[Argo]

While full PPF would be nice, I think it's very hard to justify at $6K+ since any damage that PPF will protect against can reasonably be touched up and that route will be cheaper in the long run.

The "self healing" claims for PPF also don't really apply for damage that would result in an actual chip in the paint or clear coat. You do see where the damage happened in the PPF, and the only fix in that case is to replace the film in the whole panel.

[SpeedyATL]

First time with ppf. Did hood, frt bumper, quarters, rockers and a ft behind the rear wheels. Also did my piano back console. Ceramic everywhere.

Very pleased. If doing it again, I might skip the ceramic and do the entire car in ppf.

[BEAR-AvHistory-2]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Are you admitting that you are a nudist? ��

I will have you know I am properly attired even at the beach.



Fishing is sooo relaxing

BTW Really wish our cars had seat cooling for the summer.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory-2

BTW Really wish our cars had seat cooling for the summer.

I totally agree with you, that is one option that I believe many of us would gladly pay for!!! 😎

[GerryC]

Just ceramic coating. Just can't see where the value justifies the cost of the PPF. It might if you're trading every 2-3 years, but even then the difference in trade-in between "good" and "excellent" is seldom enough to recover the cost of the PPF.

Besides that, I've gotten pretty good at paint touch up. It may not be perfect but all my cars still looked pretty good when it came time to trade them. And in the end, it's just a car and it will depreciate in value.

[boss2k]

PPF only front bumper, headlights and rocker panel, i hate covering up a car with plastic

[khp3655]

Originally Posted by GerryC

Just ceramic coating. Just can't see where the value justifies the cost of the PPF. It might if you're trading every 2-3 years, but even then the difference in trade-in between "good" and "excellent" is seldom enough to recover the cost of the PPF.

Besides that, I've gotten pretty good at paint touch up. It may not be perfect but all my cars still looked pretty good when it came time to trade them. And in the end, it's just a car and it will depreciate in value.

I'm on the same page you here. Dr. Colorchip works well for me. There is no way to keep a car perfect and spending $4-6K to try and prevent the inevitable feels like a bad investment for a depreciating asset. I got a harsh reminder of this when my car was hit in a parking lot and while the repairs were cosmetic and minor, the accident knocks $3-$4K off the trade-in value based on what the main used national car companies will offer.

[StanDiego]

No PPF for me, tried it once, never again. Biggest issue other than cost is if the PPF gets damaged and needs replaced (which happened to me). There’s a lot of labor involved in removing the existing PPF and prepping the finish for the replacement. Nobody likes that job unless the PPF is fairly new.

Like GerryC, I anticipate a few rock chips, doesn’t bother me to have to do some chip repair if necessary. Owning a Z4 with a forever flawless finish isn’t my priority with the car. I would have some interest in PPF for some of the piano black plastics but my go-to guy for PPF doesn’t have the patterns for it and I haven’t yet investigated an alternative source. It’s not a big priority either.

[Rcasa20]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

No PPF for me, tried it once, never again. Biggest issue other than cost is if the PPF gets damaged and needs replaced (which happened to me). There’s a lot of labor involved in removing the existing PPF and prepping the finish for the replacement. Nobody likes that job unless the PPF is fairly new.

Like GerryC, I anticipate a few rock chips, doesn’t bother me to have to do some chip repair if necessary. Owning a Z4 with a forever flawless finish isn’t my priority with the car. I would have some interest in PPF for some of the piano black plastics but my go-to guy for PPF doesn’t have the patterns for it and I haven’t yet investigated an alternative source. It’s not a big priority either.

Yea, the piano black is brutal. I’ll be discussing with my detailer when my car arrives. I’ll also invest in the inside kit to protect the piano black around the stick shift.

[Rcasa20]

GerryC [QUOTE=GerryC;31166055]Just ceramic coating. Just can't see where the value justifies the cost of the PPF. It might if you're trading every 2-3 years, but even then the difference in trade-in between "good" and "excellent" is seldom enough to recover the cost of the PPF.

I think of it in the other direction. If I’m keeping it short term then why invest in ppf. If it’s a long term hold then I’m all in for all the benefits others listed. No matter though it’s hard to truly recoup the cost even though I’m more excited about a used car that has it than the same car that doesn’t. My demand curve is different which does cover some costs.