05-23-2014, 06:18 AM | #1 |
Private First Class
28
Rep 109
Posts |
Clear Bra Question
Wondering if I should get one of the clear bra protectors put on when the car arrives? My situation is that the car will mostly be a "Garage Queen". It'll get driven less than 5k per yr. and only on sunny days, and very seldom at night. I can see just fine, just have a phobia about driving nice cars in the dark.
Would doing the full hood, front panels, front bumper, mirrors, rear bumper be worth the expense for a car that's not going to be driven often? If I decide to get the protector its going to be one of the self healing varieties which will be even more expensive. I know some will say why pay 80k for a car and quibble over a few more grand for a paint protector. I've got to draw the line somewhere. |
05-23-2014, 06:45 AM | #2 |
Colonel
1586
Rep 2,148
Posts |
It seems you'll be treating your M4 much like I treated my E92 M3 and now my 911. The car only gets driven under the best of conditions. If you are on the highway, you'll be very aware to avoid riding behind trucks for extended periods of time. You won't be out in the salt laden roads in the winter (not a problem for me). If that is the case, I wouldn't want a clear bra on my car. Despite the unbelieveable quality of the new films like Xpel, I can still see it. In my opinion, I would rather have a tiny chip or two than having the film on my car. My opinion would probably be different if I had any chance of stay satifyed with a car long enough for a protective film to matter. If you intend to keep the car for 5+yrs, it may be worth it.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 06:51 AM | #3 |
Captain
112
Rep 969
Posts |
I'm getting it. But I'm gonna keep it for 6 years & it's gonna be driven throughout the entire year including northeast ohio winters so it's a no brainer for me.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 07:11 AM | #4 |
Lieutenant
73
Rep 495
Posts |
I drive less than 5k per year. I am getting it because you know that its going to get a chip if you don't. I would rather have the protection than look at that chip every time i look at my car.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 08:01 AM | #5 |
Captain
409
Rep 977
Posts |
I am getting it since I usually keep cars 5 yrs+.. and anyway, the M3/4 has convenient bodywork gaps so I am just going to wrap around those, and not put it in places where there is no fender gap (ie- sides behind headlights).. but I do plan on doing the nose/front up to the upper fender gap.
You can't see the film if you wrap only to the body panel gaps. If you can, then you are clearly doing something wrong with your detailing. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 03:22 PM | #8 | |
Advocatus Douchebagus. Sex Marxist.
2415
Rep 3,415
Posts
Drives: Lucy.
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Canada
|
Quote:
Try living in a place with snow and ice where they gravel the roads regularly in the winter. The damage that does to a car is horrendous. |
|
Appreciate
1
|
05-23-2014, 03:24 PM | #9 | ||
Colonel
552
Rep 2,633
Posts |
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 03:32 PM | #10 |
First Lieutenant
132
Rep 370
Posts |
I love ClearBra or whatever they are calling it today. Had it on my e46 since 2004 (just sold it 2 mos ago) and it really protected it well.
You pay 80K and even though it is only 5k miles statistically your going to have damaging rock chips and bugs unless you drive a t least 200 feet behind every car. Plus bugs (very common where you and I live) can stain a light colored car's paint if you don't notice it in time. Getting it on my M4 in August. I plan on doing the entire front bumper, rear bumper, half the hood, headlights and side mirrors. Will cost less than $700. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 03:40 PM | #11 |
Advocatus Douchebagus. Sex Marxist.
2415
Rep 3,415
Posts
Drives: Lucy.
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Canada
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 03:44 PM | #12 | |
Colonel
552
Rep 2,633
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 03:44 PM | #13 |
Commander-In-Chief
2122
Rep 8,923
Posts
Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
|
Clear bra
Agree. Depends somewhat on you local driving conditions, but you can get the front valance repainted a couple times for the price of CB. Mine is 6+ years old w/ 55k and only has a few small chips.
__________________
Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450 |
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 03:58 PM | #14 |
Advocatus Douchebagus. Sex Marxist.
2415
Rep 3,415
Posts
Drives: Lucy.
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Canada
|
No shizzle. It has been ridiculous. They still haven't cleaned the gravel from most of the streets in the City. And some places/provinces are worse than others - where I grew up they used a fine sand, which was ok. In Alberta, they use small rocks. Windshields and cars get beaten to hell. Good thing if you are in the windshield or autobody paint business though!
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 03:59 PM | #15 | |
Colonel
749
Rep 2,108
Posts |
Quote:
What protection do you need from a clear bra installed on your rear bumper?
__________________
2015 BMW F80 M3: Tractive EDC Suspension / Dinan Anti-Roll Bars / GC Camber Plates / KMP Dual Diff Mount / Girodisc Rotors / GT4 Brake Cooling Kit / PTF Flash Tune / Eisenmann Downpipes / CSF Heat Exchanger / BMS Charge Pipes
2007 BMW E92 335i (SOLD): BMS JB4 / Quaife LSD / Riss Racing DPs / Helix Intercooler / BMS Intake / STETT Charge Pipe / Forge DVs |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 04:02 PM | #16 |
Lieutenant
61
Rep 480
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 04:05 PM | #17 | |
Commander-In-Chief
2122
Rep 8,923
Posts
Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
|
Clear bra on rear bumper
Quote:
__________________
Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 04:08 PM | #18 | |
First Lieutenant
132
Rep 370
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 07:47 PM | #19 |
Second Lieutenant
22
Rep 290
Posts |
For me, it basically comes down to how long I plan to keep the car. In the case of the m3, it's gonna be leased for 3 years, so clear bra will not b going on as the car will be going back to BMW after the lease term. Small paint chips are part of normal wear and tear anyways, so no need to worry.
Now, if you're keeping the car for a long time, that's a different story. But I still think you'll come out on top by just repainting the bumper when it get too bad. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2014, 08:12 PM | #21 |
Major
140
Rep 1,242
Posts
Drives: 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida's Emerald Coast
|
Differing thoughts about clear bras abound, but I've never anyone in the flesh that went with a clear bra and then swore them off going forward. Film quality has improved a great deal from twelve years ago when I was won over. Ever car gets the treatment -- No DIY only custom install.
Recently I saw an M3 Individual that had not been clear bra'd from the get go. What a shame. Respraying FTL. YMMV, but I would never buy an M car or anything upscale from that which had been resprayed. OTOH, I would not clear bra a car that was going to get trailer rides from one show to the next, but M cars are meant to be driven; at least that's MHO.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-28-2014, 01:21 PM | #22 |
Banned
11
Rep 269
Posts
Drives: 2013 335is
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Upstate NY
|
Too many nervous Nancies in here. It's a car...it's not going to stay perfect forever. Might as well enjoy your car and drive fast instead of wasting time and effort trying to keep it pristine.
That and there are issues of paint discoloration with clear bra....and the clear bra eventually peels and has to be replaced...and their are wax lines on the borders of the clear bra...and you can see the clear bra. Front bumpers are mostly made of plastic nowadays so people don't need to worry about rust issues or metal exposure. |
Appreciate
1
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|