[authentic-haggis]

am I nuts for not wanting to get PPF?(not because of cost, but because I really don't like having a brand-new car with a clear film over it from day one) am I the only one who feels this way?

[wtwo3]

why don't you want to have a brand new car with clear film over it?

[Ervin87]

PPF film is so good now, you cannot even tell that it is there. The front end on this car is very busy and expensive to repair. Trying to paint match and finding a reputable shop to do it is a whole other problem. Protecting it (including the headlights) is a no brainer.

['Cane]

It’s your car, enjoy it the way you want to. I’ve never had PPF on any of my cars.

[damnitBobby]

Like most people on here, I usually keep my cars 3-5 years tops. I don't think PPF would be worth it for me. If I had a special car that I planned on keeping forever, I would definitely do it.

[androidtopp]

I think it does depend on whether you plan to keep the car, all those type of things. But if it's a long term purchase, a good PPF job (especially if they then ceramic coat on top of it) is all but invisible. I can't tell mine is there unless I feel for where they folded the film around the edges of the panels. No obvious difference in panel texture either (unless you really get up close and look carefully), looking at a PPFed and non-PPFed panel side by side.

Plus not like this is abnormal for these kind of cars, no one is gonna look at the car and think you're crazy for shrink wrapping it.

[G MONEY]

To me it’s all about maintenance. It’s so nice to wash/dry and it looks perfect every time. That alone is worth it for me. Let alone your paint will stay immaculate and you get the chip protection. Always 1 of my first mods. If your not sweating the money, I vote to do it

[Gfit]

Never considered it for any of my cars. I look at it this way. I’ve had maybe 20 new cars over last 25 years so I’ve saved a ton of money. Most I ever had was a few rock chips here and there and never affected the value.

I wash my cars at least every week. Use a spray wax while drying and they look perfect every single time.

[Allerum]

No, your not crazy with ceramic that helps out against the small debris, but if the rock is big enough you will have to get the PPF also redone, then if you Coated the PPF you gotta get that redone. I'd rather repaint the car with a higher paint quality job with someone focused on details vs robots.

[zambarossa]

No thanks, naked is best. Chips give it character ;-).

[mrrm3]

Yes

[Patagus007]

You are mental! Kidding. Everyone has good points.

I never put ppf on any cars but some lightly used vehicles I have purchased had it already, like my current frozen g80. Which is a nice feeling, thinking it’s protected….

I always put my money into ceramic coating. Only keep my cars a few years. Hand wash and detail regularly.

[moonluv810]

It also depends on where you live.

In Colorado, they use mix of chemical and sand during the winter months around the city and worst in the mountains. They don’t sweep the roads and the sand, rocks and gravels stay on the road throughout the year.

I’m willing to bet Denver has the highest windshield replacement per capita in the nation 😂😂😂

I can see the argument of not having PPF for those living in no winter states. While it’s definitely not a must-have mandatory thing to do, PPF is a god send for those of us car freaks having to deal with constant “debris” on the road.

[authentic-haggis]

Originally Posted by moonluv810

It also depends on where you live.

In Colorado, they use mix of chemical and sand during the winter months around the city and worst in the mountains. They don’t sweep the roads and the sand, rocks and gravels stay on the road throughout the year.

I’m willing to bet Denver has the highest windshield replacement per capita in the nation 😂😂😂

I can see the argument of not having PPF for those living in no winter states. While it’s definitely not a must-have mandatory thing to do, PPF is a god send for those of us car freaks having to deal with constant “debris” on the road.

I live in a much warmer climate with little or no snow. However, we do have a lot of bugs here. Cleaning dead bugs off the front bumper is my least favorite thing in the world. (although squashed bugs don't hurt the paint permanently, if cleaned up in an expeditious manner, right?)

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by authentic-haggis

am I nuts for not wanting to get PPF?(not because of cost, but because I really don't like having a brand-new car with a clear film over it from day one) am I the only one who feels this way?

You are not alone. I wouldn’t do it either.

[DO444]

Woo hoo!
Got my first dent in record time, 3 weeks.
Had a nice black mark and a dent while shopping.

Haven’t even gotten ppf yet, gotta go to dentless repair tomorrow.

I’m sure they’ll fix it, and will get ppf later this month. Just a reality of owning a car in a shitty world.

Gotta be zen baby.

Oh well.
Ppf, no ppf.
It’s just a car.
I don’t think you’re crazy. It’s a lot of money. Just depends on how much you care about perfect paint,

[authentic-haggis]

Originally Posted by DO444

I don’t think you’re crazy. It’s a lot of money. Just depends on how much you care about perfect paint,

my bean counter friend said "why not use the $5000 towards something that will improve the appearance of you new Bimmer? big shinny wheels or exhaust?" He does have a point... (by the way, he is an actual bean counter for a defense contractor, so....)

[DO444]

Originally Posted by authentic-haggis

my bean counter friend said "why not use the $5000 towards something that will improve the appearance of you new Bimmer? big shinny wheels or exhaust?" He does have a point... (by the way, he is an actual bean counter for a defense contractor, so....)

A little dent like that one drives me nuts.
Scratches do too.

Ppf won’t stop the dent, but they will the scratches to a point. It’s so easy to scratch a car’s paint.

Is it a worthwhile expense?
No, probably not.

But, it does make me happy so you know to each their own. It’s kinda crazy we spend 7k on plastic to put over our cars, I agree.

But, se la vie.

[luckylingy]

Half my car is PPF'ed; half isn't. The half that has PPF requires a fraction of the maintenance as the half that's ceramic coated with no film. And it's protected the paint from sand pitting and rock chips. Not to mention shoes scuffs along the rocker panel.

On the other hand, the installer did a less-than-perfect job on the hood (stretching the film in places), such that that panel doesn't look as flawless as fresh paint.

I plan on keeping the car 6+ years and want it staying looking as-new. PPF let me do that: if the film shows excessive wear (i.e., rocker panels ahead of the rear wheel well), I can just replace that/those piece(s).

[randomjohn]

I have a question and this thread looks like the perfect place.

I want to PPF, but I don’t want to leave my new M4 to the PPF shop (or whatever it’s called). I know they’re professional and they deal with even more expensive cars, but the idea to let my new M4 sit in some shop for few days drives me nuts.

I’ve even seen a thread here, that somebody’s M4’s interior leathers got messed up really badly with marks and tears, after leaving it to a detailing shop.

How do you all manage with that fear?

[authentic-haggis]

Originally Posted by randomjohn

How do you all manage with that fear?

stop watching re-runs of Ferris Bueller???

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by authentic-haggis

my bean counter friend said "why not use the $5000 towards something that will improve the appearance of you new Bimmer? big shinny wheels or exhaust?" He does have a point... (by the way, he is an actual bean counter for a defense contractor, so....)

A true bean counter would tell you to invest the $5,000 in an index fund.