X-Pel Clear Bra
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
X-Pel Clear Bra
After some research I decided to go ahead with the X-Pel Clear Bra (http://www.xpel.com/) for my C230. The biggest reason was that it was the only brand that had an installer nearby (Tampa). The next closest was StonGard with a dealer in Boca Raton.
I made an appointment and the guy is coming out to my house next wednesday to install it. He estimates it will take around two hours, worse case three. I'm paying him extra for driving out here, but he's not charging me for the actual installation (included in price of material).
Total for the pre-cut material comes to $460 + tax, this before the extra I'm paying him for the long drive. I'll post pictures of the install and the results once it's done.
I made an appointment and the guy is coming out to my house next wednesday to install it. He estimates it will take around two hours, worse case three. I'm paying him extra for driving out here, but he's not charging me for the actual installation (included in price of material).
Total for the pre-cut material comes to $460 + tax, this before the extra I'm paying him for the long drive. I'll post pictures of the install and the results once it's done.
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
What parts did you get?
It must be nice to be in an area that's warm enough so that you can do these installs now.
Great post about Timmy and the orphans, btw.
You're not going to be really able to see any big difference, so I don't know how post-install pics are going to help anyone out, to tell you the truth, but it's your camera.
It must be nice to be in an area that's warm enough so that you can do these installs now.
Great post about Timmy and the orphans, btw.
You're not going to be really able to see any big difference, so I don't know how post-install pics are going to help anyone out, to tell you the truth, but it's your camera.
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
I got all three "paint protection" pieces. The bumper, the grill, and hood. I didn't bother with the headlight protection.
Here are some other cool links I found on the XPel product:
(great article and pictures)
http://www.mz3.net/articles/134.html
(so-so article/pics)
http://www.ackthud.net/z3/2001/Fixit/fixit-05.shtml
I don't know why you think the weather is so great here. We had rain 5-6am this morning and last week it was actually in the 60's... Today was a nice 79 most of the day. :p
Here are some other cool links I found on the XPel product:
(great article and pictures)
http://www.mz3.net/articles/134.html
(so-so article/pics)
http://www.ackthud.net/z3/2001/Fixit/fixit-05.shtml
I don't know why you think the weather is so great here. We had rain 5-6am this morning and last week it was actually in the 60's... Today was a nice 79 most of the day. :p
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From: Los Angeles
GL450, Sienna SE
There was a C Class with it on the 3/9 meet. It is very interesting and seems to work very well. He said it has been on his car for about a year already and he has no chips. Tell us how yours go. 
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From: Houston,TX-moving to The Woodlands,TX SOON!!!
Toyota Tacoma & Lexus IS250
Flash - why did you decide against the headlight protection ?
Besides - they should have thrown it in for free !!
I read the headlight protection is now $1000 for breakage....and will sustain a 120MPH 1 inch rock strike!!!!
Besides - they should have thrown it in for free !!
I read the headlight protection is now $1000 for breakage....and will sustain a 120MPH 1 inch rock strike!!!!
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
I have never in my life ever run into a headlight breaking due to road debris. Have you? I guess if such a rare event happens, I'll replace the light. I'm more worried about the paint finish. BTW, he's throwing the install in for free, eventhough this is one of the single most complicated kits they make.
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally posted by Flashman
I have never in my life ever run into a headlight breaking due to road debris. Have you? I guess if such a rare event happens, I'll replace the light. I'm more worried about the paint finish.
I have never in my life ever run into a headlight breaking due to road debris. Have you? I guess if such a rare event happens, I'll replace the light. I'm more worried about the paint finish.
I'm paying him extra for driving out here, but he's not charging me for the actual installation (included in price of material)..
BTW, he's throwing the install in for free, eventhough this is one of the single most complicated kits they make.
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From: Houston,TX-moving to The Woodlands,TX SOON!!!
Toyota Tacoma & Lexus IS250
never had a broken headlight ? Oh...I forgot you don't live in the 24/365 construction hell of Houston, TX.
I've had multiple broken headlights and foglights.....my friend had his 330i for about one month before he noticed a foglight lens was cracked. He said its approx $150 for lens (part only)!!!
so for $50 - I feel a lot safer......I'd be pissed to walk out to find my car with a cracked lens !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've had multiple broken headlights and foglights.....my friend had his 330i for about one month before he noticed a foglight lens was cracked. He said its approx $150 for lens (part only)!!!
so for $50 - I feel a lot safer......I'd be pissed to walk out to find my car with a cracked lens !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
My brother-in-law had a foglight on his Mustang break (I let my sister marry him, even though he can't pick a car); it was something like 200-300 for a new OEM one.
I got the kit, but more for the fogs than the headlights - the fogs are pretty close to the ground (more if you drop it), and thought it was worth the $ for the peace of mind.
I got the kit, but more for the fogs than the headlights - the fogs are pretty close to the ground (more if you drop it), and thought it was worth the $ for the peace of mind.
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
No, the materials cost he's charging me is the manufacture's selling price directly to individuals, just as if I bought it myself. He's throwing the install in for free for buying it through him.
Their insurance is kind of useless. It pays AFTER you report it to you insurance and it only pays the deductible. If I went around reporting ever 'rock ding' and a cracked headlight to my insurance, my premium would go through the clouds. Repainting a bumper isn't THAT bad (~$500 for a good job), so this is really a pay now or pay later thing.
I'd rather pay now and keep it looking good.
Their insurance is kind of useless. It pays AFTER you report it to you insurance and it only pays the deductible. If I went around reporting ever 'rock ding' and a cracked headlight to my insurance, my premium would go through the clouds. Repainting a bumper isn't THAT bad (~$500 for a good job), so this is really a pay now or pay later thing.
I'd rather pay now and keep it looking good.
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From: Houston,TX-moving to The Woodlands,TX SOON!!!
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flash - same is true of the headlights - I hope to prevent the damage - I'm assuming the headlight/foglight protection will actually prevent breakage so I don't have to fart with the insurance or fixing it myself..
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'01 C240/6
After he installs it, be sure to have him give you back the old sheets of 3M.
Because of the way they have to place the cutout on the sheet, there is a TON of good, extra material left over.
You could probably actually make another set from just the leftovers!
You certainly would have enough to do the mirrors, door cups, foglights, and maybe even the headlights.
I've used the remnants to make all sorts of things for my other cars.
Because of the way they have to place the cutout on the sheet, there is a TON of good, extra material left over.
You could probably actually make another set from just the leftovers!
You certainly would have enough to do the mirrors, door cups, foglights, and maybe even the headlights.
I've used the remnants to make all sorts of things for my other cars.
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
The sheets come pre-cut for my car. There's no extra. See http://www.xpel.com/ and you can see the actual patterns.
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'01 C240/6
it comes precut, but there is plenty of extra.
It comes on a solid rectangular sheet of 3M. The precut parts are die cut on that sheet. When you peel off the precut pieces, there is still a ton of unused material left. Like I said, there is so much left over, you can actually make another entire bumper cover, using the old cutout as a template! I know, because I measured it out.
Like I said, I had enough to do the headlights on my other car, the door cups on the C, small pieces for the horizontal parts of the hood next to the grille, and some other small pieces. And I still have some left.
I take it you have not actually seen the xpel sheet that it comes on yet. Either that, or xpel is doing something completely different than they did 9 months ago when I bought and installed xpel on my C.
Ask your installer to give you the remnants. You'll find lots of use for it. (or, I guess, don't, its your choice).
It comes on a solid rectangular sheet of 3M. The precut parts are die cut on that sheet. When you peel off the precut pieces, there is still a ton of unused material left. Like I said, there is so much left over, you can actually make another entire bumper cover, using the old cutout as a template! I know, because I measured it out.
Like I said, I had enough to do the headlights on my other car, the door cups on the C, small pieces for the horizontal parts of the hood next to the grille, and some other small pieces. And I still have some left.
I take it you have not actually seen the xpel sheet that it comes on yet. Either that, or xpel is doing something completely different than they did 9 months ago when I bought and installed xpel on my C.
Ask your installer to give you the remnants. You'll find lots of use for it. (or, I guess, don't, its your choice).
Last edited by SoCal240/6; Mar 15, 2002 at 01:19 AM.
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Just so everyone knows
The headlight/foglight protection protection stuff is much thicker than the stuff for the car's body. Which makes it worth it to get, IMHO. Though I'm sure that what SoCal has done helps.
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'01 C240/6
Yeah, the headlight stuff is thicker, but, heck, for free its worth a shot.
Also, if you really wanted to, you could put two layers on, although I'm not sure there would be enough material for that.
(I didn't put it on my C class headlights, I put it on a car that has the standard 4 round lights. There was more than enough for all 4).
Also, if you really wanted to, you could put two layers on, although I'm not sure there would be enough material for that.
(I didn't put it on my C class headlights, I put it on a car that has the standard 4 round lights. There was more than enough for all 4).
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From: SF Bay
2008 Cayman S / 2002 C230
Do any of you guys know where i could find a place to do the Xpel install and stuff in Northern CA? The one place i went asked $1000 to do it on my C-class and that's the whole kit, front bumper, rear bumper, side mirrors, under door handles, and all that stuff.. Just wonderin
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Originally posted by p010sp0rt8
Do any of you guys know where i could find a place to do the Xpel install and stuff in Northern CA? The one place i went asked $1000 to do it on my C-class and that's the whole kit, front bumper, rear bumper, side mirrors, under door handles, and all that stuff.. Just wonderin
Do any of you guys know where i could find a place to do the Xpel install and stuff in Northern CA? The one place i went asked $1000 to do it on my C-class and that's the whole kit, front bumper, rear bumper, side mirrors, under door handles, and all that stuff.. Just wonderin
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
After some minor delays, I had my X-Pel Clear Vinyl Bra added, here are the pictures. First there's a pic of the hood portion being installed.
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From: Sitting behind thing freakin desk of mine. Dreaming I was playing my Taylors, and driving my Benz. Long Live The VRAA!!!!!!
C230 Sports Coupe
Hey Flashy-Flash
It really looks like you have to be looking for it to see it. I am debating getting it for my silver C230. The dealer is only in the next town so no biggy. But since i had the whole car repainted i have to wait a while longer. Did it have any type of warrenty against fading?
It really looks like you have to be looking for it to see it. I am debating getting it for my silver C230. The dealer is only in the next town so no biggy. But since i had the whole car repainted i have to wait a while longer. Did it have any type of warrenty against fading?
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Yeah 4 years, though the material itself is rated for 7 years. See http://www.xpel.com/warrantyframe.html
