emmholla

Hello All,
I picked a new to me 2018 G63 AMG today in Designo Magno black. I am looking for advice on two things. How to protect the truck. Xpel? The matte color scares me a bit. I plan on holding to the car for a very long time. So I would like to find a way to protect the paint. Secondly, I am in suburban Atlanta and these cars are often stolen. Are there any anti theft recommendations for the G? Lojack, an aftermarket alarm system? I'd love you guys' thoughts.

Thanks.

TuLsaViPeR

I rent my GWagon on Turo occasionally, so I wanted to be able to track it reliably, and inexpensively.

I use a spare Android cell phone and Google maps location sharing on. I also have a Google account just for that phone. I use cable-WiFi, so whenever it hits an open Cable Network it will give a more precise location. Most cell phone services allow you to have extra phones for no extra charge but you just have to share the minutes.

I have it connected in the back to the plug there.

I had a fleet tracker but the cost was $29 a month wayyyyyy to expensive.

TuLsaViPeR

The best way to protect your paint job in my personal opinion is to just keep it clean. Forget all of those expensive coatings. Just wash it once or twice a week. I also use spot free rinse to keep the hard water deposits off. Like what has been mentioned here before keep bird poop and pine far off it. The real key is the spot free rinse, I never dry it spot free rinse and im off.

johnnyderm

XPEL stealth +1

abhatti55

The matte paint holds up extremely well. Rock chips on the front are inevitable so maybe some Xpel there at the very least.

emmholla

Thank all for the replies. Got a couple of Xpel Quotes are to do the entire car the numbers are coming back in the $7k range. I am going to get it done but I will hold off a bit for now and focus on an alarm system. I didn't realize that the anti theft system in this car was not adequate for 2019.

johnnyderm

Get it done early before you get any chips as it'll cost more to address those and then wrap it. If getting it, get it first. Cheers dude!!!

efathalla

Check out this one, live tracking, speed, braking, sharp cornering.. etc

https://www.hum.com/products/hum-plus/
Inbox me if you are interested.

efathalla

Xpel Stealth is the best protection you will ever have.
Super easy to clean and durable.

Ersatzs2

For anti-theft, something that plugs into the OBD-II port is not going to work. Any experienced car thief of the caliber who would be targeting a G would check there immediately and unplug it before proceeding.
It’s gotta be hidden. I like the spare mobile phone idea a lot, especially hardwired with a charger in some hidden location.

TuLsaViPeR

SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!

emmholla

I connected to the Mercedes Me app and there's a LoJack service offered by Mercedes it seems.

Is it necessary to add an aftermarket alarm on a 2018 G?

carforhire

I actually know a guy in Atlanta that had his G stolen also. Hope it never happens to you.

Festertester

I’m getting STEK film installed along with ceramic coating. I learned that it’s very clear (against yellow) and very durable. Picking it up Monday so will see the results.

https://www.stek-usa.com/

also for tracking, Mercedesme should be sufficient. I also have tracker installed, called SkyLINK, on my teenager’s car, it works pretty well and there’s no monthly charge. Paid installation cost at the time of car’s purchase

emmholla

This is what I would like to protect against above all else. I am just trying to figure out how effective the factory 2018 Anti Theft system is.

emmholla

Stek/Xpel which is the better product? Xpel seems to be very pricey but as the old adage goes. 'You get what you pay for'.

Festertester

My installer says stek is better than others - he installed suntek before on my other vehicles, and it’s supposed to be better ... I’m going with him regardless due to quality of his work

DarrVao777

For paint protection, PPF + ceramic coating

For actual protection, I am old school and like to use the Club. I realize it won't deter an advanced car thief but sometimes just seeing it in place will deter the more amateur/novice car thief

I had a buddy who used a car pedal lock to block his clutch. You could probably do the same for the brake pedal but at some point, that's just going to impede how quickly you can pick up and go. Not really necessary in my neck of the woods fortunately as everyone drives nice cars and at home, the car is garaged.

TuLsaViPeR

Hey... I have a Bridge that I want to sell ya. Please PM me. Ill give you a great deal.

n3rd

Xpel pricing is very location dependant. It's quite expensive in the North East. Make SURE you have it installed by someone authorized by Xpel or the warranty is worthless. Suntek is too thin and tears although I've heard they produce a thicker version. 3m had the habit of yellowing also. Xpel Ultimate + ceramic coating makes it so easy to always have a clean car.

Festertester

Agree, suntek feels thin. I have it on 4 of my cars with ceramic coating on top
and it held up pretty well. 3M definitely goes yellow and xpel is not that clear on light colors like silver and white- may be it has gotten better now. On black color, it’d definitely be fine. Let’s see how stek pans out for me..

TuLsaViPeR

All the money you are wasting, you could probably just get a new paint job. 7k you can paint it for that.

TuLsaViPeR

Warranty's are typically worthless. There is always some excuse.

n3rd

Not with Xpel. Have had it on several Porsche’s, RRs and an M3 and they’ve stood behind the warranty when I’ve had to use it.

A car with rock chips, scratches or a respirated front end is always worth less than a perfect one. If you’re spending 140k+ what’s another’s 7 grand.

TuLsaViPeR

So it doesn't work??? I don't have any fancy shmancy coatings, and mine front end is just fine. You're being taken for a ride. Admit it.