New Spyder Owner - Any tips
12-17-2022 | 04:14 PM
#46
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From: San Diego, CA
Im leaning towards the same train of thought as you. My current car has a 1/3 PPF, and my OCD self could spot the difference from where the PPF was laid, to where it was not like it was a sore thumb. I had been going back and forth with the idea of doing the 1/3 wrap again (XPEL) or the entire car in STEALTH/Ceramic. Today I woke up and decided against the 6-7,000$ combo. Instead, my buddy who is a detailer will do a light polish to the factory paintwork, then I’ll follow up doing all the rest of the steps myself (Decontamination…etc…). Crystal Serum Light, topped with EXO X2 coats. This stuff is easy to work with, and I’ll save even more by doing this DIY - the plan it to split up the project over two weekends; 1st the paint/trim, 2nd Wheels/Glass/Interior. My out of pocket cost will be less than 1000$, with all the rest of the PPF money alone going towards Exhaust, Suspension, and other miscellaneous mods that will give me a better bang for my buck than PPF/Ceramic $$$$
Touch up paint will be bought ASAP, bc I will have around 100,000 on the GT4 within 5-6 years, and I do a lot of highway driving.
Touch up paint will be bought ASAP, bc I will have around 100,000 on the GT4 within 5-6 years, and I do a lot of highway driving.
The following 2 users liked this post by Ken in San Diego:
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12-17-2022 | 04:19 PM
#47
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Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 557
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From: San Diego, CA
Im leaning towards the same train of thought as you. My current car has a 1/3 PPF, and my OCD self could spot the difference from where the PPF was laid, to where it was not like it was a sore thumb. I had been going back and forth with the idea of doing the 1/3 wrap again (XPEL) or the entire car in STEALTH/Ceramic. Today I woke up and decided against the 6-7,000$ combo. Instead, my buddy who is a detailer will do a light polish to the factory paintwork, then I’ll follow up doing all the rest of the steps myself (Decontamination…etc…). Crystal Serum Light, topped with EXO X2 coats. This stuff is easy to work with, and I’ll save even more by doing this DIY - the plan it to split up the project over two weekends; 1st the paint/trim, 2nd Wheels/Glass/Interior. My out of pocket cost will be less than 1000$, with all the rest of the PPF money alone going towards Exhaust, Suspension, and other miscellaneous mods that will give me a better bang for my buck than PPF/Ceramic $$$$
Touch up paint will be bought ASAP, bc I will have around 100,000 on the GT4 within 5-6 years, and I do a lot of highway driving.
Touch up paint will be bought ASAP, bc I will have around 100,000 on the GT4 within 5-6 years, and I do a lot of highway driving.
Last edited by Ken in San Diego; 12-17-2022 at 04:21 PM.
12-17-2022 | 06:06 PM
#48
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Joined: Feb 2021
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I will sell this car, but not without a ton of miles on it, so why am I trying to preserve it at my expense for something that when I sell it, will be nearly worthless or just a liability (old ppf is a liability)
Lesson learned. In the future I'll probably ppf the front bumper, maybe the hood (my hood ppf is already scratched up well)
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Larry Cable (12-17-2022)
12-17-2022 | 07:51 PM
#49
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Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Orange County, CA
Interesting point about PPF. So many folks here recommend it. As you have it on your car, and you don't recommend it. Is it the XPEL brand? I have my new Spyder coming next month, but with XPEL and ceramic coating, I am looking at about $8k. It's a lot of money.
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12-17-2022 | 09:32 PM
#50
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Welcome and congrats on the Spyder! There’s lots you can do for performance and cosmetics, but here’s my priority list:
-Rear Toe Links and proper alignment
-OAP (over axle pipes) to increase volume a bit
-Cargraphic Valve Controller to enjoy the full exhaust sound at all RPMs
-T Design module to save all your settings like Auto Start/Stop, exhaust, rev match
PPF is necessary in my opinion, helps on track as well. Though it is not bulletproof to be honest especially when track use is involved. Things get ricocheted onto your car.
Make sure your flaps are secured before driving away when you put the top up. Witnessed one person doing it wrong and then just flapping and banging against the rear decklid a few weeks ago.
-Rear Toe Links and proper alignment
-OAP (over axle pipes) to increase volume a bit
-Cargraphic Valve Controller to enjoy the full exhaust sound at all RPMs
-T Design module to save all your settings like Auto Start/Stop, exhaust, rev match
PPF is necessary in my opinion, helps on track as well. Though it is not bulletproof to be honest especially when track use is involved. Things get ricocheted onto your car.
Make sure your flaps are secured before driving away when you put the top up. Witnessed one person doing it wrong and then just flapping and banging against the rear decklid a few weeks ago.
12-17-2022 | 09:44 PM
#51
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 317
From: Seattle
I found QuickJack to be too fiddly for me for oil changes, although it's great for everything else. I bought Race Ramps for oil changes. They make it so much easier to access the screws to the aero panels. Every time I change the oil I think about how awesome it would have been if Porsche provided a small access panel for an easy oil change.
Also, if you AX or track, the windshield washer fluid is guaranteed to dribble down the lower left front fender close to the door.
Also, if you AX or track, the windshield washer fluid is guaranteed to dribble down the lower left front fender close to the door.
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Larry Cable (12-18-2022)
12-19-2022 | 12:22 AM
#53
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Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 557
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From: San Diego, CA
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12-19-2022 | 12:25 AM
#54
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From: Marineland FL
I would challenge anyone to see where mine starts and stops, and I am as OCD as anyone. My car is Yellow though so maybe that matters? The key is not getting partial panels done and following the lines of the car. I got the entire hood done, not half like some, and I got the rockers done but not the doors, etc. And as they say, "shop the installer, not the material."
12-19-2022 | 01:53 AM
#55
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,071
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From: SF Bay Area
A bit late to the part,y but I agree with @edub, and like him, I am saying that after having a full XPEL PPFed car.
I felt the wrap tends to get damaged much easier than actual paint. It is hard to find a shop that does it properly without leaving exposed edges, it is expensive, it doesn't last that long, etc. etc.
I felt the wrap tends to get damaged much easier than actual paint. It is hard to find a shop that does it properly without leaving exposed edges, it is expensive, it doesn't last that long, etc. etc.
12-19-2022 | 11:42 AM
#56
RL Community Team
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From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Interesting that PPF seems to polarize a few here on Rennlist... 
If you can't afford it then don't get it,
If you don't care about rock chips then don't get it,
If you think you can see it then don't get it,
If you don't keep your car for long don't get it,
If you plan to re-paint your car as a solution don't get it,
If you have never heard of PPF then don't get it,
Some of us think differently and the points on the list above don't apply, for us it makes sense...
If you can't afford it then don't get it,
If you don't care about rock chips then don't get it,
If you think you can see it then don't get it,
If you don't keep your car for long don't get it,
If you plan to re-paint your car as a solution don't get it,
If you have never heard of PPF then don't get it,
Some of us think differently and the points on the list above don't apply, for us it makes sense...
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12-19-2022 | 12:08 PM
#57
Banned
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 557
Likes: 206
From: San Diego, CA
Interesting that PPF seems to polarize a few here on Rennlist...
If you can't afford it then don't get it,
If you don't care about rock chips then don't get it,
If you think you can see it then don't get it,
If you don't keep your car for long don't get it,
If you plan to re-paint your car as a solution don't get it,
If you have never heard of PPF then don't get it,
Some of us think differently and the points on the list above don't apply, for us it makes sense...
If you can't afford it then don't get it,
If you don't care about rock chips then don't get it,
If you think you can see it then don't get it,
If you don't keep your car for long don't get it,
If you plan to re-paint your car as a solution don't get it,
If you have never heard of PPF then don't get it,
Some of us think differently and the points on the list above don't apply, for us it makes sense...
With all that said, I am seriously thinking about ceramic. I want to keep the UV rays off the paint and plastic parts, and I think it will make general maintenance easier. Plus, the cost point is very affordable.
Last edited by Ken in San Diego; 12-19-2022 at 12:41 PM.
12-19-2022 | 12:39 PM
#58
RL Community Team
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From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Ceramic coatings are amazing, I use them as well, they certainly make general maintenance a whole lot easier, cleaning the exterior of the car has never been a more enjoyable part of ownership.
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12-19-2022 | 12:43 PM
#59
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From: North of Dallas
Plus I find it deepens the luster / color of the car, significantly; really makes it glow.
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12-19-2022 | 08:26 PM
#60
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Yes there is a track time thread…..first or second page if you don’t want to use search tools as recommended lol……unfortunately we do not have a site librarian to hold you by the hand and take you to your requested information or write a customized report for you.
I read bimmerpost too and 100% certain they tell you the same gdt.
I read bimmerpost too and 100% certain they tell you the same gdt.
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