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After seeing the effects of 18,000 miles of chips on my previously owned 50th, I would suggest to wrap the FBC. Recently paid an indy $550 to wrap the FBC in Xpel Ultimate on the GTS and he did a great job. T
Clear bra - most likely they will offer it - decline it. You can get it done cheaper and better from a specialist installer.
Wheel Tire insurance - depends if you are unlucky enough to get a couple of flat tires and curb your wheels a lot. I know some people who have benefited from this, but it seems most have not. Negotiate price down and it may be worth it. Most times it is just cheaper to not get it and just fix the wheel or tire, but like I said, it is worth it if you are really unlucky. Also, the package usually comes with PDR, which can be expensive.
Remote Radar detector - pass. Dealer will overcharge for an inferior unit, usually the K40. Like clear bra, best to go aftermarket for better and cheaper.
I've found that most dealer offerings are rip offs, not because they are unnecessary but because they are so over priced. Most are negotiable and a plus for some is you can dump it into the cost of the car and finance it.
I just picked up an F85 X5M with 21" wheels for my wife knowing I wanted their wheel and tire package due to the potholes here and it was offered to me for $3495, I offered them $1500 and they agreed.
Clear bra, which I think is necessary is a different issue, because unless you know the installer, you are safer doing it on your own. The disadvantage to this is getting hit with a rock on your way to the installer.
Instead of the tiny shark fins that yellow and show dust on the seems... get Xpel. Looks at the full coverage for the coupe and Cab and just look at the protection. the shark fins only cover a small area...
I shopped around for clear bra for price and skill following recommendations from respected car guys. I ended up having the dealer do it. They have an in house (at their warehouse) clean room for it with 3 full time people doing clear bra work. I visited the place and spoke with the lead guy and he answered all my questions to my liking about wrapping edges the process in general. I ended up with their "race" package which includes full nose (hood, fenders, bumper, mirrors, etc), headlights with regular film not the thicker headlight film, a-pillars and panel between top of windshield and sunroof, lower rockers and replacement of stone guards with a larger piece and a small piece behind the rear wheel on the arch. $2700. They're just finishing it now, haven't seen it yet.
Tire and Wheel: normally $2000, I got just 10% off at $1800. 5 years non prorated tire and wheel replacement, curb rash repair, full glass coverage, paint-less dent repair, and lost key replacement (up to $800/yr). With 20" wheels I figure I'll use this warranty more than once over 5 years. Covers winter tires too. These warranties have gotten better over the years. It was really the PDR, glass and key coverage that made me go for it.
Instead of the tiny shark fins that yellow and show dust on the seems... get Xpel. Looks at the full coverage for the coupe and Cab and just look at the protection. the shark fins only cover a small area...
I shopped around for clear bra for price and skill following recommendations from respected car guys. I ended up having the dealer do it. They have an in house (at their warehouse) clean room for it with 3 full time people doing clear bra work. I visited the place and spoke with the lead guy and he answered all my questions to my liking about wrapping edges the process in general. I ended up with their "race" package which includes full nose (hood, fenders, bumper, mirrors, etc), headlights with regular film not the thicker headlight film, a-pillars and panel between top of windshield and sunroof, lower rockers and replacement of stone guards with a larger piece and a small piece behind the rear wheel on the arch. $2700. They're just finishing it now, haven't seen it yet.
Tire and Wheel: normally $2000, I got just 10% off at $1800. 5 years non prorated tire and wheel replacement, curb rash repair, full glass coverage, paint-less dent repair, and lost key replacement (up to $800/yr). With 20" wheels I figure I'll use this warranty more than once over 5 years. Covers winter tires too. These warranties have gotten better over the years. It was really the PDR, glass and key coverage that made me go for it.
Mine had these extras as well, only difference being glass. They pointed out it wasn't windshield replacement but preventative filling of chips.
I shopped around for clear bra for price and skill following recommendations from respected car guys. I ended up having the dealer do it. They have an in house (at their warehouse) clean room for it with 3 full time people doing clear bra work. I visited the place and spoke with the lead guy and he answered all my questions to my liking about wrapping edges the process in general. I ended up with their "race" package which includes full nose (hood, fenders, bumper, mirrors, etc), headlights with regular film not the thicker headlight film, a-pillars and panel between top of windshield and sunroof, lower rockers and replacement of stone guards with a larger piece and a small piece behind the rear wheel on the arch. $2700. They're just finishing it now, haven't seen it yet.
I daily drive my car because I enjoy driving it and have had it now for about 6 weeks. Had Xpel Ultimate installed on mine. On my new to me 2014 991 C2S I had a very similar package as above installed and had my lower rockers wrapped into the door jambs to keep shoes from scratching the paint plus I had more wrapped placed onto the rear fenders. Dealer I bought from has a business relationship with a shop local to them that installs Xpel and I got all this done for right at $2K. I liked the guy who did the install when I spoke with him. Interestingly he did not recommend doing the headlights on a Porsche...he said something about the film not holding up well over time or something to that effect.
Before I took my car in to get it wrapped I washed and clay barred it and was surprised at the amount of chips and paint defects from stones on the front bumper for a car that only had 2300 miles on it. This protection film seems like money well spent and frankly I do not have the time or inclination to do this myself. If I had bought the car new I might have had the whole thing wrapped. This Xpel ultimate ppf really hides paint imperfections, scratches and swirls which is great because black is a fantastic color but shows every imperfection.
Hesitant to buy the wheel/tire protection but did because of another Porsche and BMW owning buddy of mine who drives the same roads I do lunched a wheel on his new 4 series and basically talked me into it. Normally I hate buying extended warranty type crap but a new Sport Techno 20" wheel and tire is not cheap.
You will usually pay a premium for any 'add on' at the dealer, this is how they make some additional profit. Clear film, 'super' paint protection coatings, etc.
If you are going to consider having them do the work, find out who does it and do your due diligence.
Have a pro do the work for you instead of the dealer...you most likely end up spending the same or perhaps less, and getting a much better job in the end.
05-05-2016, 12:40 AM
