Here’s Why I Didn’t PPF my BMW G80 M3…

[@irshadali-uq3yj]

I work in the automotive collision industry, here’s my take on ppf, it’s very expensive, does more damage to the car than saving the paint, depending on the color, ppf can stain your paint after a while, also depending on the installer, sometimes they razor blade and cut up your original paint! also if the damage goes past the ppf and the paint, then you will have to pay to remove the ppf then repaint the damage. Ceramic coating is the way to go

[@sundeepm3]

Good to know! My thoughts exactly

[@dutchman9775]

Ceramic Coating doesn’t protect the car though, it just makes it easier to clean.

[@sundeepm3]

Exactly, easier to clean and with a polish will give it more of a shine

[@dutchman9775]

@ yeah, I’m debating on doing PPF on my next G80 (someone wicked into my first one). My primary goal is to create that Satin look. Not sure yet, but there are some good products out there that really take care of the car without any negative impact,

[@sundeepm3]

@@dutchman9775 Nice yeah stealth PPF is good for changing up the color while protecting the car at least

[@dutchman9775]

@ for sure! There are benefits and drawbacks for anything we do. I had a number of rock chips on my first G80 and wanted to avoid it this time. Plus I wanted to do a darn look on my white paint this time.

[@a124as]

people don't realize ppl doesn't last forever. you have to keep doing it after so many years.

[@sundeepm3]

For sure, it’s not a lifetime thing but does hold for a reasonable amount of timr

[@fastbikes67]

I had PPF 7 years. No problem.

[@ilgatto7327]

Where I live in Alberta, Canada I got the ppf on my 23 G80. What you about the cost and lack of return is true but where I live ppf is a must. We have lots of pea gravel on our roads and without the the ppf the front of the car and hood will be full of paint chips. It looks awful. I have already had to replace my windshield once because of the pea gravel. The value I get from the ppf is that my car will always look great while so many other cars here look all beat up.

[@sundeepm3]

Yeah that makes sense if the road conditions in a given area aren’t the best it’s worth it to have the front clip area done

[@OGgrinder]

Best interior

[@sundeepm3]

Thanks, yeah it stands out!

[@rahul--12]

also decided not to do PPF on my G80 -- too expensive, not sure about installers, and not wanting to do only part of the car. But I got the ceramic coating

[@sundeepm3]

Agree! Yeah ceramic coating is useful I hear

[@MasterMind25-]

How much was the ceramic coating on your g80 brodie?

[@rahul--12]

@@MasterMind25- I got it done from the dealer when I bought the car brand new -- C$1500

[@clauspeterdam9668]

New Car…. PPF is a no brainer.

[@sundeepm3]

Definitely more worth it on a new car, especially if you’re planning on keeping it for a while

[@clauspeterdam9668]

@ even if it just keep it for 2-3 years. Those paint chips on the front of a 100k car to save 2k is inexcusable

[@sundeepm3]

True, for sure adds that layer of protection for peace of mind

[@hpickettz34]

If you're not gonna keep it long term it's not.

[@socalbadger1]

@@clauspeterdam9668wouldn’t it cost just as much to get bumper repainted if needed? Alternating, the nominal loss of resale will still cost less than 2k…. Just another perspective. Nearly 10% of new car value for full ppf is not worth it in my opinion. Even if it’s warranty covered, it probably doesn’t cover labor reinstall… Now for a Porsche 911, it’s totally worth spending 5-10k on full ppf…

[@JayKay911]

I'm getting my G80 next week and considering PPF, but the cost is quite high and really doesn't add much value to the car. Would ceramic coating applied directly on the paint help? I especially want to have the car clean and if there will be chips and damages in future, i think it would be easier to just repaint it and maybe even cheaper than PPF?

[@sundeepm3]

If it’s a new G80, I would consider doing PPF just for the front bumper for some peace of mind and would be inexpensive. Repainting can definitely be done if it’s really bad in the future, but then wouldn’t be original paint. Ceramic coating helps keep the car clean and easier to wash, but doesn’t help really in terms of scratches

[@JayKay911]

@ Thanks for your view on this. I'll do it then for the full car or at least for the front. Having intact original paint will be better and repainting would take additional time without the car. I'd imagine PPF can be just taken down quite fast.

[@sundeepm3]

Anytime! Yes, if you want the car looking perfect and have the budget PPF is worth it over repainting down the road. PPF can also be heated and removed quickly

[@Jack0fAllTrades]

I know you did 35% on the windows but what brand of tint is that?

[@sundeepm3]

Johnson’s window film

[@adambarnett4509]

Im a perfectionist. Need a car looking 8/10 at all time. Minimum swirls. Ppf it all or not at all. Will keep our full ppf m4 for 5 years min. If its used, if you switch cars every 2 or 3 years...agree waste of money.

[@sundeepm3]

Agree, yeah 5 years minimum and having the car look near perfect is worth it. Bit someone like myself switching cars less than 2-3 years not worth it for me

[@fastbikes67]

One more comment. Dont wash PPF’d car in very cold weather. Leave it dirty until temps warm up.

[@sundeepm3]

Good to know, but not always possible as many people live in cold climates

[@OBELISK3210]

Does ppf add value to your car? No. Does it save your paint? Yes. Example if your wheels are scuffed & you try sell it to anyone. Does it lower the value of your car? Yes.,if your cars layered in rock chips from years of driving it’s worth it if you have expendable money. Where I live, it’s needed badly just from how much salt/sand grit is used on the roads, absolutely rips into your paint. Same for ceramic coating the wheels.

[@sundeepm3]

Yeah it totally depends where you live and if the cost is worth it in the end to you. Private sale buyers are definitely more concerned about the condition, while dealerships don’t mind as much in my experience.

[@OBELISK3210]

@ correct, and a beautiful car you have sir 🫡

[@sundeepm3]

Thank you!

[@G90M5Kel]

PPF is worth it if you track the car. It’s cheaper to fix rock chips than to PPF your car. It’s a rip off cash grab.

[@sundeepm3]

Yeah tracking is another story, but minor rock chips isn’t as serious in many instances

[@G90M5Kel]

@ me and my boy both got M3’s around the same time and he wrapped his front end and I didn’t. In 2 years I got a few rock chips that were easily fixed with exact paint match for a fraction of the price of a full front end PPF. Not worth it for some rock chips. It won’t stop a bad accident either so it would have to get painted anyway. It’s a rip off. People that do it the first time usually never ppf their car again. Dumbest shit. Good for tracking only.

[@sundeepm3]

@@G90M5Kel Fully agree with you. Many reasons where it’s not justifiable for most people, given the high costs. As long as you enjoy the car at the end of the day