[jd_perspective]

So I have 700 highway miles on my car after 1 week of ownership. (Mostly performance center to Florida miles) I don't tailgate and already have 3 chips in my front clip. 2 in the bumper and 1 on the hood.

So my question is... On a lease... Just to keep her in beautiful condition for 3 years... Should I invest in opticoat for the whole car or the clear bra for the front Clip?

Thoughts??

Oh and if your in central Florida add a recommendation for installer too! 😉

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

So I have 700 highway miles on my car after 1 week of ownership. (Mostly performance center to Florida miles) I don't tailgate and already have 3 chips in my front clip. 2 in the bumper and 1 on the hood.

So my question is... On a lease... Just to keep her in beautiful condition for 3 years... Should I invest in opticoat for the whole car or the clear bra for the front Clip?

Thoughts??

Oh and if your in central Florida add a recommendation for installer too! 😉

I'm in NYC. I got opti coat pro and xpel ultimate. I have a lease as well. I highly recommend both!

[tboooe]

Expel for sure.

Opticoat or something similar is good to prevent light scratches that occur through normal use and washing.

I personally only covered a portion of my hood and front quarter panels, full bumper. On a white car I didnt even notice the seam.

[Chris@codemybimmer]

Opticoat is not going to stop rock chips from happening.
your best bet is a clear bra and/or 3m Venture shield your entire front bumper and hood

[Blubaron79]

Clear bra all the way.

[jd_perspective]

hmm ok I will get some quotes on the 3M or similar clear bras. What did you guys pay?

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

hmm ok I will get some quotes on the 3M or similar clear bras. What did you guys pay?

Depends on how much of the car you get covered. I had the entire front bumper, 1/3 of the hood, mirror caps, a pillars, just above windshield, and the door handle cups. Ran about $900.

I also had the opti coat pro, but as mentioned, that's really for different purposes - it will not prevent rock chips. That's what the clear film is for.

[jd_perspective]

So I got quoted expel film covering the bumper, partial hood and fenders, and the mirrors... Was 850, ended up negotiating to 700 cash. I am waiting until I hear back from someone else but may go with this.

[Steve33]

Xpel ultimate. Full hood, front bumper, mirrors, fenders... I think $1800 installed? It was a few years ago

[AstonKarim]

I did both, but only partial 3m on the front. Recently did the headlights myself ordering the kit from xpel, installation was easy.

[M-Powa!]

Clear bra for sure, opti coat is just a fancy sealant. Make sure you do the whole front clip. I did a partial and some small rocks still touch the upper section.

I would say do the doors too. I was driving my mk6 and some lifted truck blasted by me. My door got four chips!!! Now I will be heading to the dealer for some touch up paint.

[jd_perspective]

ok did the Xpel Clear Film on the full front bumper, partial hood and the mirrors. $700 cash. Looks good and I'm happy to have it. I am less paranoid now while driving...
If anyone needs a recommendation in Central Florida - let me know.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

ok did the Xpel Clear Film on the full front bumper, partial hood and the mirrors. $700 cash. Looks good and I'm happy to have it. I am less paranoid now while driving...
If anyone needs a recommendation in Central Florida - let me know.

Decent deal, and totally worth it. Far less than what you would pay to have all those items repainted were the paint to be damaged.

[Dippydo]

Clear bra and get the full hood to avoid that line. The only rock chip I had was midway up the hood and decided then to get the bra. Dont regret it.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Dippydo

Clear bra and get the full hood to avoid that line. The only rock chip I had was midway up the hood and decided then to get the bra. Dont regret it.

Same here. I just did the front part of the hood and am already thinking of having it redone on the whole thing. I did it to save a few bucks, since I had a few thousand $'s worth of work done all at once, but now that line is bothering me...

[Dippydo]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Same here. I just did the front part of the hood and am already thinking of having it redone on the whole thing. I did it to save a few bucks, since I had a few thousand $'s worth of work done all at once, but now that line is bothering me...

Yah the local Xpel guy wanted $800 for just my hood and $450 for my bumper. I happened to meet the guy that does the dealer cars for Audi and Porsche that works on his own as well and did my bumper, full hood and mirrors for $700 on the side with 3m pro. I couldn't complain. LOL...

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Dippydo

Yah the local Xpel guy wanted $800 for just my hood and $450 for my bumper. I happened to meet the guy that does the dealer cars for Audi and Porsche that works on his own as well and did my bumper, full hood and mirrors for $700 on the side with 3m pro. I couldn't complain. LOL...

I was quoted $650 for the full hood. I'm going to pull the trigger on it. More for the cosmetic aspect, but driving around NYC, it can't hurt to have the whole thing protected.