e-man

Hey guys. I've had my car for about 3 weeks now, and in those 3 weeks, I've picked up quite a few stone chips/nicks on the bumper and hood (I would say 4-5 small chips on the bumper and 1-2 small chips on the hood). My dealer tells me that they can touch up the chips and then put a 3M clear bra on the car. I know it won't look perfect, but at least then I won't have to worry about further chips. They are asking $700 for the install, which includes bumper, front of hood and fenders and the back of the side view mirrors.

Can I get some advice on this? Is this a good idea or not? Obviously it would have been better to do this 3 weeks ago, but I didn't and this is the decision I'm now facing. I'm planning on bringing the car in tomorrow.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

e

Teddy350

I do alot of highway driving and this definitely sounds like a good idea. Only problem is that $700 sounds like too much.

e-man

I agree. $500 sounds much more reasonable. The problem is that I really have no basis to judge the price. They told me it would take about 4 hours to install.

chuckGS350

I paid $599 for Venture Shield at Lexus dealer when I bougt my new RX350.

e-man

Is that the same as 3M? I've called around to some other dealerships and $700 seems to be the going rate around here.

chuckGS350

My GS350 has 3M. The difference is 3M is thicker than Venture Shield. You can easily see the linings. I also paid $599 for it 5 yrs ago. I like Venture Shield better. It's not so obvious.
Google it. 3M versus Venture Shield.
I checked the invoice. The price is $695. But the nego, is done for the whole car.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

I was offered $350 at my dealership but I need to paint my front bumper first as I have accumulated to many rock chips, my other dealership offered $700 so its a normal price but you need to talk them down. Im good with my service advisor and thats why I got that $350. I'd try around before settling on that price.

e-man

Thanks for the tip. I'll try to talk them down.

What do you guys think about the fact that I'm putting it over a dew touched up chips?

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

^^ better now than later.

700 including tax isn't too bad. I was getting quotes today at body shops in NorCal and it's around $550 plus tax for what you've described.

e-man

I'm sure it's $700 plus tax, so figure around $750 otd. I'll call a few dealerships in the morning, but my guess is that they'll all give me the stock answer of $700.

And good point about better now than later.

M K S

$700 sounds a bit high. Have you tried shopping around at all?

Make sure to get the headlights done also.

onephatguy

iTrader: (3)

Go to a good tint shop. You don't need the dealeship to do it. The tint shop I use has computer cut tint and clear bra's. Much less money than the $700 they are charging you, I'm sure. Here is a link. Just look for something similiar in your area. http://www.protintonline.net/ppf.html

Teddy350

I definitely want some protection for the front of my car when on the highway

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

It will show thats for sure, any craters in the hood will show cause of the 3M film. The better part is it will be protected from then on.

arnieosp

iTrader: (1)

I bought this pre-cut set and had it installed by my window tint guy for $200. I did buy optional headlight covers too.