PPF for long term ownership- bad things waiting?

[Tall Tom Cruise]

Also depends on your paint. Previous G80 was in Dravit Grey, base color. No PPF. Drove the F out of it and got tons of rock chips, no big deal. Current G82 is PTS Chalk, so I had it PPF'd.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Tall Tom Cruise

Also depends on your paint. Previous G80 was in Dravit Grey, base color. No PPF. Drove the F out of it and got tons of rock chips, no big deal. Current G82 is PTS Chalk, so I had it PPF'd.

Feels like if I’m paying $5,500 for individual paint, spending a couple grand more for at least a full front PPF is a good idea. Bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror caps.

[Tall Tom Cruise]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Feels like if I’m paying $5,500 for individual paint, spending a couple grand more for at least a full front PPF is a good idea. Bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror caps.

Yep. And I would do the carbon roof regardless, especially if you live in TX, CA, FL.

One thing I've never understood is those who get an individual frozen color and then PPF it. Just get the regular color and get a frozen PPF wrap over it, kill 2 birds with one stone.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Tall Tom Cruise

Yep. And I would do the carbon roof regardless, especially if you live in TX, CA, FL.

One thing I've never understood is those who get an individual frozen color and then PPF it. Just get the regular color and get a frozen PPF wrap over it, kill 2 birds with one stone.

I probably will continue my trend on doing the roof, no matter what. That wouldn’t be so expensive if they didn’t have to drop the headliner to do it.

[FrozenGT]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I put PPF on the CF roof of my M8 and will likely do the same on the M4 when it comes in. If that roof peels or gets damaged, it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. So I feel like the protection is worth it.

I’m torn on the paint. I ordered an individual color and I’d like to protect it. I do absolutely plan to drive the car and enjoy it.

I am thinking of doing a full front PPF with bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror caps. But not the entire car.

If the roof is properly protected and does not live outside. You’re just making your detailing rich. Only two reasons for PPF.

Makes it easy to clean the front of your car from bugs, also if is your weekend toy not DD.

Do not buy PPF for a car you drive everyday in traffic or so forth…

Each brand of PPF has its drawbacks also outweighs others. Not all PPF is created the same. Some have better quality some are better with the orange peel. I have 10mm Expal Utilment + best for rocks and bug, not so good for ends. Stek very clear from what I hear.

[philippe0130]

I PPF the whole car because my car is in individual Twilight Purple and I would like to keep the paint looking as pristine as possible. It's a peace of mind that I'm buying, for things like scratching up the car while washing it; zippers scratching the paint when I'm entering or exiting the car; Wife's hand bag running along side of the car; or rock chips while driving down a highway.

With the PPF, I can actually enjoy more the driving experience part than worrying about how not to damage the car. So for me it was worth it. The PPF on the hood already saved my paint twice, so no complain.

[Ankarah]

These cars are not built to be museum pieces to be stored and looked at, they are built to be driven - that's why you are buying an M car and not some electric fridge that drives itself.
So, just drive it and stop obsessing about keeping your car absolutely pristine, like who cares if your car a few rock chips here and there after 10+ years of driving?

And if you are that worried about your paint because of its resale value, trust me man, the cost of applying full body ppf, removing them, and reapplying them every few years, will far outweigh the value you gain from perfectly preserving your paint when you try to sell your car 10+ years down the line.

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

Do not buy PPF for a car you drive everyday in traffic or so forth…

Why?

I drive my 2021 M4, all the time, and through the winter, 110,000 miles and counting.

I did front PPF, and wish I had done the whole car. Sure, I've replaced my hood/bumper PPF twice, but I do rallies and track time, so my PPF gets beaten up. Each time they take it off, the paint underneath is pristine...looks new. Hec, with the PPF on the car, with a few nicks and such, people still think my car is a 2025 model. "100,000+ miles!!?? No way!"

PPF makes it much easier to care for your paint, and it protects your paint...so if you're at all anal about the appearance of your car, and you plan to drive it (not just drive it to car meets and such), then get the PPF (at least the full front). And if you plan on keeping the car (long term ownership), PPF is a no-brainer for me.

A lease? I'd still get it, but I understand why many wouldn't.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Ankarah

These cars are not built to be museum pieces to be stored and looked at, they are built to be driven - that's why you are buying an M car and not some electric fridge that drives itself.
So, just drive it and stop obsessing about keeping your car absolutely pristine, like who cares if your car a few rock chips here and there after 10+ years of driving?

And if you are that worried about your paint because of its resale value, trust me man, the cost of applying full body ppf, removing them, and reapplying them every few years, will far outweigh the value you gain from perfectly preserving your paint when you try to sell your car 10+ years down the line.

Why would someone need PPF for a museum piece? I hear you but your point is kind of backwards. People buy protection for things they expect to take some abuse. What’s wrong with buying a nice car and protecting the paint?

Everyone acts like these topics are controversial and both sides will say the other is wrong. But usually it’s the people that chose the PPF just saying why they did it and then the people that didn’t telling them they’re dumb.

[FrozenGT]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

Why?

I drive my 2021 M4, all the time, and through the winter, 110,000 miles and counting.

I did front PPF, and wish I had done the whole car. Sure, I've replaced my hood/bumper PPF twice, but I do rallies and track time, so my PPF gets beaten up. Each time they take it off, the paint underneath is pristine...looks new. Hec, with the PPF on the car, with a few nicks and such, people still think my car is a 2025 model. "100,000+ miles!!?? No way!"

PPF makes it much easier to care for your paint, and it protects your paint...so if you're at all anal about the appearance of your car, and you plan to drive it (not just drive it to car meets and such), then get the PPF (at least the full front). And if you plan on keeping the car (long term ownership), PPF is a no-brainer for me.

A lease? I'd still get it, but I understand why many wouldn't.

Reasonings because remember PPF will ding they will scratch that. It will show imperfections worse than paint. That’s why it’s not recommended for daily drive the office.

[silvermanor]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

If the roof is properly protected and does not live outside. You’re just making your detailing rich. Only two reasons for PPF.

Makes it easy to clean the front of your car from bugs, also if is your weekend toy not DD.

Do not buy PPF for a car you drive everyday in traffic or so forth…

Each brand of PPF has its drawbacks also outweighs others. Not all PPF is created the same. Some have better quality some are better with the orange peel. I have 10mm Expal Utilment + best for rocks and bug, not so good for ends. Stek very clear from what I hear.

Yes STEK has way less orange peel than XPEL. All the installers I know hate XPEL.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

Makes it easy to clean the front of your car from bugs, also if is your weekend toy not DD.

Do not buy PPF for a car you drive everyday in traffic or so forth… .

Struggling to understand the logic behind this. I'm in the opposite camp. I had a 911 that I put 10k miles on in 3 years. Didn't have PPF. Drove it on weekends, etc. I think I got one chip.

MY DD in Houston...had full front PPF. Saved the car multiple times. Including a lampshade that fell off the front of a truck in front of me and a tire "gator". Simply polished the scratches right off the PPF.

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

Reasonings because remember PPF will ding they will scratch that. It will show imperfections worse than paint. That’s why it’s not recommended for daily drive the office.

You must have had experiences with some crappy PPF. Mine heals itself of minor scratches including washing induced swirls. I had this type of PPF on another car I bought used. It was trashed. Swirled, hazed, etc. But having had PPF on the front end of our DD's since 2018, it's the best looking part of the car. Which sees the most impacts. XPel has been durable but don't care for the orange peel. The Elite Shield Premium SH (Self Healing) on my G80 has been fantastic.

[Tall Tom Cruise]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

If the roof is properly protected and does not live outside. You’re just making your detailing rich. Only two reasons for PPF.

Makes it easy to clean the front of your car from bugs, also if is your weekend toy not DD.

Do not buy PPF for a car you drive everyday in traffic or so forth…

Each brand of PPF has its drawbacks also outweighs others. Not all PPF is created the same. Some have better quality some are better with the orange peel. I have 10mm Expal Utilment + best for rocks and bug, not so good for ends. Stek very clear from what I hear.

Do not buy PPF for a car you drive everyday in traffic or so forth…

Genuinely curious, are you slow? Like mentally

If you live in a high-UV state, FL, TX, CA, it's a must to PPF the roof. Seen tons of pics of yellow CF roofs after years of being under the sun. PPF prevents this.

Also, contrary to what this moron says, it is VERY recommended to PPF your daily driver. You are missing the entire point of PPF... It's really not that hard to understand bud. Do I need to explain it to you like a 5-year old again?

Daily drivers are subject to more damage than garage queens. PPF protects paint from daily damage, rock chips, door dings, minor accidents, etc. LOTS of people have gotten hit in parking lots, or while just out and about in traffic -- and with PPF all they need to do is remove that panel's PPF and have new film put on that area. That is WAY easier to deal with and less expensive than going to a body shop.

[Tall Tom Cruise]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Struggling to understand the logic behind this.

There's not much logic, if any, in 99% of his posts.

[1xquisit]

I’m in this predicament too. I am awaiting delivery on the new whip in IOMG color, she will be semi daily, so it will get driven on highways and surface roads in Arizona (capital of rocks and chips). My only problem is that I switch cars every 3/4 years. I don’t see myself keeping this G80 I have coming for more than 3-4 years MAX.

BUT I am somewhat anal and OCD about my vehicles so I’d like it to stay as pristine as possible. At the same time, if I PPF the whole vehicle, I’m basically dropping $7-8k for the next guy to have an impeccable vehicle come 2029. I value the car looking sexy and shiny but I know I’m selling this vehicle come few years from now. Idk what to do.

Alternatively I raw dog it like I did with my ZL1 and watch the blemishes accumulate as I rack up miles and miles on the road and track.

Cost isn’t an issue, value is though.

[kjx]

Originally Posted by Tall Tom Cruise

There's not much logic, if any, in 99% of his posts.

A couple of people here live in opposite land. And our friend who the forum consistently asks me if he's a spammer is one.

Daily drivers are the ones that need PPF the most. Followed closely by cars people intend to keep more than 5 years and baby for a long, long time.

The only people who may genuinely want to avoid PPF are the 3-year "disposable-car" leasers or those truly stretched to the brink on budget (then it becomes financially questionable why they're buying a G8X in the first place).

[Lupeskew]

Originally Posted by 1xquisit

I’m in this predicament too. I am awaiting delivery on the new whip in IOMG color, she will be semi daily, so it will get driven on highways and surface roads in Arizona (capital of rocks and chips). My only problem is that I switch cars every 3/4 years. I don’t see myself keeping this G80 I have coming for more than 3-4 years MAX.

BUT I am somewhat anal and OCD about my vehicles so I’d like it to stay as pristine as possible. At the same time, if I PPF the whole vehicle, I’m basically dropping $7-8k for the next guy to have an impeccable vehicle come 2029. I value the car looking sexy and shiny but I know I’m selling this vehicle come few years from now. Idk what to do.

Alternatively I raw dog it like I did with my ZL1 and watch the blemishes accumulate as I rack up miles and miles on the road and track.

Cost isn’t an issue, value is though.

If you are OCD I whole heartly would encourage you to get PPF My blood pressure is much more controlled since I did

[Crester]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

Do not buy PPF for a car you drive everyday in traffic or so forth…

This literally make no sense... LOL A car you drive regularly is one that especially should be PPF'd to protect it from things that can happen while driving. You say "the PPF will get damaged"... but uhhh... that's the whole point... the PPF gets damaged instead of your paint! This way your car's paint will continue to look good... and you can just pull off the old PPF and put on a new later if the original one gets damaged.

[gado5420]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Ceramic doesn’t do squat for impacts. Also modern PPF doesn’t “peel
And break”

Yes, modern ppf will peel and break through overtime. If you are driving 5 to 6k miles a year, this may last longer but someone who dailys and in all seasons, it will break much sooner. I would consider ppf if this was a garage queen or collector car but this is a daily car.

I have 2 shops that I trust that ppf all kinds of supercars. I had a detailed walkthrough of expectations. My biggest issue with ppf is the shops that do it right still tell you to handwash, no automatic washes and no power washer. Why the hell would I put ppf on a car and still worry about it not handling automatic washes which tells me it won't handle all season driving very long. For me, this was a deal breaker and a total waste of money.

[Lupeskew]

Oh...it's gonna get good after the previous reply.

[kjx]

Originally Posted by gado5420

Yes, modern ppf will peel and break through overtime. If you are driving 5 to 6k miles a year, this may last longer but someone who dailys and in all seasons, it will break much sooner.

Really?? I guess nobody told the full-body PPF on my M4 that I dailied for 4 years and continue to daily (now at 28K miles, in all weather conditions). Go check me out drifting in the snow -- https://www.instagram.com/enzianblue_g82/

Or on my wife's X5 which has 32K miles and coming up on 5 years.

Well, I'm glad Stek PPF has a 10-year guarantee on all of this. I can't wait to show up at the Black Label Stek installer that did the work and say, look what happened, gado5420 told me this would happen and I didn't listen.

Both cars look new. Unlike my last BMW that I had to cheap out getting PPF on, and came to regret it every day. The front bumper, LED headlights and hood looked like the surface of the moon from micro-pitting. In a stroke of luck, someone bumped into the front bumper of that car which required replacement and paint - guess what I did exactly 30 days after paint cured. Yes, got the PPF I was too cheap to get on day 1.

Took that lesson and all cars after that went directly to the PPF shop.

[lexcruiser]

Sample size of me - lol - but I think I mentioned before.. my 10yr old S4 was PPF’ed on delivery.

It’s my daily, was not garaged for ~8 of those yrs of ownership. Has been through super storm Sandy and a whole host of other weather maladies parked outside, including (gasp!) automatic drive thru car washes.

I love that car. And to this day people still comment on how it still looks new.

PPF has not cracked, peeled, nor discolored.
My A4 before this I also owned for close to 10yrs. No PPF and the front bumper, hood, fenders were beat when I finally sold it.

Everyone’s use case and tolerance is different but I will always PPF my rides.

Also, it’s not that serious. Some people are getting bent on this thread - if you PPF, cool. If you don’t, also cool. There’s no need to impress on why you think you’re right and someone else is wrong. 🤙🤙🤙