shtatc

Hello everyone,

just want your opinion on whether or not you would choose a quality front bra or the new clear stonegard/xpel protectants. Just tired of finding new chips in the front of the car.

p010sp0rt8

shtatc - have you found a front bra for the new C's? i've been looking for one for the S430 and the C230 we just got and i haven't found nething yet. Personally i had a front bra on my BMW 325i since i got it and it looks great. The color of the car definately has an effect on the look. I had a dark maroon E36 and with the clear corners in the front it really made the car look more aggressive. You might want to ask to see other people's cars with bra's first tho. If you don't like seeing a big black mask on the hood of your car everyday go for the stonegard, i heard they are very good but quite costly. That to me is the only downside.

shtatc

p010sport8,

I have not found anything yet...some of the typical bras..Colgan, etc....nothing that really catches my eye....dont mind having the front end 'black' due to the bra..just hate to see the little nicks and dings due to the rocks etc....one thing for the bra..it is removable....use it when you feel the need for extra protection..but then why get it? oh well..the questions we most answer....

SoCal240/6

I agree the front end chips too easily.

But I'd endure chips before putting a huge piece of black Naugahyde over that beautiful front end. That would be very ghetto.

I got the xpel bumper kit for $199 and installed it myself.

It solved the chip problem and is almost totally invisible. I bet that during the life of the car, not one person will ever even notice it. Unless you are looking for it, you just can't see it.

(Black Naugahyde bra irony: The only cars you see them on these days are beaters with dents, scratches, peeling paint, etc. where protection of the paint on the front end should be the least of the owner's worry!).

shtatc

socal240/6,

I had to laugh...ironically, that is so true....
will have to investigate the stonegard/xpel option a little more....thanks

Bud

I have a bra for my 99 ML320. It's a PITA to put on and off, especially since you're no6t supposed to leave it on there if it gets wet and the sun comes out (it'll boil the water underneath and cloud the paint). So, it's nice for long trips because it reduces the bugs and such, but you still get stone chips anytime you drive at highway speeds.

Big Dog

Had a stonguard clear nose bra applied on my 2000 Acura TL and I love it. You have to be right on top of it to see it and after two years there is no yellowing. Very satisfied with this product.

TimmyC230boy

I think I will get a stoneguard too!

shtatc

I have decided to look into the Stongard product...trying to contact the rep up in Phoenix....have not heard back yet...when I do..I will report back...

Anyone who has installed the product..anything we should know before have the film installed?

SoCal240/6

Regarding having the product installed:

1) I would get xpel, rather than stongard. It is the exact same 3M material, except xpel charges a lot less. They will give you some song and dance about how their material is cut different. Don't buy into that. While that may be true for some cars, for the C class xpel and stongard are cut the same.

2) If you buy it from xpel, you can have it installed at any number of shops in your area. Lots of window tinting shops install it. You might want to get a few references before signing up. But, to be honest, its pretty easy to install (I did it myself), so any pro should have no problem at all. You might want to be sure they will guarantee their work, i.e. if they screw it up, they will take care of buying new material!

I called around here in So. Cal. last year, the going rate to install the bumper kit was around $150.