BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Wash, Wax, Detail, Cosmetic Maintenance & Repairs
 
Mporium BMW
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-05-2008, 05:23 PM   #1
badfish
Major
badfish's Avatar
100
Rep
1,035
Posts

Drives: E92 AW M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 M3  [0.00]
Clear bra

Hoping this can be the official clear bra thread with pictures and prices, since everyone always wants to know the price.

I got 2 quotes today for the same type of protection. I wanted Venture Shield, full front bumper, part of the hood, headlights, and mirrors. These shops are both in SoCal.

Aerotect in La Verne said they had the pattern. Price was $729 installed and they would include the headlights for free.

StickerCity in Sherman Oaks quoted me $590 installed for the same treatment, headlights included. They didn't mention whether or not they had a pattern. I asked about the hood coverage and they said it would be about 18 inches.

Since StickerCity is closer and cheaper, I will go with them. I've been to their facility several times to purchase bulk film. I will update with pictures once my car is taken care of. Should be sometime middle of March.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 05:35 PM   #2
rzm3
Moderator
rzm3's Avatar
670
Rep
4,737
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (18)

well make sure they have the pattern! if they don't have the pattern then make sure they are really good to do bulk film!

the quality of work can vary significantly, so make sure you check them out.

any reason why not xpel?
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 05:36 PM   #3
badfish
Major
badfish's Avatar
100
Rep
1,035
Posts

Drives: E92 AW M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 M3  [0.00]
I've installed clear bra and honestly I don't trust those patterns. If you do it all by hand then you can cut it and customize it to fit perfectly. Some of those kits leave big gaps on the sides depends on how it got laid on the car it might not be even without trimming.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 05:37 PM   #4
rzm3
Moderator
rzm3's Avatar
670
Rep
4,737
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (18)

well the m3 bumper ain't easy to do...
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 05:39 PM   #5
badfish
Major
badfish's Avatar
100
Rep
1,035
Posts

Drives: E92 AW M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 M3  [0.00]
Isn't xpel the same thing as 3M? I have 3M film on a white car and it's already started to yellow. Venture Shield is a superior product but harder to cut if you are trying to do it yourself.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 05:41 PM   #6
rzm3
Moderator
rzm3's Avatar
670
Rep
4,737
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (18)

hum 3m makes the film and xpel make the design.. venture make there own film?
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 05:47 PM   #7
badfish
Major
badfish's Avatar
100
Rep
1,035
Posts

Drives: E92 AW M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
hum 3m makes the film and xpel make the design.. venture make there own film?
I don't know who makes it but I hate my 3M bra. It has yellowed in less than a year and has orange peel. Independent tests confirmed what I'm already seeing.

http://www.ventureshield.com/
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 05:56 PM   #8
rzm3
Moderator
rzm3's Avatar
670
Rep
4,737
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (18)

yeah 3M does yellow... i think if you have a white car you shouldn't get a clear bra. also 3m comes with 4 year warranty, so why don't you just get it replaced?
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 05:58 PM   #9
badfish
Major
badfish's Avatar
100
Rep
1,035
Posts

Drives: E92 AW M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
yeah 3M does yellow... i think if you have a white car you shouldn't get a clear bra. also 3m comes with 4 year warranty, so why don't you just get it replaced?
Because if I get it replaced it will be with Venture Shield and the warranty doesn't cover that. Bottom line is I don't have time to go out there and have this done all over agian.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 06:01 PM   #10
rzm3
Moderator
rzm3's Avatar
670
Rep
4,737
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (18)

k. well i have no experience w/ venture, so good luck. but i did have expereince w/ bulk film and you will really need an experienced installer to make it good. whereas pre-cut ones do not require as much expertise.

after all, each has its advantage, so really up to personal preference.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 06:05 PM   #11
rzm3
Moderator
rzm3's Avatar
670
Rep
4,737
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (18)

here's the bumper pre-cut kit.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 08:05 PM   #12
devo
Colonel
United_States
755
Rep
2,736
Posts

Drives: Bimmers & Porsches
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Atlanta

iTrader: (0)

Bulk film is the way to go. Yes, you do have to find a good installer. Prep and install technique are everything. With bulk film every possible seam is tucked. The headlights and any other removal object are removed and the film is tucked inside. I had my 997tt done by an installer that did this. The end result was fabulous.

I have heard that Venture is an excellent product. It does have less orange peel than the 3M product. Although, my car with 3M looked great. Again, proper installation can minimize orange peel.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 08:37 PM   #13
M2MG17
First Lieutenant
M2MG17's Avatar
Germany
51
Rep
327
Posts

Drives: M4 GTS
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

Dont get precut. it does not cover everything and u see all the edges of the film that show wax and build up dirt.

It is ugly.

Get custom full wrap.
__________________
2016 M4 GTS Sapphire Black
2017 M2 Mineral Gray
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 08:41 PM   #14
bKan
Registered
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: 06' BMW X5 4.4i Gray/Black
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA USA

iTrader: (0)

dealership clear bra.

Has anyone ever got their clear bra done by the dealership?
If so, do you know the price range?
I heard they were pretty good. It looked nice on my friend's AW Z4.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 08:42 PM   #15
inmotion
Lieutenant
inmotion's Avatar
9
Rep
528
Posts

Drives: where do I start?
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Newport Coast, CA

iTrader: (0)

don't use a dealership, they're probably subbing the work out to the lowest bidder.
__________________
E60 M5 Silverstone, Balloon White Gallardo Spider, Rosso Corsa F430, Audi CG Q7 Sportline, IS R8 before and DG R8 now, Basalt Black Carrera GT, SG M3 DCT, Orange GT3RS, IS CLK63 Black Series

On order: 2010 R8 V10
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 09:18 PM   #16
PortoM3
M3lover
Germany
27
Rep
485
Posts

Drives: SSII M3
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Wiesbaden, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bKan View Post
Has anyone ever got their clear bra done by the dealership?
If so, do you know the price range?
I heard they were pretty good. It looked nice on my friend's AW Z4.
I am getting mine done by the dealership in Seattle. I am getting the hood, mirros, and edges of the doors for about 450 dollars (plus tax). I am not sure how much they will charge me for the bumper and the headlights.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 09:20 PM   #17
M2MG17
First Lieutenant
M2MG17's Avatar
Germany
51
Rep
327
Posts

Drives: M4 GTS
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

If you are picky you will probably not be happy with the final results. I have seen lots of clear film installs and it is very very hard to do well. There are so many dealers who do it but a handful that will do it perfect.

I would request that you ask for your money back if you are not happy with the install.
__________________
2016 M4 GTS Sapphire Black
2017 M2 Mineral Gray
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2008, 09:26 PM   #18
PortoM3
M3lover
Germany
27
Rep
485
Posts

Drives: SSII M3
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Wiesbaden, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chasem3 View Post
If you are picky you will probably not be happy with the final results. I have seen lots of clear film installs and it is very very hard to do well. There are so many dealers who do it but a handful that will do it perfect.

I would request that you ask for your money back if you are not happy with the install.

Thanks for the tip. I will do that.
Appreciate 0
      03-06-2008, 03:23 PM   #19
sayemthree
Major General
sayemthree's Avatar
594
Rep
5,448
Posts

Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: usa so cal , AZ

iTrader: (0)

call Bain at Envisage - he is one of the best (better than Aeroshield at Bracket airport but also charges more) - he uses Venture film which is the newest best fil out. he is at 310-613-3978

personally I would rather see some edges of the film than rock chips on my new car. It already saved my wifes fron bumber from a major hit from road debris on the freeway.

as far as looks, the film show much more on white or silver. on black or dark met blue it hardly shows.

I think I will wrap the entire hood on my new M3.
__________________
Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
Appreciate 0
      03-06-2008, 03:26 PM   #20
eclipsisNA
Colonel
United_States
348
Rep
2,937
Posts

Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Beverly Hills, CA

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2014 BMW 428i  [7.76]
Premier is your only choice. They're the best clear bra installers in the United States.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ight=clear+bra
Appreciate 0
      03-06-2008, 08:12 PM   #21
inmotion
Lieutenant
inmotion's Avatar
9
Rep
528
Posts

Drives: where do I start?
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Newport Coast, CA

iTrader: (0)

i would not recommend using aerotech as well. This name stands out to me because one of my team supervisor had his BMW done and they cut the paint with their razors. He was not happy at all.
__________________
E60 M5 Silverstone, Balloon White Gallardo Spider, Rosso Corsa F430, Audi CG Q7 Sportline, IS R8 before and DG R8 now, Basalt Black Carrera GT, SG M3 DCT, Orange GT3RS, IS CLK63 Black Series

On order: 2010 R8 V10
Appreciate 0
      03-06-2008, 09:08 PM   #22
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2067
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Clear bra

I don't quite get the clear bra thing, personally. I've got 58k on my '01, and maybe a couple extremely small chips on the hood, and some very mild rash on the lower front fascia. Doesn't seem worth the expense to me. Are conditions back East or other places worse enought to make it justifiable? It's still not bulletproof, obviously.
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:08 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST