ED paint protection & PDI

[hoyasaxa]

Can anyone comment on whether during the PDI following a European delivery aftermarket paint protection would be removed?

If so, My understanding is that the only other option is track tape. I am planning a 2500-mile ED trip. It would really suck to have to do all that drive with track tape, but I'm obviously not going to pay for xpel (assuming it's even available there?) only for it to be removed at the port.

Last- anyone have experience with the M break-in service while in Europe? It looks like I'll be in Cologne around the 1200 mile mark.

[CrazyWitness]

Originally Posted by hoyasaxa

Can anyone comment on whether during the PDI following a European delivery aftermarket paint protection would be removed?

If so, My understanding is that the only other option is track tape. I am planning a 2500-mile ED trip. It would really suck to have to do all that drive with track tape, but I'm obviously not going to pay for xpel (assuming it's even available there?) only for it to be removed at the port.

Last- anyone have experience with the M break-in service while in Europe? It looks like I'll be in Cologne around the 1200 mile mark.

I didn't put XPel during my ED did about 1500 miles and didn't have any chips or scratches on car also did M break-in service in Dresden (you have to make an appointment 2 weeks prior)

[KevinM]

I brought TrakkTape over, but I ended up not using it. German roads are so good. Not one chip, but I only drove approximately 700 miles. If you want protection, I think TrackkTape is your best option.

[BavarianFanatic]

There is no PDI on ED cars. They simply are inspected for shipping damage and any open campaigns are addressed, but that's it. I'm not sure what they would do with Trackktape, but something like Xpel I'm sure wouldn't be touched.

Regarding the break-in service, you'll be on the hook to pay out of pocket to have it done. When you return, give the invoice to your selling dealership and they'll submit it for reimbursement. You'll need to schedule the service in advance just like you would with any dealer here stateside. Set aside a half-day in your travel planning.

[INDVDL///M]

Was contemplating film install as well but didn't want to lose the car for that long or drive with traktape and ended up doing nothing.

We put 39xx kms in the car in October 2015 and only a small pebble mark on the windshield.

The roads are much better there that at least here in Canada.

Also having a very meticulous shop locally do my Xpel and all the new car prep I am confident I made the right decision.

Enjoy your ED

[XsltAnalyst]

You don't need xpel or track tape on ED, just keep your distance while following traffic and you'll be fine.

You need to schedule the service yourself ahead of time, preferably in an M certified dealer. Just use the http://www.bmw.de/de/fastlane/bmw-partner.html dealer locator and start making phone calls to set up an appointment.

[BavarianFanatic]

As an aside, when I did my first ED in '12, I covered about 1,200 miles and came home unscathed. During my trip this past April I covered about 1,500 miles and actually had quite a few random chips on the nose/hood. But, I'll add that we did encounter a few "messy" roads during the trip. And then there was the day spent on the 'ring...

That said, I don't think I would have done anything different. I'm pretty good at touching up paint, so I'll fix everything during the winter hibernation.

[BMWjunkie]

I did ED in November and was concerned that the weather might cause additional debris (rocks or gravel) to be on the roads, so I applied TrakkTape right after taking delivery. I do have Individual paint, though, so I wasn't taking chances until I could get Xpel on it! The tape worked out well but it looked crazy ?. People literally stared and pointed at the car everywhere we went. All the crap on the tape just peeled right off; paint was perfect at drop off.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by BMWjunkie

I did ED in November and was concerned that the weather might cause additional debris (rocks or gravel) to be on the roads, so I applied TrakkTape right after taking delivery. I do have Individual paint, though, so I wasn't taking chances until I could get Xpel on it! The tape worked out well but it looked crazy ?. People literally stared and pointed at the car everywhere we went. All the crap on the tape just peeled right off; paint was perfect at drop off.

You did it up right! I did use TrakkTape when I took re-delivery and drove the car from Long Beach to Tucson. The car survived the journey (and now Xpel'd, of course) but my job was amateur compared to yours! I didn't find it particularly easy to apply, but it was my first time using it.

[BMWjunkie]

Originally Posted by KevinM

You did it up right! I did use TrakkTape when I took re-delivery and drove the car from Long Beach to Tucson. The car survived the journey (and now Xpel'd, of course) but my job was amateur compared to yours! I didn't find it particularly easy to apply, but it was my first time using it.

That pic was from right before we ripped the tape off and washed the car. Many pieces were shredded and peeling off from where we didn't apply it very well and exposed it to high cruising speeds on the autobahn My brother-in-law in the previous pic there did the bulk of the hard parts on the bumper - it took an hour with two of us! Probably don't need that much coverage but I had a lot of TrakkTape to use up

Here's one more pic from my first fill-up, so about 250+ miles on tape job. Make sure you take something to cut the tape!

[WadeM]

Bring some road warrior plus with you. It also works great for track days: http://www.roadwarriorplus.com/Road-...ze-p/10014.htm

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by WadeM

Bring some road warrior plus with you. It also works great for track days: http://www.roadwarriorplus.com/Road-...ze-p/10014.htm

Interesting, I've not heard about this product. I did consider the 3M spray on paint protection for the ED trip, but it seemed a bit tricky to apply: http://www.autozone.com/landing/page...der-spray-film

[KHATTI]

Originally Posted by BMWjunkie

I did ED in November and was concerned that the weather might cause additional debris (rocks or gravel) to be on the roads, so I applied TrakkTape right after taking delivery. I do have Individual paint, though, so I wasn't taking chances until I could get Xpel on it! The tape worked out well but it looked crazy ?. People literally stared and pointed at the car everywhere we went. All the crap on the tape just peeled right off; paint was perfect at drop off.

Totally off-topic. Swapping out winter wheels/tires?

Snapped this as soon at I got my black 19's reinstalled at the same spot.

[edwinm3]

Just drive it and enjoy it, no tape necessary

[Draper]

Originally Posted by edwinm3

Just drive it and enjoy it, no tape necessary

^ This

Track tape looks awful, and will ruin any photos you hope to take of the car while you're there.

[M4_GTS]

No rock chips on my M4 GTS, just a cracked windshield. That is all.

[absoluteis350]

You can check in my sig, but I used the traktape... Unless you don't have time, there's not much of a down side. We did a 30 minute job on it since we were running late, but it was "good enough" and survived through pretty significant rain driving. Paint was flawless when removed... like glass. But again, I had individual paint and preferred to not take any chances.

As far as road conditions, you can never tell. Since we drove alpine passes, after a couple snow falls, there were definitely rocks and pebbles on the road. However, since the roads were empty, there was no issues with kicked up rocks. But it only takes one to break your heart:P

I was told you CANNOT get xpel over there as customs will freak out and yes, it would be removed.

[Colinv6]

Get some camo tape, apply round the front end...

Await bimmerpost front page of "new M3 spotted testing in Germany, LCI 3.0??"

[vonmayr]

Originally Posted by hoyasaxa

Can anyone comment on whether during the PDI following a European delivery aftermarket paint protection would be removed?

If so, My understanding is that the only other option is track tape. I am planning a 2500-mile ED trip. It would really suck to have to do all that drive with track tape, but I'm obviously not going to pay for xpel (assuming it's even available there?) only for it to be removed at the port.

Last- anyone have experience with the M break-in service while in Europe? It looks like I'll be in Cologne around the 1200 mile mark.

When I did my ED, I went Nekkid for 1,500 miles and was fine on roads in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. The paint was in excellent shape when I dropped it off and I have many lovely pictures of the car in various European locales without Trakktape on it to spoil them.

I scheduled my 1,200 mile service in advance with the dealer in Fussen - they will need the VIN of the car which means that you have to be in production to schedule the service. It was done in about 2 hours and was no fuss no muss. I was reimbursed by BMW when I submitted the receipt to my dealer.

[BimmerBahn]

Originally Posted by absoluteis350

I was told you CANNOT get xpel over there as customs will freak out and yes, it would be removed.

This is not correct.

[absoluteis350]

Originally Posted by BimmerBahn

This is not correct.

Really ? That's what they told me at the delivery. Specifically mentioned it. Otherwise I would have gotten it.

Have people been able to get Xpel and bring it back over here?

[edwinm3]

Originally Posted by BimmerBahn

This is not correct.

I second this