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.

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

^^ 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.

 

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.

 

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

Make sure to get the headlights done also.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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