Clear protective covering, is it worth it, anyone has it?
 

http://accessories.bmwusa.com/ItemVi...&productId=648
If you got it from BMW what did you pay for install and is it possible to get it on Performance center delivery when you pick up the car.

Yes, it is worth it, if you plan on keeping the car for a while. I had it on a different car and it did it's job.

I was quoted $450/installed for both hood and bumpers through my local tint guy. Not sure if I'll do it this time since I'm just leasing my E70.

I have it on both my M3's..stongard on one and expel on the other. I think they are both mfg'd by 3M. I recommend clearshield. I plan on putting clearshield on my 07X5 as soon as it arrives. Clearshield covers more of the hood and is actually clearer side by side to 3M. I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference in color without seeing them side by side. 3M is more yellow.

$0.02
Jeremy

:thumbup: Where can you buy clearshield and what's the cost for it with installation? Thank you sir!

You can find someone in your area through the 'dealer locator' tab at the top.

http://www.clearshield.com/index.cfm...n/Catalog.Home

It was $425 for my M3 a few months ago. I also had the guy add protection behind each rear wheel and that was an extra $35/side. Installers are usually on thier own and will come to you. Not every installer is the same, so you may want to ask to see some of their previous work. The guy I had did mainly dealers and he fit me in on the side. Generally talking to them about how they install it will give you an idea if their just tossing it on or actually trying to be a perfectionist.

$0.02
Jeremy

i don't see the point of the clear stuff.... to me the thin clear line that's visible on the hood looks worse than a few stone chips that may occur over the years....

not sure how it works but it seems like you'll still need to wash it from time to time... and i'm sure it will wrinkle, peel, or bubble as it gets older..

I also don't think it'll offer the same level of shine either!!

any pics out there??

Well.. I was thinking to put the same (clearshield), but I find out (from my friends and family) they are using (Diamond Gloss) from Ziebart.
http://www.ziebart.com

pics
 

here are some pics on my cars of the clear bras.

please do not have the PDC install it. Have it done by someone who does it for a living. Its not easy to install yourself and it takes some practice to get the stretching and edges correct.

go to xpel.com and put in the zip code of the PDC and there's a vendor called Independent Restorations (Steve is the owner). they did mine after I took delivery down there b/c I didnt want to drive home without it. It'll probably run about $600 depending on how many pieces of the kit you get (I didnt get the headlight protection so thats about $100 cheaper).

I've had the clear bra on my last 3 cars and wouldnt get a new car without one.

True, to a point. Personally, I drive a 60 mile round trip to work. Back in 2000 when I was driving a 95M3, I collected hundreds of chips after only a year...on a cosmos black, the car looked hideous. The line is only noticable at about 6' from the car.

My cars are now white and sterling gray, but I still have them protected. As careful as I try to be, I've had rocks, license plates, pvc pipes, etc coming at me. The protective film takes the brunt of the damage and I'm happy with that. The pvc pipe left a 6" gash in the film, but didn't go through to the paint. I recently recovered my 98M3 and was glad to see it nice and clean underneath (after buffing off adhesive). To me it's worth it, especially considering the alternative.

There are better, more expensive, film options out there. But you'll have to fly someone in to install or hope they have a vendor in your area.

It's definitely worth it. I have had it done twice on my '01 black X5 (I got hit in the front end last year and had it put on again after it was fixed)--it's great stuff. There's nothing worse than having a shiny new car and noticing ugly marks on the front of it.

:iagree: Worth the investment. Go with a good quality film.

I always get the 3M clear bra on every car that I purchase, but the X5 is a lease so I don't really givea ....

Unfortunately the X5 doesn't look good with a grill / bug deflector so this clear bra will have to do. (Bug deflector alone is fugly imo).

So...just getting back to this one...is the one from the dealer any good or is it better to go with the stonguard...expel...or clearshield?

my dealer uses 3m
you need to ask them what they use.

So, are you saying the 3M is the best or not?

Hello- first post here. Anyway, if little stone chips will bother you then yes its worth it. You wash it and even wax it like the car itself but be careful about the edge with wax- you dont want to get build up on it. The best place in the NYC area is Detailing Dynamics- ask for Eddie or Matt

http://www.detailingdynamics.com/

best regards,
Jerry

Can anyone recommend a good place to get this done in the San Fernando Valley - California?

My thought was maybe get the dealer do it - at least when you have issues they can be addressed when you in there for service.

Mineola - just a couple towns from here. Do you happen to know if they do aero kit paint/install? They mention 'car accessories'...

If not, anyone know any reputable body shops in the area that do?

Is that the 3M or the clearsheild, very clean job whoever did it.

I saw a post on this forum of someone who had it and I was totally put off by the clearly visible edge going across the hood/bonnet. It's not for me...

I have purchased a fair number of Meguiar's products that I plan to use on my new X5.

Meguiar's products are phenominal they are by far superior to anything on the market. Just my .02 cents

Meguiars is nice, but IMHO zaino is best....

Zaino's or Zymol is good wax for sure used to use it on my Cobra.

I'm a Meguiars guy myself....paint sealants...and polishes...in fact, I've got a Porter Cable polisher....to make that shine look devine...LOL

I use Meguiars myself and really recommend the exterior trim dressing spray for all the plastic trim. That said I still have a clear bra as no wax I know will stop a stone chip. Dealers seem to use different ones. Standing at the right angle at the right distance with the right about sun yes you can see a line but I like the sandblasted look less. Also they can be removed at a later date.

Anyone know if the protective covering is just available for the headlights???

I don't put any wax or polish that can be purchased at a local Autozone on a $60K-$70K BMW. Mequiars is ok but it's the General Motors of waxes. There are so many concours waxes out there such as P21s, Zaino, Einzett and Soverign that have far better shine and depth (Gurureports.com does testing). Personally, I'll never go back to Mequiars type products knowing what I know now.

one word...."Zaino"

that's the ticket!!

We do car wraps at my work and I cant believe how much they charge for this stuff!!! This stuff costs at most $1.50 sq. ft for material, and install shouldn't cost more than $50 at most. you can probably get the front bumper and hood done for $100+/- installed. You guys should do a group buy for a roll 54"x150 feet which shouldn't cost more than $900-1000 for the roll. Then just look for a local Digital-Signshop or 3m certified installer to install it. On avg, you're looking about $10-13 an hour, just make sure they clean it really well with iso. alcohol to get off all the dirt and wax.

You should let the adhesive cure for about 2 weeks or so before you wax it.

As for the headlights, I don't think you should use this stuff because you will get a haze effect when your HID's shine through. The clear film might melt as well. The only way for your headlights to appear as if there is no protective bra is for there to be a "optically-clear" film of this type. Either way I definitely advise you not to do this over the headlights.

I would also suggest you only use the 3m product which probably comes with a warranty and you'll just be better off when it comes to better protection and easier removal. Other products might rip off your clear coat if not more when you remove it but I am not positive with this particular film, we have problems like that when it comes to vehicle wraps and 3m is the standard, and the best PERIOD.

Another note is I do not think the film is intended for long-term use, I wouln't leave it on for more than 2-3 years ( If it lasts that long ) just so that the adhesive does not rip off my paintjob.

I had it on my Feb '01 X5 until I had to get it replaced on the front end after an accident in Jan '06. It was perfectly fine after 5 years.