[iblueit]

Hey all, I'm picking up a Portimao Blue M340i next week and I'm unsure about a full front end PPF.

I'm located in Toronto and the cost is about $2,100 CAD (including taxes). I've done a lot of research and I'm split down the middle as to whether the cost is worth it.

On one hand, I do appreciate a clean front end and I'm sure it'll make washing easier. But on the other hand, it's not an insignificant cost and I'm definitely not going to make that money back when it comes time to sell.

If it helps, I'm probably not going to be keeping this past 4-5 years since this will be my last ICE car before I jump on the EV craze. I'm not super anal about rock chips, although big ones on my current car do hurt me inside a little.

Does anyone have a Portimao Blue without PPF and regret not getting it? Thanks in advance!

[springerdrive]

It's a tough call. I do not have PPF on my 2022 Tanzanite Blue M340xi. The darker colors show chips more because the undercoat is a light color. My car is a chip magnet. Even though I've only had it 5 months, and only drive about 500 miles per month (70% interstate) I've touched up 10-15 small chips. Some of them have been on the sides, so PPF would not have helped unless I did the whole car.

[Chubbiejones]

For me, it all hinges on the length of time you will own the car. If you plan on owning the car a short time, then my answer would be no. If you plan on owning the car for a long duration, then my answer would be yes.

[Emily172013]

I've learned over the years that not following the car in front of you as close will prevent rock chip at much as PPF.

[Chubbiejones]

Originally Posted by Emily172013

I've learned over the years that not following the car in front of you as close will prevent rock chip at much as PPF.

And what fun is that

[springerdrive]

Originally Posted by Emily172013

I've learned over the years that not following the car in front of you as close will prevent rock chip at much as PPF.

That's certainly a wise practice and something I do, but some of the chips I've gotten were just flicked off the road to the sides of the car. If I'd known how fragile the paint is on these cars I would have given more serious consideration to PPF when I first got it.

[chrish.22]

I would do it! I think you would regret not doing it more than you would spending the money to do it.

PPF would protect more than just rock chips. If someone were to scrape your car in the parking lot and it wasn't hard enough to warrant a bumper replacement/repaint, you'd probably be pretty happy you got the ppf and could just replace the film!

[iblueit]

Thanks everyone for your help! I decided to go for the PPF after looking at photos of used Portimao Blue M340is on AutoTrader and realized I probably couldn't live with those chips haha.

[jp0319]

It was probably stupid on my part but I got the front end, side skirts all done and financed with the car. I live in the midwest and it's just peace of mind for me driving during the winter with all the crap splattered up by cars in front of me. I'm going to try and DIY ceramic the rest of the car as well for additional protection.

[ergarza]

It's a personal preference BUT having a color like yours or dravit grey (as in my case) the added value of PPF is the peace of mind of being able to have a car without swirls and with an additional protection. Overall I PPF the whole car and is a lot of money but 2 years after I can tell you that it worth it.

[peelerec]

Imo, after owning my car for 5 months with daily driving (street and highway), I regret not installing PPF right away after taking delivery. The front end is a magnet for rock chips and being in southern california with a tremondous amount of big truck bros flinging shit all over the road, it is a must.

At the 6 month mark, I installed PPF - Front Bumper, Hood, Fender, and Mirrors. I now drive in peace knowing at least I did my part to protect the car, on top of ceramic coating the entire car afterwards.

[Sandpiper]

You could apply PPF yourself if that reduces the cost. They sell pre-cut pieces.

https://www.xpel.com/paint-protectio...3-Series/M340i

EDIT: Buying pre-cut is just as expensive as getting it done by a shop, so not really beneficial to DIY. Other option is to buy PPF from AliExpress which is a lot cheaper.

[dudley@07726]

I'm doing full Xpel front end, hood, mirror, side skirts, front fenders, full rear bumper, and deck spoiler.
They wanted me to ceramic on top of that. I'm spending enough (doing inside window tint & ceramic wheel coating). I passed on that.

[bimmerstar]

after my last car looked peppered after 5 years and 38k miles when i sold it, i got the front bumper, headlights, and full hood done on my m340. ceramic coated the rest of the car.

[LPTyler]

I got the full front on my Dravit grey. Bumper, lights, full hood, front fenders mirrors and door cups. Time will tell if it’s worth it, but I feel much better about it.