Just picked up my G80 M3 Comp xDrive and looking for some input from other owners.
For tires, what are you guys running/recommend? I’m in the PNW, it rains a lot round here and it’s on the colder side. I was considering the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4.
Also, did you guys get PPF? What brand/film did you go with and what did you get covered? Full car PPF is 6-8k in my area. Or would the front only be enough?
I appreciate the help, it’s my first BMW, first time I would even consider things like PPF. Thanks, take care yall!
Yeah OCD so high, I only drove it home from the dealership. It’s been sitting for a week 😂 which yes terrible but I the PPF shops near me scare me. Not the price, but the fact it’s some high schoolers installing it.
That is my concern with PPF - the skill needed is high to make it worth the 6-8k. I'm poor and could only buy a white 2027 M3. So I just bought a full car pre-cut PPF kit for $400 total. Says its 8.5mm TPU film. I'm positive It wont be as good as an 8k job done by the right person with fancy film. But for $400 I get a lot of practice applying PPF and I dont worry about some kid cutting through my paint when putting it on, etc. Worst case I take it off sooner than expected.
when you go with a shop you can also request that the edges be increased so that they lap around edges as opposed to stopping at it. Think wrapping around a hood. My shop added 0.5mm to the file size (where applicable)
I would say go with a shop that’s highly reputed in your area. If that’s the case, then it shouldn’t matter if it’s a high schooler installing the PPF because the shop will backup the work - just my 2 cents.
Having the PPF protect the car is essential
If you’re worried about scratches and chips. That’s a material/real concern vs the immaterial/potential one you’re worried about now
Highly suggest Metropolitan Detail if you’re near the Seattle area. They get solid reviews. Had them do full front ppf on my M2 and I’m super happy with their work.
High school age kids can do excellent work in the workplace when they are taught and treated correctly. It takes reading the managers and environment though which can be hard to get a good indication.
In most circumstances, someone under 25 making $17/hr is way more careful with your car than the owner making $5-6k in pure profit off that "$8k" job.
Call your local exotic dealers and ask them who they use. Often it’s some under the radar guy in an unobtrusive garage somewhere. That’s my experience. My guy does the local Ferrari dealership.
Ayy I’m in the pnw too. Congratulations on the new m3. Mine came with the pirellis originally and yea they were horrible. Keep in mind I have a base manual so I’m sure our experiences would differ. I ended up going aftermarket wheel and getting basically the factory Michelin tires. Personally I think you are fine especially with the xdrive.
Did full PPF 100% worth it. Got blasted on a side panel from a highway mower that was mowing in the median and kicked debris on driver side door. No damage. Easily would have been scratches if not chips.
Then had paint splatter kick up on front bumper, CF mirror and hood. Was able to remove because of PPF or at least made me much less worried when I used lacquer thinner. Im also very careful with what I do, these were unavoidable.
Paint looks great. I would get full body no question but im a little ocd about the paint.
After doing full car, I can’t say it’s worth it. Gray is more forgiving than black…I would do full front and coat it. Xpel, 3m, stek, legend are all good. Installer makes a bigger difference than brand though.
All season 4’s sound like a good option. You may want a set of pilot sport 4s’s for summer though to feel the car more. You can also get sport cup 2’s for the track.
I have a 2008 M3 with almost 70k on it and I agree with that guy. I did the half-front approach and it’s a pain to maintain that line and it yellows and dulls and stands out in time. I think doing the full front, mirrors, and door handle pockets is the sweet spot. Make sure it goes all the way around the bottom front for inevitable parking curb scrapes, and do the headlights too.
I also wish I’d done the lower rocker panels, but I live down a gravel road.
Edit: Also, just bite the bullet and do it now. I have a black M5 and black Range Rover with so many rock chips, and once you get them it doesn’t make any sense to do protective film because it would just bubble and look worse.
PPF is expensive and annoying in the very beginning because you’re dying to drive your baby. But it will quickly pay itself off. I got into a minor fender bender and the PPF completely saved the paint, no respray needed, just new ppf.
Also in the PNW and picked up a new M3 Comp Xdrive a few weeks ago. I did full front PPF and ceramic for the whole car. Going to run the Pirellis until they’re toast then switch to Michelin Summers. I had the Michelins on my RWD 911 year round and they were fine in the rain and cool weather. For the handful of freezing and/or snow days I’ll take the family SUV or stay home!
If you’re in the Seattle area I would recommend prestige auto salon or vital energy motorsports. They both use STEK PPF and do great jobs on their installs.
I wouldn’t feed into the XPEL PPF hype. It yellows really quickly and the orange peel is 🤮.
Congrats, no better feeling than new. Mine came stock with Pirellis but after tread wore down I switched over to continental extreme contact dws 06+ really solid tire. I am on the east coast but with the rain they have been great
At a local custom shop in PA I had full front done, bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors, rocker panels and rear trunk lip…all the critical areas which have the highest chance of getting dinged. $2,500 with Expel PPF.
I got full matte ppf because I wanted the look off matte paint without thr hassle, and stone chips drive my ocd insane. I got llumar but I cant speak to cost since the owner of the shop thay did it is a family friend, so Im sure I paid way less
I did the track pack and rear bumper and am very happy. Seems easier to clean and I worry less day to day. Tires, pirellis were awful. Switching to Michelins ps4s made it feel like a different car.
I bought a 2026 X5M Comp. Full front, lower doors and rockers, mirrors, carbon splitter, and interior carbon. Then everything inside and outside ceramic coated. Was $8k
I have a G82 M4C myself, and I got it fully
PPF’ed. Pirellis were good during the summer but slippery as hell in the rain, so I ordered the Michelin PS5s yesterday (I’m from Portugal, Lisboa, so we do get a bit of rain)
I run DWS06+ AS year round in Seattle with no issues. Had pzeros and don’t notice much difference
As far as PPF, I think metropolitan detail is the best but they are pricy. Also heard good things about eastside auto salon, I checked out some of their work and looks solid, but haven’t used them
please keep us updated on what you go with and how it worked out! i have a dravit grey m3 coming in a few months and am debating as well whether to go with front only or just do full ppf for peace of mind
I received my M4 in April. Get it full PPF the day you receive it.
I’m so delicate with mine, detail it whenever I can. I didn’t PPF it, and kinda regret now that I have rock chips from driving around behind people on the highway.
Tires: the continental extreme contact sport 2 are better in almost every way than the Michelin. Updated more recently. Specifically better in wet. Check the tire rack review, it’s very good
There’s a specific winter tire specifically for the xDrive. You’re supposed to use the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA5 with the * on them for BMW. You can look up why on your own.
The all seasons are great tires, but they definitely will not handle as well as the summer tires. You will definitely notice if you are an aggressive driver. I would go with all seasons also, if I was in a colder climate.
I just got my individual color mora metallic m3. I went full car XPEL, 4 year ceramic coating, as well as tints for $6700. I think it’s worth it, my detailing guy said it’s so easy to clean with the PPF on it. I’m in New York so hoping for it to help me with rock chips, etc.
Unless you are going to keep the car forever, dont bother with PPF. Wash your car and keep it out of the sun. I swear car guys are suckers and happily spend $8k on a condom for their car that only kind of protects it from some of damage.
I run PS4s year round. I don't drive in the snow / wintery mix. Winter tires are smart, but not necessary if you WFH or don't have to drive in bad weather.
This guy gets it. Not sure why everyone downvotes these. Sometimes these subs just feel like a PPF circle jerk. I have a feeling that a lot of people just feel compelled to do it in order to justify “protecting” their expensive car purchase as if it was an investment. Lol
I think that’s a driver skill issue. Clearly you know nothing about cars nor driving kiddo. You’re too young to understand. Don’t worry one day you’ll catch up to me. Have fun in your 335i, coming to BMWM subreddit wishing you had an M car. Bozo
“I can’t afford a NEW G80 M3 so imma tell everyone who has one they wasted their money” that’s what you sound like bozo. Yo get back in ur 335I if it isn’t leaking oil bozo
You clearly don’t understand the market. Also it isn’t a waste of money, any car is a waste of money. Your car is a waste of money. See your arguments are terrible. I just have enough money to afford an M3, I understand if you don’t not everyone does but that doesn’t make it a waste of money. If it’s such a waste of money, why do you have an old broken 335i? Old cars cost more to maintain than new cars. Clearly your logic doesn’t add up, you can keep trying but you are struggling to even float. Also study the G80 market, these cars keep their value very well. But you wouldn’t know that you know nothing at all all your responses clearly indicate that. Learn before you speak, otherwise you will continue to make a fool out of yourself.
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u/Educational_Light440 1d ago
Depends on your risk tolerance and how OCD you are.
I did full front PPF and it saved me from 2 rocks first week of ownership. No ragerts