[BRAISKI]

What do you guys think?

As it stands when I get the 335 xi Coupe next year I was thinking of doing the...

Full Hood, front bumper, full fenders and side mirror.


Do you guys thing its worth to do the whole car?


I heard that Venture Shield is better than 3M.

[ocgasman]

i'm also curious. i have my m3 coming next month and got a quote for 2K for custom full hood, fenders, bumpers and side mirrors. I keep going back and forth cuz it's alot of money, but i like the protection. Also, after looking at many vehicles with a clear bra, including full custom fronts, i just think no clear bra looks much better (without rock chips of course) any thoughts?

[JC316]

I went to the deailship a couple of days ago about the same issue. The detailshop strongly suggested against the clear bra. Reasons were that they were running into issues with people having paint discoloration and stuff like that. I'm sure there are many different issues that have to be taken into consideration for something like this to happen but they said that if they were going to suggest anything it would be a thin clear film that goes over the hood. If I was in the states, I would have almost bought the film but here in Korea it's cheaper to get the rock chips corrected later. Still debating though.... Depending on where you live and how often you hit the highway I'd think very hard about it. $2k isn't pocket change!

[jopa489]

I go back and forth on these too. I drive almost 100% highway, and after 15k miles (in 7 months) on my E90, my front bumper shows a little wear. It doesn't look too bad - anyone who doesn't regularly read the detailing forum on an enthusiast forum would never notice. But by the time my lease is up with 50k miles, it would probably need a respray to look really good again.

I keep my distance and avoid anything that kicks up sand or gravel like the plague, but it still happens - especially around here where trucks lay down a thick coat of salt and sand every time it snows.

[chumley]

I think so much depends on how you use the car and where you drive/live. I agree 100% with ocgasman, I've probably seen 100 cars with film - some very expensive cars, and it is completely obvious at closer than 5 feet. I've never seen a car done that didn't have very visible lines, especially on the hood. They never look as good as a clean car without one.

Plus, unless the car is an exotic, as you get over $1k on your way to $2k, you will never get that back for the car in trade unless you plan on abusing it or live in an area with alot debris.

So you pay $1k? $2k? whatever it is, you have to look at this stupid prophylactic on the front of your car for 3-4 years and when you sell//trade your car in, you get a pat on the back from the buyer but not much else. The difference between a flawless front bumper and one with a few chips is zero when you go to sell.

[Ryan323i]

3M bought Ventureshield or the other way around so I think it's the same thing now. Ventureshield is better because it's a tad thicker and get swirl marks as easy. My installer told me that the film is made to allow the paint to breathe and therefore fade at the same rate as the rest of the car. I think it's worth every penny unless your car is a lease or you plan to get rid of it in 2-3 years. I just can't stand a chipped up bumper and headlights.

[ocgasman]

I was leaning towards getting the full custom front, but after much research and deep thought, i've decided that 2K is too much money. Chumley is right, I most likely won't see that investment back when it's time to sell or trade in. BTW, my quote was from Premier (http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/). From what I've read, the best at what they do and they def charge a premium but everyone says they're worth it for their experience and cust service. In fact, I haven't ever heard one single bad thing about them. They were great at demoing the film and answering all my questions. If I change my mind, I would only have them install a full custom front. I just wish it was a little less expensive.

[andrew 330i]

venture film is much better in my opinion - i have been installing kits since the late 90's. i will only use venture on my cars.

see attached pics - on some of these photos i enhanced them to show the lines... (full kit including bumper & lights).

[inmotion]

Originally Posted by ocgasman

I was leaning towards getting the full custom front, but after much research and deep thought, i've decided that 2K is too much money. Chumley is right, I most likely won't see that investment back when it's time to sell or trade in. BTW, my quote was from Premier (http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/). From what I've read, the best at what they do and they def charge a premium but everyone says they're worth it for their experience and cust service. In fact, I haven't ever heard one single bad thing about them. They were great at demoing the film and answering all my questions. If I change my mind, I would only have them install a full custom front. I just wish it was a little less expensive.

Worth every penny. For my SUV, I only had the partial nose covered that costed about $700. For all of my other cars, I get much more because of how how much I drive them and the roads are pretty bad. I also used Premier and they've treated me right from the start. Not only are they the best at what they do (trust me, I've pretty much used them all), but the final touch in service is what keeps them a notch above. They also provide me with a healthy discount since I'm a repeat customer.

[BRAISKI]

I called few places and average is about $1,500 (CAD) for full hood, full bumper and full fenders, headlights and side mirrors which they usually just throw in.

[BRAISKI]

Originally Posted by andrew 330i

venture film is much better in my opinion - i have been installing kits since the late 90's. i will only use venture on my cars.

see attached pics - on some of these photos i enhanced them to show the lines... (full kit including bumper & lights).

Very nice, any reason why you only use Venture Shield?

[wakeboarder109]

I had a 3M kit installed on the entire front end of my Space Grey 335 and don't have any regrets. I didn't know about Venture until after I had my kit but regardless of which brand you choose, imo it's worth it 100%

[andrew 330i]

Originally Posted by BRAISKI

Very nice, any reason why you only use Venture Shield?

~ it tends not to yellow over time - a bit more flexible and forgiving when installing - the film has a better finish overall.

[jblackwell]

Originally Posted by BRAISKI

What do you guys think?

As it stands when I get the 335 xi Coupe next year I was thinking of doing the...

Full Hood, front bumper, full fenders and side mirror.


Do you guys thing its worth to do the whole car?


I heard that Venture Shield is better than 3M.

3M...period. Unless you want a yellow film on our car in 6 months, stay away from Venture.

[jblackwell]

Originally Posted by DarkRyan323

3M bought Ventureshield or the other way around so I think it's the same thing now. Ventureshield is better because it's a tad thicker and get swirl marks as easy. My installer told me that the film is made to allow the paint to breathe and therefore fade at the same rate as the rest of the car. I think it's worth every penny unless your car is a lease or you plan to get rid of it in 2-3 years. I just can't stand a chipped up bumper and headlights.

3M bought Venture for some software and manufacturing equipment. Venture had the ability to make 72" rolls, thus allowing seamless hood on most any car. Maybe not a 72 Monte Carlo...

[andrew 330i]

Originally Posted by jblackwell

3M...period. Unless you want a yellow film on our car in 6 months, stay away from Venture.

~ i disagree and have installed over 200 kits with 3M and venture products.

[jblackwell]

Originally Posted by andrew 330i

~ i disagree and have installed over 200 kits with 3M and venture products.

Fair enough, but 4.5 years down the road, if you still have the car and had a certified installer put 3M clear bra on it, you can get a new one installed under warranty if it yellows or lifts.

[digi19]

I had 3M installed on my previous car and just a few months ago on my new car. Never did I have an issue. No discoloration or fading. Bumper, hood and headlights looked as fresh as the first day I received the car. Absolutely worth the money. I see it to be a more sensible "mod" to do before buying anything else. Why spend so much money to make your car look a certain way while the front end gets beat up.

[333sp]

Here is what I was told from less-than-happy dealership was 3M Scotchgaurd film applied by Proform Protective films in MD...not more than few years old on a 7 series. Bad discoloration and nightmare install.... edges on properly installed on 3M Scotchguard film won't look like that.

My experince tells me that discoloration comes from what film is exposed to as much as anything else (i.e. parked near a aluminum slemter plant it will discolor from pollutants in air), also how well it was waxed and kept clean. Truth be told, all films out there can discolor and if done properly all can be cleaned of that discoloration. It isn't hard to clean but most film installers and detailers would have no clue.

3 Series is a picture of Ventureshield film on white, film edge is just in front of squeegee... new install so not fair comparison... but Venture has lifetime warranty so go figure.