[Armen52]

Hey guys,

Any experience with Stongard or similar products? Are they worth it? Cons of installing such a thing?

http://www.stongard.com/sgcontent/default.asp

I have zero experience with this and a lot of doubts and questions.

[Rubberband]

I work for AutoGard USA, a distributor and instaler of StonGard products. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have about paint protection film. If you like, feel free to give me a call at 800.350.4897 and ask for Sam.

[timzerofive]

When will application be available for E90 and will it require professional installation

[Rubberband]

We currently have a pattern for the E90, but it's not listed on the website yet. I can find out the price for you if you're interested.

We do recommend professional installation for our kits.

[timzerofive]

I am interested since when i pick up my car back down in LA, I'll have to drive 400 miles right away up to san francisco. Do you have any authorized dealers down in LA area that can also do the installation?

[Rubberband]

We do, as a matter of fact. Musser's Detailing in Tustin, in Orange County is an excellent installer of our product. 714.925.1117 is the number.

[timzerofive]

Great great, I'm at Irvine down there, so it would be close. Hope he works on weekends, haha. Can you private-message me the pricing if you don't want to disclose it up here.

[Armen52]

Oh wow that's fantastic. See I bought the car from a dealer in LA but I will be moving up to the Seattle area immediately after I pick up. In fact the car might not even make it before I have to be up there. I'm worried about that.

But if I do have to make the drive up to Seattle, I would like to get the Stongard installed in the day or so I have the car before I drive up. And its great that you posted your recommended installer near LA because I was going to call and ask you guys today. My cousin also purchased the kit for his E46 330Ci but wants an installer to put it on.

My question is, if there is any problem with the product, such as uneven paint fade, etc, what is the company's policy? Will they pay to have that fixed? Since I think you guys promise that it will not allow uneven fading or coloration of paint.

Also, is the warranty dependent on where you get it installed? Would I need to take it back to Musser's if there was a problem or if I'm up there will you take care of it? Thanks.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by timzerofive

When will application be available for E90 and will it require professional installation

The parts for BMW's E90 clear protective covering are already available:

Hood & Mirrors Kit: 82110399148 -Pacific BMW's Mail order Price: $121.94

Bumper Kit: 82110399149 -Pacific BMW's Mail order price: $185.38

For those familiar with this product, yep, they went up a shitload! :mad: I'm hoping this is because they cover a greater area this time around.
I paid about half of this total for the equivalent E46 kit last June.

[Armen52]

What is the difference between BMW's clear protective offering and Stongard?

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by Armen52

What is the difference between BMW's clear protective offering and Stongard?

BMW's clear coverings are made by X-Pel. Same stuff pretty much, usually just cut a little differently:

X-Pel 330i Application

[Rubberband]

The main difference between Xpel and StonGard is the number of pieces each uses. StonGard kits will generally be less broken-up than Xpel kits. If you don't mind lots of edges that can collect wax or dirt and be difficult to clean (making the film more visible), Xpel might save you some money.

Take, for example, the E90 bumper. Xpel does the bumper in four main pieces (not including washers or the tow plug). StonGard does it in two. StonGard also covers the mirror in one piece, where Xpel takes two to cover the same area.

StonGard kits will also protect inside the door handles (preventing scratches from fingernails and rings) and the edges of the doors.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by Rubberband

The main difference between Xpel and StonGard is the number of pieces each uses. StonGard kits will generally be less broken-up than Xpel kits. If you don't mind lots of edges that can collect wax or dirt and be difficult to clean (making the film more visible), Xpel might save you some money.

Take, for example, the E90 bumper. Xpel does the bumper in four main pieces (not including washers or the tow plug). StonGard does it in two. StonGard also covers the mirror in one piece, where Xpel takes two to cover the same area.

StonGard kits will also protect inside the door handles (preventing scratches from fingernails and rings) and the edges of the doors.

X-pel will save you a LOT of money over Stongard, and the BMW kit saves you even more if you can get wholesale pricing. The pieces are broken up a little bit more but, that will save you on installation costs because it's easier to get two small pieces attached just right than it is one big one. Unless of course, you do it yourself, but it is still more cumbersome to stretch a larger piece out across a curvy hood.

Regardless of all of this, at the end of the week you still have to get your car washed or wash it yourself. If the pieces are installed & lined up correctly there should be no gaps, and therefore the dirt issue should be minimal. As far as the 'edges' are concerned, any of the manufacturers kits have edges....they have to stop somewhere unless you clear-protect your entire car.

[Rubberband]

I am just doing my math here. The StonGard kit for the E90 is $638.95. The X-Pel kit for the upper part of the car is $259.95, and for the lower, $349.95. That comes to a total of $609.90. That's a difference of $29.05. StonGard also protects all 4 door cups, all door edges, the fender flares, and offers one piece mirror. Also, StonGard offers an enthusiast discount of 15%, bringing their kit to $543.11; $66.79 less than X-Pel. StonGard is less, not more expensive.

If you have 2 pieces butted up against each other, rather than one smooth piece it is just a matter of time before dirt and grime will get between those pieces, no matter how closely they're applied. Apples to apples, the comparison is really quite one sided.

Jer

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by Rubberband

I am just doing my math here. The StonGard kit for the E90 is $638.95. The X-Pel kit for the upper part of the car is $259.95, and for the lower, $349.95. That comes to a total of $609.90. That's a difference of $29.05. StonGard also protects all 4 door cups, all door edges, the fender flares, and offers one piece mirror. Also, StonGard offers an enthusiast discount of 15%, bringing their kit to $543.11; $66.79 less than X-Pel. StonGard is less, not more expensive.

If you have 2 pieces butted up against each other, rather than one smooth piece it is just a matter of time before dirt and grime will get between those pieces, no matter how closely they're applied. Apples to apples, the comparison is really quite one sided.

Jer

Yes, Rubberband is correct.....there are definitely some distinct differences between these two kits. Over the past six years I have had three of the BMW kits (X-Pel) applied to my 323Ci so I have some first hand experience with this product. But I have BMW's version, made by X-Pel, which is definitely less expensive if you look at the accessories brochure on this site. Even less for the E46.

It is nice that Stongard gives you the extra pieces, but I'm not sure everyone will need all of them. For example, I have door edge guards which help protect the door, why would I put Stongard there? It should also be noted that many times, installers of this product can cut raw sheets of it to cover parts of your car that are not included in the kit (ie -Rocker panels...I've seen this).

But hey, if a Stongard dealer can offer you a great installation price when you purchase his kit, and that's the kit you want, then by all means go for it. I never had any problems with mine other than I was nervous after every two years & wanted to wax the WHOLE car, even though the full BMW E46 kit cost $150 each time.

[RedStripe]

Can someone post a picture of their car with clear body armor on? Thanks.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by RedStripe

Can someone post a picture of their car with clear body armor on? Thanks.

Here....I think this was the first kit I had on my car, in spring of 2001.
It looks less noticeable on lighter colored cars. Mine has the BMW hood and bumper kit on it:

[scottz5]

cheaper to repaint the hood at that price

[Rubberband]

I have been asked about the costs vs. just repainting the hood many times. Remember if you get the hood chipped and repaint it you stand a good chance of the hood being damaged again and again. With the clear film you will be protected everytime something strikes the front of the car and most all of us have some sort of warranty against damage, ours is 2 years.

As a side note Stongard and Autogard will be happy to meet and then beat any kit price on the market today. As the first in the automotive clear film paint protection industry we just want to keep the product(s) out on the road.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by scottz5

cheaper to repaint the hood at that price

Rubberband is right. Your hood or bumper could get damaged easily one or two days after a paint job, especially if you must drive the car soon after because the paint is still soft.
If you can get a good price on the item, with installation that is done right, you wouldn't have to replace it more than once every three or four years, if at all.
And the warranties are even better nowadays as was mentioned.
Only problem is that it seems that the E90 kit is much higher than was the E46 kit.
Other than that, I would say it is still the best protection option out there.

[Socko]

This stuff is new to me - so I apologize up-front for my lack of knowledge in this area.

Approx how much does it cost to have Stongard professionally applied? I assume the $600plus quoted is only for the kits and does not include application?

Also, I've heard Zaino referred to in other threads. If that or other similar products are used on the vehicle would there be lack of consistency in appearance (ie. shine, fade, etc) between the areas protected by Stongard and areas that aren't?

[romeo26]

umm...Rubberband will Stongard and Autogard match the price of the bmw kit??