[glennbk]

A lot of companies are pushing "safety & comfort" features. Two of them are: ceramic tint and paint protection film. The first costs around $500 and the second anywhere from $1500 up to $3000. Thoughts?

[bocabimmer]

Neither are scams. It's just a question of cost/benefit for your budget. Do you want good heat and solar ray blocking or better for more money?

Do you want no paint protection with wax, basic scratch protection with ceramic coating, or a more robust protection with PPF with increasing degrees of cost?

[Zaggy07]

It’s all personal preference. The PPF will protect from chips and scratches. I had mine done two years ago and plan on doing it on my next car. I’ve only had one stone go through the film. Comparing it to my last vehicle it’s night and day with the number of chips it’s saved. I also noticed that it’s so much easier to clean bugs off the front. I paid a little over $1000 for half hood, front bumper and side mirrors. Well worth it IMO.

I also did a ceramic coat myself for a few hundred dollars. The ceramic coat won’t protect from chips. Think of it as a maintenance free wax. Once it’s done you won’t have to touch it for a long time. The professional ceramic coats go on your car fax and they last a lot longer but you’ll pay for it. It’s usually $1000+

[s5sportback]

I’ve done ppf on my last few cars and is very helpful. Did ceramic on the M40i for the first time, it is easier to clean, but time will tell if it is worth it.

[SGHCU95]

Highly recommend PPF. It saved my hood and bumper from having to be painted after a hit and run. Well worth the cost.

[alex2364]

Worth it for people that care about chips and scratches. Scam for people that don't give a sh*t. You decide which one you are.

[deviation01]

When it comes to ceramic. I paid the high price of it 2.5k, for my Mustang Bullitt because the dark highland green paint was amazing. However, if you don't take care of the ceramic, it will still scratch and swirl. To sum it up and you can pick:

A car driven on the weekend and properly washed --> Ceramic is phenomenal and looks great.

A car that is daily and you can't wash properly --> not worth it.

Maybe the Xpel on the bumper would help with some rock chips, but it won't fully protect from any larger object.

[bbb83]

all ppf is a scam... you'll spend a bunch of extra money fixing that film after it gets dinged up and dirt accumulating under it. It looks like crap. Grab some touchup paint and call it good

[Gfit]

PPF reminds me of when my grandma used to cover her couches in plastic. Cost a lot of money to protect a couch that looked great when she thew it out.

[abbike18]

PPF: if you want no scratches and no chips and a self healing coating on car, get this.

Ceramic coating: If you want the car to always be 'waxed' without having to wax it. I did my car and windows with Avalon King and it's great. Water bead up and it shines like it's been waxed, and looks this way after a simple wash and dry.

Ceramic tints: I have xpel ceramic tints on all my cars. I absolutely love what it does for heat rejection from the sun. Especially if you live at higher altitude or in the desert. I even did my windshield.

Note on PPF and tints: skill of application matters a lot here. Don't go somewhere cheap. Best way to figure out where to go is to find out where the local Porsche dealer sends cars to get PPF/tints. Then go to that shop.

[HeartbreakRidge]

A few cars ago I decided that I really hated looking at a hood of little nicks and dings from several years of normal driving, and since then I've had PPF installed. Last two cars had a half hood installation, but with the upcoming X3 M40i and PCD pickup I went for a full hood installation by Extreme Colors Auto Spa (specifically their Cross Country package). PPF doesn't prevent EVERYTHING but it sure does cut down on the long term cumulative effect.

I agree that you will get your best results from shops that have a LOT of experience and put in the effort to have a quality controlled environment (temperature, humidity, dust, etc.).

I'm also having the wheels and calipers ceramic coated because I want help keeping them looking spiffy and brakes can be dirty, dusty things.

[deviation01]

Can you imagine if an edge on PPF starts pealing and accumulating dust. Would drive me insane More so than a rock chip.

[HeartbreakRidge]

Originally Posted by deviation01

Can you imagine if an edge on PPF starts pealing and accumulating dust. Would drive me insane More so than a rock chip.

I agree, that would drive me nuts, but that's never happened in my two PPF vehicles so far. Now, I do have to attend to edges when I wax to avoid extra visible lines, but that's different.

[lfdal54]

One of my cars had the front edge of the hood start to lift where they curved it under the lip. Replaced under their installation warranty, no charge. I've had 5 cars done with PPF and zero regrets.

I've also had my last two BMWs ceramic coated, and really looks great and makes my life easier.

[Neogen]

There is a reason why it is called "Paint Protection Film" and not "Paint Perfection Film". Not easy to take a 2D object and put it on a 3D object to make it look perfect with no lines or seams. A good installer will do their best to wrap every edges as possible.

One big benefits I think is great to have PPF is you don't have to worry about inducing scratches on the car while washing your vehicle. It gives you a piece of mind. Another one is rock chips and RIDS (random isolated deep scratches).

[Oldguysrule]

It also depends on where you drive and how much. My car has ceramic (self applied). Paint looks pristine but I drive like 4-5K miles a year. If you're on interstates a lot you'll get chips from dump trucks and equipment hauling trucks as dirt and rocks fall off. My car is a 2018 so if I get a couple chips, guess I was due. I also keep my ceramic up with McGuires spray on wipe off a couple X a year.

[lfdal54]

FWIW, I mentioned in another post I was driving in Maine last week. Was on a two-lane where traffic was being directed to the far right side of the shoulder. Someone hit a branch and broke it such that it was hanging down. I hit it and thought for sure I'd be buffing scratches out of the A-pillar. Got home and could see where the branch rubbed the A-pillar, and the painted area above the passenger window, as well as the black trim. Took a damp microfiber, wiped it, and then dried it. No marks.

The PPF on the passenger mirror didn't make out as well, there's a small two-inch rub mark in the PPF, but the underlying mirror is undamaged, and that is after all the whole idea of PPF.

So was the ceramic coat and PPF worth it? For me, absolutely.

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by deviation01

Can you imagine if an edge on PPF starts pealing and accumulating dust. Would drive me insane More so than a rock chip.

If a reputable shop has done the work, take it back under warranty. I've had it happen and get fixed at no charge. If your BMW dealer does it should be under the 4/50 warranty.

[Paulueo]

I'm on a budget, so I went with ceramic tint for now. It's made a huge difference in comfort, and my car looks way sleeker too. Maybe I'll spring for PPF on the front end later, but for now, I'm happy with my choice.

[ridetime]

Ceramic coating is a total waste of money in my opinion but plenty of people are willing to bite. Just wash your car with 2 bucket method or at the car wash using touchless hand sprayer then dry with soft microfiber towel. I do this and have zero scratches or swirls. PPF is a little less of a ripoff but I can always tell its there. I just don't think it looks good. I would rather spend the money on having the effected area repainted after several years by a competent body shop and just do touch ups until that time comes.

Ceramic window tint probably not worth it either. People say it can make a difference in the summer heat but so will rolling the windows down for 30 seconds when you first get in.

[IAmSpeed]

Scam on a daily vehicle for me, I never put on those for my daily. As someone mentioned, in most cases, you will end up paying more fixing it years later.

Not a scam on a sport/fun/collectable cars, those cars keep value well and since people don't usually put too much mileages on it, you will spend less time fixing it and the car stay shine.

It's all personal opinion, cheers! I am sure whatever you do with your interest and money will makes you happy 😊

[glennbk]

I have it. but only the front of the car. I drive almost exclusive city (30 to 50mph) and it does work. For high speed, it reduces damage but doesn't completely prevent it. The guy whom performed the wrap has done work for me the last 20 years...so, I got a sizable discount...plus, no charge to wrap the shiney black plastic inside the car.