[theabbot]

Hi Folks

Looks like I've just bought myself a brand new 435D GC what's your thoughts on the paint protection package that BMW try to sell you, is it worth it or should I find someone/something else to protect the car, if so what/who? if it helps the car will come from BMW Bournemouth

Thanks

Mike

[AshMashMash]

Can't answer your question I am afraid but good to see another from Bournemouth!

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by theabbot

Hi Folks

Looks like I've just bought myself a brand new 435 what's your thoughts on the paint protection package that BMW try to sell you, is it worth it or should I find someone/something else to protect the car, if so what/who? if it helps the car will come from BMW Bournemouth

Thanks

Mike

Congrats on a great buy! If you look at my thread of my collected car (http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1303383) - it has the protection applied. There are pics of it in the sun and the rain (further down).

I wouldn't pay full price for it at all though, it's too expensive for something that you can do yourself, see if you can haggle it in (I did). My dealer protected the car, but didn't give me the maintenance kit that comes with the full package (fair enough, I was more than happy with that).

[HelmutVisor]

I was offered the protection for half price when I first went in to discuss a new car some three-four weeks ago. It was only on offer that day if I made a decision there and then to buy a new car (Hmm, so youll give me £200 off if I sign for a £50k car here and now??). I declined. I had a good chat with a friend who does a lot of detailing in his spare time and he advised not to bother. Unless they give you it for free, its not worth it. The protection system itself is ok by all accounts but how it is applied is the important thing. Unless the person applying it is a professional detailer, its pointless. Doubt very much that the dealership will be employing a specialist to apply it. More than likely one of the young lads who does the day to day valeting on the forecourt. Heard a couple of stories of them simply walking down the side of the car with one wipe and ticking the boxes. Best to just make sure they valet prep the car and then take it to a professional detailer to spend half a day/a day making sure the finish is nicely prep'd and a good deep layer of wax or similar. May cost you up to £100 but it is well worth it and better than spending 3x that for a gash job.

[225]

Welcome! Dont do it with bmw! Better off going straight to a detailer who will prepare the paint properly then apply protection. Alot of have used gtechniq and I used a 3rd party detailer to apply gtechniq crystal serum light and exo on to. Looks amazing on a mineral grey car.

Need pics of the car please!

[Hoppy_70]

I did my own with Autoglym life shine. Lots of kits available on eBay for around £20, which is peanuts given that the dealer would charge £200 for the kit. It's really easy to apply and last ages.

[willjames]

I had this on mine, Gard X. When it was first done it seemed great, but didn't seem to last that long paintwork seem super smooth (water beading etc). Mines now 3 month old and doesn't seem to be the same. However, not sure it it's any easier to clean. Probably wouldn't bother to pay for it again. Probably get it detailed professionally instead.

[vadimo]

Originally Posted by willjames

I had this on mine, Gard X. When it was first done it seemed great, but didn't seem to last that long paintwork seem super smooth (water beading etc). Mines now 3 month old and doesn't seem to be the same. However, not sure it it's any easier to clean. Probably wouldn't bother to pay for it again. Probably get it detailed professionally instead.

same purchased today with my new and young second hand car, after haggling to £250. I think after reading various posts now maybe it wasn't such a great idea.

Did you get warranty certificate and T&Cs paperwork? i still got to read it, i imagine its full of crap.

[Rich9600]

My new car received the standard dealership preparation. They know I am a bit OCD about my car and tried hard. However, they had damaged the windscreen pillar trim by catching it with a watch or something and left a few blemishes on (not in) the paint... Tuning up with a powerful LED torch I must have looked a freak, but I got to check properly.

I traded in a 2.5 year old well protected mineral grey car that hadn't been washed for a month and it had a better shine than the new MG car I collected!

Personally, I'd either DIY detail a car or get a professional to do it for you. The dealership rag draggers are paid to do a quick job, not a quality job. If you have any OCD/Perfectionist tendencies go elsewhere.

[black stig]

Agree with the go elsewhere approach. I'm going to decline the BMW protection and ask if they can leave the car as is. I'll get it round to a local firm for paint and interior prep, and a ceramic external coating.

I've also been doing a lot of research on keeping the finish in good shape. Looking at Zaino products, which seem to offer good shine and protection without too much hassle. Also comes recommended on a few forums for lighter colours (my incoming is Glacier Silver).

I guess it all depends on your OCD levels and the time you have for detailing. Only thing I'd personally avoid is paying a lot for anything the dealer offers.

[fatalkarma]

Originally Posted by 225

Welcome! Dont do it with bmw! Better off going straight to a detailer who will prepare the paint properly then apply protection. Alot of have used gtechniq and I used a 3rd party detailer to apply gtechniq crystal serum light and exo on to. Looks amazing on a mineral grey car.

Need pics of the car please!

Absolutely better off detailing it later. The finance insurance and add ons is where the dealer makes obscene margins. I've had 7 leases and have paid nominal touch up before I turned it in- if it even needed it. No need to prepay over priced and may never even be using.

[GaryUFM]

Also taking this approach, based on advice from the forum. Getting the dealer to powerwash only, before getting it detailed a couple of days later. Costs about the same as what BMW offered, but you just know it'll be done properly.

[theabbot]

Thanks for all your advice, just need to find a good detailer in the Bournemouth area. will post pics when I get it

Mike

[BMWChap]

Are they still selling brand new 435i's ?

[Mark1966]

Can you still buy new 435i's, I thought they were replaced with the 40i months ago?

[Steve_M_Sport]

Originally Posted by BMWChap

Are they still selling brand new 435i's ?

Could be a 435D ?

[225]

Im sure someone bought a 335i on here the other day. Dealer stock which had been with them a while and I have seen a couple of 435i with delivery miles advertised

[theabbot]

Sorry should have made it clearer it's a 435D GC.

Mike

[BMWChap]

Originally Posted by theabbot

Sorry should have made it clearer it's a 435D GC.

Mike

ahh ok, you edited the original post

[Moleeuk]

I had the protection on my 335d.

Wouldn't bother again.