Hey everyone, I wanted to get as many opinions on this as possible. I have a matte colored G wagon arriving soon. I was planning on doing high impact areas and rear bumped in PPF, but spoke with my installer and he asked if I just wanted to do the whole care. Whole care is 8k plus tax, then ceramic if I decide to add that as well. High impact areas only is half the cost. Curious if worth it to do entire vehicle.
Miami roads arent' really that bad for whatever thats worth.

 

I’m going to have mine ceramic coated, I had PPF on my entire GT3. I have my 24 ceramic coated and had my 21 ceramic Coated. I only hand wash my vehicles.

 

Gotcha, as my GT3 has full xpel stealth as well since I try to take it as fast as possible LOL.
So, no ppf at all on the G? I just worry with matte paint and rock chips.

 

This will be my first magno G, but my detailer and the dealer said the way I take care of my G, I don’t need PPF. I use a Master Blaster to dry it, I don’t even use drying towels. My GT3 sat too low to the ground and the tire compound was so sticky, it picked up everything from the roads. I had a rock hit the hood on the highway. The windshield on the G is what you need to worry about. I had a small rock hit my windshield on the highway and within a couple miles, I had a large crack on my windshield. The rock came off the left rear tire of a Honda Civic. I keep my distance from 18 wheelers. The glass alone was $2800.

 

^ I'm with Craig as the G sits so high up knock on wood I haven't really seen any material hits to the paint from road debris even on long road trips (LA to Vegas etc), but I've only done metallic paints on my G wagons. Never PPF, always ceramic coat head to toe

 

The problem isn’t you or how you wash it, it’s more so how other people treat your car. Parking lots with people swiping your car with their body or bag will leave a mark, let alone rock chips.

I have full PPF and don’t regret it. I highly recommend doing the entire car for peace of mind but it just depends how picky you are about perfect body paint

 

I remember an article years ago in one of the Porsche magazines talking about the patina from a few rock chips being like each of us as we get older and our faces wrinkle or we chip a tooth and it’s just part of the life story of the vehicle. That’s always resonated with me. I’m still very **** with my cars, but each little imperfection is just part of its life. Everyone will have their preference and find out what’s ultimately the right path for them – it might require making the wrong choice along the way, too.

 

This is largely my concern. I worry about door dings and I am OCD with that stuff 😬

 

I don’t park near anyone, I’m the person who parks away from everyone in the back of the parking lot. PPF won’t stop door dings,

 

Valid point!

 

I will be getting my 10th G since 2009 in the next 10 days. 4 of them were mango paints (2 black, one platinum and one green hell).
Never did a PPF or a Ceramic wrap on any of the cars and I have owned each of them for at least 3 years.
Never had an issue with stone chips or regular car washes.
My only issues have been cracked windshields and making sure the wrap around brushes in the car wash tunnel don't bang the spare tire ring from the sides as they wrap around the rear end.

 

I only hand wash my vehicles. Those brush washes tear the heck out of your vehicle. Not to mention the swirl marks. It’s a ceramic coating, not a wrap. I also use a ceramic reload spray every time I wash my vehicle.

 

WOW ! So no issues with that matte paint at all is amazing news.

 

I've held off on this topic because it can be a controversial one, so please be kind and don't beat up the messenger. I am extremely close friends with numerous executives at AMG in Affalterbach and Stuttgart, and have spoken with them ad nauseam about paint protection for my '24 G63. Mine is a '24 Magno Black. They told me unanimously to avoid PPF and all aftermarket paint protection on MB in general, especially the MB Magnos. They unanimously believe all those aftermarket items/products/procedures are all gimmicks for vendors to make money off of our fear and insecurity.

First, they said MB have invested tens of millions of dollars into its paint, especially matte paint which was apparently quite controversial internally at MB corporate when initially discussed several years ago. Given the amount of investment, MB is confident its paint can withstand normal highway and off-road conditions.

Second, they said an MB's paint should be allowed to age with the car as it creates overall uniformity of the vehicle.

Third, they said once PPF is applied, its eventually removal (after 3-4 years which is how long a good PPF can truly last in the real world) can damage or worse, peel off part of the original paint. Apparently PPF has a way of adhering to the paint on the micro level so they become one. It then becomes impossible to remove PPF on those areas without affecting the original paint. I've actually witnessed this to several of my friends' horror when they removed PPF from their cars - Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Rolls. They were so sad and livid and have since forsaken PPF altogether.

My AMG friends told me to just leave my G63 paint alone. It will invariably gather some scuffs a few years in. When it gets to the point of it being a constant irritation to me, just contact MB and they will provide you with a list of approved vendors in your geographic location and they can simply repaint the entire G with its original factory paint (note that a typical bodyshop won't have access to MB paint and only certain approved vendors do). While it won't be a cheap paint job, it will restore the vehicle paint-wise to its original condition. They also emphasized never paint the vehicle other than with its original color as that will lead to visual inconsistencies and devalue the vehicle (for those of you who care about resales).

Lastly, I love the Magno Black as is. I've seen other G's that have been PPF'ed and my eyes can always somehow pick up the difference. There's a light satin sheen that I'm simply not a fan of - almost like the factory matte paint that Land Rover uses. So for me, I'm sticking with my Magno Black au naturel. Should the day come, I will simply have MB repaint the entire vehicle the same color.

Don't stone me for my thoughts... Stay safe.

 

Thats music to my ears honestly!

 

Agreed, imo PPF is a complete waste of money and I am OCD about my vehicles. After owning 2 Gs in 4 years both of which were my daily drivers and taking them through car washes both with brushes and touchless countless times, I can confidently say that the paint looks just as good as the day I bought it.

If I really want it to look amazing over the weekend, I’ll spend the extra time hand washing and buffing it… I think PPF and ceramic coating is just a way for detailing and wrap shops to make a quick buck.

 

I had my GT3 ceramic coated and PPF on the entire vehicle. I’ve had both my G 63’s ceramic coated and will have my new one coated as well. I only hand wash my vehicles. It is a waste of money to have it ceramic coated if you’re going through automatic car washes.

 

To each their own! Someone has to keep the wrap shops in business! Lol

 

I didn’t have my G 63’s wrapped. A ceramic coating isn’t a wrap and I’d never take a $200K + vehicle through an automatic car wash. To each their own.

 

Every wrap shops also does ceramic coating… OP asked if PPF is worth it. I’d say those that always wrap their cars or only hand wash etc don’t really provide a realistic observation of the quality and resiliency of MB paint. I’m simply saying having done none of that and still taking it through car washes etc is a pretty accurate observation of how well the paint holds up under normal conditions. But by all means continue to throw money at things that are unnecessary if that makes you happy.

 

I would say if you protect anything.... protect the windshield with a protection film.

 

My real question is due to the magno paint! I really appreciate all the responses and info thus far!

 

What colors are your wagons ?

 

my 21 and 24G 63 iridium silver
25 G 63 Hyper Blue Magno on the water now.

 

whoops knew that , meant to ask someone else lol
sorry my man!