SSOTT

[UncleWede]

This is why I didn't even want to go look at the sticker on the X5 the wife wants

I do have to say though, those back tires I was seeing a snowy cabin trip in my future

[Lups]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

This is why I didn't even want to go look at the sticker on the X5 the wife wants

I do have to say though, those back tires I was seeing a snowy cabin trip in my future

Gear box dear. In the snow, you want to know the gear box. Please see all of my audi Q7 rants as a reference.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

$121,000!!!!!????!!!! Who in their right mind pays that????

Yeah, I was going to get an X3M but haven't been able to find the right options at the right price (and dealers aren't much discounting priority 1s) ... then I started looking at the X5s and noticed they just released the 45e in June AND it's still eligible for the $7500 federal tax credit AND an HOV sticker (not that the silicon valley traffic is bad any longer)

So, now I'm looking at deals and, with incentives, I think I can get a $85k X5 for the mid-to-high 60s which seems like a real steal! The 45e still has a ~300hp inline 6 and 110hp e-motor, massaging vented/seats, all the goodies, and would be a real fuel saver ... so I might make the jump to hybrid!

And just last year I was pulling up beside Prii and reving my M4 engine - I'm still gonna do that, but just ironically.

[GrussGott]

Arcades, hey I know you have scoop on PPF - what do you know about tint world? they're offering

Tint World® Clear Bra is an invisible paint protection film that is 8 mm thick and applied to any painted surface

And comes with a 5 year warranty ... is that good? or crap?

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Arcades, hey I know you have scoop on PPF - what do you know about tint world? they're offering

Tint World® Clear Bra is an invisible paint protection film that is 8 mm thick and applied to any painted surface

And comes with a 5 year warranty ... is that good? or crap?

I think that's just Tint World's own clear bra. I generally avoid doing any brand I don't really know of (aka it's generic).

Currently the ones I know in the market that is well known and respected are, Clearguard Nano, Suntek Ultra, Xpel Ultimate Plus, Stek Dynoshield. All are warrantied for 10 years.

Since the Macan GTS is on the way, I been looking around again to get it done on the GTS. The person I tend to use in OC has switched to Stek Dynoshield instead of Suntek Ultra. I asked around, one of them being a fellow BP member that also happens to be a well known detailer in OC (IG is bmw_mg_f82) says very good things about Stek Dynoshield too.

From what I know currently, Clearguard Nano, Suntek Ultra and Stek Dynoshield all have better clarity then Xpel Ultimate Plus, but they are all 10 years warrantied against yellowing and peeling. So, it isn't really a bad choice regardless. Also, most clear bras are already a certain thickness but it's the adhesive that they use that gives it more thickness. Which is the case with Xpel. So, mostly it isn't that the clear bra is thicker, it's just what they use to install that makes it thicker than it actually is. Since companies gives that installer the fluid to install.

Other than that though, when it comes down to it, it matters also who you choose to install your clear bra. Product doesn't matter if your installer is bad or you don't trust them.

P.S. Clarity meaning you can't generally tell the clear bra is on your car unless you go a few inches away from the car or hyper anal like me.
P.P.S. All of my cars since my first BMW has had Suntek Ultra.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Other than that though, when it comes down to it, it matters also who you choose to install your clear bra. Product doesn't matter if your installer is bad or you don't trust them.

Great post, thanks! Yeah, ultimately I'd like it done here in the NorCal, but am having trouble figuring out who's a good installer ...

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Great post, thanks! Yeah, ultimately I'd like it done here in the NorCal, but am having trouble figuring out who's a good installer ...

Yeah that I sadly can't help with. I don't know anyone up there lol.

I think there are a few good ones in SF. I know of one up in Thousand Oaks but the two I would end up choosing is down in OC. But yes, the installer matters more because if someone cuts your car... well the damage is done.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Yeah that I sadly can't help with. I don't know anyone up there lol.

I think there are a few good ones in SF. I know of one up in Thousand Oaks but the two I would end up choosing is down in OC. But yes, the installer matters more because if someone cuts your car... well the damage is done.

Who in TO?

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Who in TO?

American Wrap Co.

I keep hearing many good things about them and I know people in OC that travel up there just to have them do their cars. Apparently they won championships for clear bras lol.

I am personally, currently asking Envious Detailing aka Eric and bmw_mg_f82, both in OC to see who will do my Macan GTS.

I am in the valley, it is WAY too far for me. I traveled to Steve Thomas BMW before and it was fun but tiring. American Wrap Co. is further in TO and I am definitely not gonna go that far into TO when I find OC far already.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Arcades

American Wrap Co.

I keep hearing many good things about them and I know people in OC that travel up there just to have them do their cars. Apparently they won championships for clear bras lol.

I am personally, currently asking Envious Detailing aka Eric and bmw_mg_f82, both in OC to see who will do my Macan GTS.

I am in the valley, it is WAY too far for me. I traveled to Steve Thomas BMW before and it was fun but tiring. American Wrap Co. is further in TO and I am definitely not gonna go that far into TO when I find OC far already.

Steve Thomas did a clear for you? That's where the e90 came from, and we return for warranty items if Lothar can't/won't fix it

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Steve Thomas did a clear for you? That's where the e90 came from, and we return for warranty items if Lothar can't/won't fix it

Oh no, I didn't do anything from Steve Thomas BMW. I went there to pick up some items lol. I was just mentioning how long the drive is to that dealership and it's in TO. American Wrap Co is even further in than that so.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Oh no, I didn't do anything from Steve Thomas BMW. I went there to pick up some items lol. I was just mentioning how long the drive is to that dealership and it's in TO. American Wrap Co is even further in than that so.

Hey so, with suntek ppf, can you be sloppy with car washing? I see lots of people just kinda ignore spiderweb worries - is that true?

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Hey so, with suntek ppf, can you be sloppy with car washing? I see lots of people just kinda ignore spiderweb worries - is that true?

It depends on what you mean by that.

I would avoid doing it as much as possible since a clear bra would still be damaged by carelessness but it is still warranted so.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Arcades

It depends on what you mean by that.

I would avoid doing it as much as possible since a clear bra would still be damaged by carelessness but it is still warranted so.

I'm thinking more like you don't have to pay much attention to the two bucket method - you can just spray it off with a powerwasher, suds it up, sponge it down, rinse, wipe it dry. No worries about spiderwebbing clear coat and polishing.

If I can easily wash the car, especially like at a u wash place then the PPF will be totally worth it ... if I still have to have it detailed to avoid spider webs then maybe it's not so valuable to me ...

Basically I'm trying to decide what color I should order; i'm going white if PPF doesn't help me with washing, but if it does, then maybe I'll go darker ...

EDIT: OH, and how about windshield PPF?

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

I'm thinking more like you don't have to pay much attention to the two bucket method - you can just spray it off with a powerwasher, suds it up, sponge it down, rinse, wipe it dry. No worries about spiderwebbing clear coat and polishing.

If I can easily wash the car, especially like at a u wash place then the PPF will be totally worth it ... if I still have to have it detailed to avoid spider webs then maybe it's not so valuable to me ...

Basically I'm trying to decide what color I should order; i'm going white if PPF doesn't help me with washing, but if it does, then maybe I'll go darker ...

EDIT: OH, and how about windshield PPF?

Windshield ppf is a thing but last time I asked, the one big issue was, these actually do not last as long. You would need to replace it frequently, a year or two. You also cannot use your windshield wipers if you put it on.

White cars would definitely show yellowing IF the clear bra starts to yellow. At least with that route a detailer won't be able to deny a warranty.

Most of the more well known brands (Xpel, Suntek, Stek & Prestige for ClearGuard), from better installers shouldn't deny a warranty for the most part if the yellowing is there.

I have always preferred ClearBra over Coating because unlike coatings, a clear bra is a physical piece that you can see and feel on your car and it would protect you far more than a coating would. Coating is only there to help with washing, a good clear bra can achieve both but at a higher cost. A lot of clear bras now a days does allow you to wash your car well too, you don't need to go our of your way to maintain it usually. I just stay on the safe side. Some do clear bra & coatings to have both but a detailer should tell you generally if this is absolutely necessary or not. It generally isn't now a days.

Our Macan S is outside a lot, under the sun constantly and i have not seen any issues with it. Washing is fine, it takes a good amount of beating etc.

[GrussGott]

What if you drop your water noodle?

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

What if you drop your water noodle?

Then you have to WASH your wetsuit

[Arcades]

We have two fires sort of close to us. Not in any danger but am able to see the smoke from the mountains. The Azusa Fire and the Angeles Forest/Angeles Crest fire.

Was wondering why the sun looked so... red o.O smoke~

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Arcades

We have two fires sort of close to us. Not in any danger but am able to see the smoke from the mountains. The Azusa Fire and the Angeles Forest/Angeles Crest fire.

Was wondering why the sun looked so... red o.O smoke~

Dude. NorCal has been smoked out for 3 weeks! The air is really bad, down there today not so hot either ...

[dmk08]

Well... I suddenly find myself in immediate need of a car. My FIL needed to
He loaner back. Maybe Ill go buy a Macan GTS and beat Arcades to it... ��

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Well... I suddenly find myself in immediate need of a car. My FIL needed to
He loaner back. Maybe Ill go buy a Macan GTS and beat Arcades to it... ��

Haha, I am all for it honestly.

Especially if this is like a first Porsche. Porsche honestly does do certain things better. Driving feel and Suspension are on another level compared to BMW in every way.

The only thing is Macan is smaller. The GTS and Turbo are both also fairly pricey and slower compared to the X3M/X4M, GLC63 AMG. Then of course my constant whining of PCM sucking. The 2021 models have Apple Carplay as standard but the 2020 Macan's do not have it. They also did remove the CCB option, but I been seeing on Rennlist that it is optionable if you ask Porsche directly when ordering otherwise no CCB, just the newer ceramic coated/hybrid steel brakes. Which no one has any idea on the replacement costs or longevity.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Haha, I am all for it honestly.

Especially if this is like a first Porsche. Porsche honestly does do certain things better. Driving feel and Suspension are on another level compared to BMW in every way.

The only thing is Macan is smaller. The GTS and Turbo are both also fairly pricey and slower compared to the X3M/X4M, GLC63 AMG. Then of course my constant whining of PCM sucking. The 2021 models have Apple Carplay as standard but the 2020 Macan's do not have it. They also did remove the CCB option, but I been seeing on Rennlist that it is optionable if you ask Porsche directly when ordering otherwise no CCB, just the newer ceramic coated/hybrid steel brakes. Which no one has any idea on the replacement costs or longevity.

I would honestly just get an S with some options. I feel that is the sweet spot for Macans.