JohnH4260

I was wondering if any one has any experience (good or bad) with the 3M clear bra permanently glued to the front of their vehicle and rear-view mirrors?

WSH

Wouldn't bother on S-Class....

Had 3M installed on a new Ferrari yrs back (and never put it on any subsequent cars I owned)....realized it's fairly worthless even on low-lying sportscars....IMO, utterly worthless (actually negative value) for a high ride ht S-Class....

Few negatives....even w/best install, can see a line where film ends (am OCD enough that it annoys me); install can be imperfect and risks to paint/clearcoat (and waste of one's time) w/re-dos; line can become more visible w/wax/dirt accumul.....still can get stone chips of windshield/non-filmed areas.....

Also, MB nanotech clearcoat is far better, more stone-resistant paint than anything Porsche/Ferrari use....(and suspect MB's high-tech glass is more stone-resistant than P/F's)

Stone chips are part of the patina of normal use....just as are rapidly-wearing perf tires, no matter how much silly tire-dressing one applies for cosmetics....

JohnH4260

Thank you.

carsnob

WSH pretty much summed it up.
I put this on my last S class, but not on my new one. Seeing the line where it ends starts to bug you and that offsets the benefits of no stone chips.
Also they can slightly yellow a bit over time.

LETO

it's like covering your furniture with plastic

ima55r2

I've only had the headlights done on my cars. I can deal with chips in the paint but can't fix deep chips in the plastic lenses. The UV protection in the film also reduces the exposure to the lenses and the possibility of the headlight fogging and crazing.

jbondox

the 3M sucks and yellows compared to the Ventureshield brand. And of course you will have a line, it isn't as noticeable if it is done professionally, and there is a kid here that is flawless. from 4 feet away it totally disappears, and up north where the roads suck, rocks etc... I would recommend it. if a person scratches it or it gets damaged it peels off, and add a new one.

Oh yeah the alternative is chips and scuffs and scratches.

Further I heard 3m acquired ventureshield, if ya can't beat em' goin em'

MBS63

The line will border you if you see it everyday. Wrap the whole front (hood, both fender & bumper) then you won't see the line. Last time I saw a Carrera GT at the track. The whole car wa wrapped. The car weight increased by 50%

cmcjo

I just noticed on my hood that I have 3 stone chips that stand out bad in a black S and would have been prevented if I had the 3m (or other) plastic covering.

I think it is best to do the entire hood and you wont see any lines. In my Carrera GT I have the entire hood covered and you cant notice it at all.

ucsdsig

I had Ventureshield applied to the front bumper, headlamps, foglights, side mirrors, and a custom 30" piece for the hood on my E.

Yes, I can see a faint line on the hood at certain angles. But I'd rather live with the line than having numerous rock chips. The front end of my GS430 looks like crap after 3 years of So. Cal. driving.

trumpet1

+1. Had it on a Lexus and hated it. (The 3M and the Lexus).

jbondox

look into ventureshield, I seen 3 types, VS, 3M, and Avery. VS by far looked the best. Hell Porsche offers 3M from the factory, looks like **** though due to it being 1/4" shy of the edge. The VS tech in my area folds the ends over. I can post pics of several vehicles with the VS on it, if you need to or PM you with them and you can post them. you can't tell from a few feet away that it has it on it.

RajwanyS550

the dealer is offering me 3m protection on the blk S550. they will give me 5year warranty against discoloring or any other problems with it. should I get it. price is $699. need help. Iam worried about chips.

jbondox

$699 is cheaper than repainting the hood which seems to always come back with buffer swirls

rasheed1397

The "Road Warrior" looks interesting...see link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCyZv...=youtube_gdata

I only wonder how temporary it is?

fbracer

Couple of interesting articles regarding clear bras:

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...ear-bra-edges/
http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...a-maintenance/
http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...al-and-detail/

jprescott

I have the front, side mirror,door trim and fender wrap. Can't see unless you are looking. I would only recommend for city dwellers. I won't bother on my next car. Even though it does not detract I don't see an upside for me particularly on non-black exterior

rasheed1397

Thanks fbracer for the informative links and thanks jprescott for your insight.