I always wrap the front end of a car once I have taken delivery. In fact, I go straight from the dealership to the detailers, and then to a friend who owns a tint/film shop.

With old e46 M3, I did the standard 12-16" up the bonnet film wrap with a tiny extension to the fenders on both sides. After 70,000kms with a fair bit of highway driving and winter driving (sand, small pebbles), I had chips in wierd places, including the A pillars, the bonnet above the existing film, the side front fenders.

When I picked up my e92 M3 last year, I had the car waxed by Eric of Eclipsis on e90post and it looked amazing. I was intent on avoiding as many chips as I possibly could. What we did was have the following wrapped:

-the entire front bumper
-the entire hood
-the entire driver and passenger front fenders
-both mirror housings
-a 12" strip above the windshield
-the headlights
-both passenger/drivers rocker panels
-a patch behind both rear wheels that extends all the way back for the lateral edge of the car

It has only been 14,000KM for me so far, but the car is flawless. Not a single mark that I can see on the car. Others on the M3 forum have complained of staining with bugs, but I have never experienced that problem. Everything washes off for me.

I have done this treatment to another car (MB GL350), and am having the same thing done to the X5 35d we picked up yesterday.

Does it cost more than just doing the hood and mirrors...yes. But when you come out completely unscathed from the winter and your paint looks flawless, it is worth every bit.

As well, never ever take your car to an automatic car wash, whether with spinning brushers or a touchless automatic. The issue of scratching your clear coat has been covered, but the film can be lacerated by the force of really strong and pointed water jets. I had the latter happen with the aforementioned GL350 when we got lazy one day.

Hope this helps!