Xpel install on ED delivery?

[guarnibl]

I didn't really find too much information about this -- but has anyone that's taken delivery of their car for ED had Xpel or some kind of front clear bra installed on delivery? What are my options here? I would prefer not to drive the car until at least the front half of the vehicle is clear bra'd at a minimum, as I'm planning on doing Frozen Japan Red as a custom paint order.

[psuwcc112]

Originally Posted by guarnibl

I didn't really find too much information about this -- but has anyone that's taken delivery of their car for ED had Xpel or some kind of front clear bra installed on delivery? What are my options here? I would prefer not to drive the car until at least the front half of the vehicle is clear bra'd at a minimum, as I'm planning on doing Frozen Japan Red as a custom paint order.

I think most here will tell you to do the clear bra after the car is back to US. If you are as paranoid as I am, just put order some temporary Trakk Tape before you leave for trip. And just put them on some of the high impact area after you take delivery at welt. They are similar to blue tape but much more stealthy.

I don't think clear bra is as popular in Europe as it is in US. So i doubt you have many options there especially with being limited time there. Based on my observation, i have not seen a single car with clear bra when i was in Europe, probably simply their road condition is 10x better than the one we have in US..

Check out my ED page if you are curious what it looks like..

[Mark's M]

Originally Posted by psuwcc112

I think most here will tell you to do the clear bra after the car is back to US. If you are as paranoid as I am, just put order some temporary Trakk Tape before you leave for trip. And just put them on some of the high impact area after you take delivery at welt. They are similar to blue tape but much more stealthy.

I don't think clear bra is as popular in Europe as it is in US. So i doubt you have many options there especially with being limited time there. Based on my observation, i have not seen a single car with clear bra when i was in Europe, probably simply their road condition is 10x better than the one we have in US..

Check out my ED page if you are curious what it looks like..

You hit the nail on the head with European road conditions being well above our garbage conditions (and garbage cars/trucks adding to the mess). When I was there in 2010 I covered 2200 km's with not one stone chip, scratch from flying debris or anything else marring the paint. Got it home and within a couple of months.....rock into the windshield, a super sized stone chip on the hood, etc, etc.

I'm doing another ED in June and all I'm hoping to get accomplished is a quick wax before we all hit the road for our tour. If you can spare an hour or so after your delivery on the Welt floor, they'll let you park in their underground garage where you can do it in peace. Car will already be clean so no need for a wash. FWIW.

[guarnibl]

Hmm... yeah, I'm just fearful given I'm going for a $5,000 matte paint job. I wouldn't be concerned at all if it weren't so challenging to re-spray an area should a rock chip hit it during ED.

I wish BMW could just do it for me

I suppose given the taller stance, the BMW is less likely to get rocks hitting it compared to the Porsche, which seems to be an absolute MAGNET for them.

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by guarnibl

I didn't really find too much information about this -- but has anyone that's taken delivery of their car for ED had Xpel or some kind of front clear bra installed on delivery? What are my options here? I would prefer not to drive the car until at least the front half of the vehicle is clear bra'd at a minimum, as I'm planning on doing Frozen Japan Red as a custom paint order.

Originally Posted by guarnibl

Hmm... yeah, I'm just fearful given I'm going for a $5,000 matte paint job. I wouldn't be concerned at all if it weren't so challenging to re-spray an area should a rock chip hit it during ED.

I wish BMW could just do it for me

I suppose given the taller stance, the BMW is less likely to get rocks hitting it compared to the Porsche, which seems to be an absolute MAGNET for them.

DO NOT CLEAR BRA THE CAR...

I was going to get it done( In Prague) but BMW EU Delivery stated do it at your own risk, but recommended not to. The rule was when it gets inspected by customs, anything that doesn't appear to be standard kit from BMW, will not pass. Probably the reason why they stress to take all the extra goodies out of the car at Welt.

I don't know if CBP would notice it was clear bra'd, or if the VPC would.

But if your worried, just wax the car at Welt. Also, when you turn it into Log N Out, they will take note of any issues. If you have scratches, curb rashed rims.. VPC will fix it and they are an extension of the factory so it will be better than any body shop. I had a rim, and a good scrap on the bumper from a hit an run. I would think they can fix matte paint, without any issues beyond the delay of redelivery.


If your that concerned, just leave the car at Welt. Rent a M from Welt for your trip.

http://www.bmw-welt.com/en/bmw_on_demand/index.html

I agree with the posters above, the roads are much ...much cleaner, well built than here in the states.

[OneRib]

I understand your concern and I agree with DocWeatherington . The VPC is the closest possible thing to factory conditions. Even in shipping damage can occur, so they know how to fix even frozen paints. Do ED, get the car, drive it, have fun, and don't worry about clear bras. One of the biggest perks of ED is all the damage BMW will fix before you pick the car up stateside.

I was worried about this myself until I read of all the damage that BMW fixed no questions asked. That's what zero deductible insurance paid for by a huge corporation gets you.

[guarnibl]

Wow, thank you guys! This makes me feel a lot more comfortable now. That's actually incredible. This means that everything will be PERFECT when I pick up the car (or they'll fix it if it isn't). So that means I can just have it flat bedded directly to my xpel guy when it shows up state side after I accept delivery.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by guarnibl

Wow, thank you guys! This makes me feel a lot more comfortable now. That's actually incredible. This means that everything will be PERFECT when I pick up the car (or they'll fix it if it isn't). So that means I can just have it flat bedded directly to my xpel guy when it shows up state side after I accept delivery.

Yes, all will be perfect.

But really???? Flat bed to installer?

How about just taking back roads and driving there slowly?

Just don't drive your car on the highway and you will be ok.

I would be more worried about flatbed truck driver damaging the car and possibly scraping the bottom of the front bumper than driving it on the road.

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by TTG

Yes, all will be perfect.

But really???? Flat bed to installer?

How about just taking back roads and driving there slowly?

Just don't drive your car on the highway and you will be ok.

I would be more worried about flatbed truck driver damaging the car and possibly scraping the bottom of the front bumper than driving it on the road.

Back roads are bad. Not quite as bad, but still bad. Especially given that to get to my installer, I have to go through an area that's filled with construction vehicles. Oh, and our back roads are like 65 mph (20 over is what everyone does out here) for normal traffic, and half the vehicles are lifted trucks without mud flaps. Tldr; I wouldn't chance it.

My DD (prius) is a good example. Within 2 days of having the car I had 2 chips on the hood, and I never even took it on the highway.

The Porsche, which I've put only 2500 miles in 6 months, has gone through 2 windshields. Though.. typically I get at least a year or a year and a half out of windshields, so that was bad luck I suppose.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by guarnibl

Back roads are bad. Not quite as bad, but still bad. Especially given that to get to my installer, I have to go through an area that's filled with construction vehicles. Oh, and our back roads are like 65 mph (20 over is what everyone does out here) for normal traffic, and half the vehicles are lifted trucks without mud flaps. Tldr; I wouldn't chance it.

My DD (prius) is a good example. Within 2 days of having the car I had 2 chips on the hood, and I never even took it on the highway.

The Porsche, which I've put only 2500 miles in 6 months, has gone through 2 windshields. Though.. typically I get at least a year or a year and a half out of windshields, so that was bad luck I suppose.

Man, I hear you! Here I thought Seattle was bad.

GL with your new car. Also look into Clearplex for your windshield.

[guarnibl]

Thanks I'll check it out... assuming it works with tint -- probably a good idea. I always do 3M Crystalline 40 on the front windshield.

Now to decide how crazy I want to go with my build