Another 981 S (Plus XPEL Ultimate film)
Discussion
Finally got round to doing a write up about the car and Paintshield’s Xpel Ultimate film – to date!
Some of you might be aware of how I came to order a new Porsche 981 S, for those of you that aren’t, here’s the story…
I’ve never liked Porsches. There, I said it. A brave statement in this forum but its true. I test drove a 996 C2, didn’t like it. Then a 997 C2S, didn’t like that either. No idea why. I’ve been constantly surprised that I don’t like 911s but I don’t for some reason. I even test drove a 993 and a 964 (targa) before I bought my 1930 Ford Model A Phaeton (I went back decade by decade till I found something I liked, it took 8 decades!). Didn’t like them either. As for the Boxster, I disliked them with equal confusion.
So how come I bought a Porsche?
My garage stores an E92 M3, a road legal MK Indy R track car and the aforementioned Model A but my daily driver and commuter was an R56 John Cooper Works Mini. The Mini was great fun, discrete, easily parked and had all the gadgets. It wasn’t particularly comfortable though and a tad rattly. However, I was happy with it for the purpose it was intended.
Then my business partner rang me one morning to ask if I would pick him up from Porsche Leeds as he had dropped his Cayman S off for a service. I knew it was a bad idea but I went to collect him all the same.
Sure enough, when I drove into their car park I was immediately hit by an unexpected sight. I don’t know if I just hadn’t noticed any press about them or had dismissed them out of hand but it was the first time I set eyes on the new 981 Boxster, and I loved it.
My first impressions, echoed in the press and on Pistonheads, was it looked like a mini Carrera GT. I loved the looks of the car instantly. But I had loved the looks of the 911s I had test driven so when I was tempted into a test drive by Brian at Porsche Leeds I didn’t hold out high hopes. Was my Porsche Gremlin going to pop up yet again?
Suffice to say, I’m sat at my desk in the garage with a new 981S sat behind me.
So, bought on whim against all previous experiences and contrary to my long held belief I would never get on with a Porsche. 2 weeks after deliver, what do I think?
Aesthetics
I still think it looks like a mini Carrera GT, in other words, fantastic. It looks, for me, much more aggressive and properly proportioned than previous Boxsters. It looks wide, my wife didn’t want to drive it at first because she said it was too wide but I measured it and it’s the same width as her Tiguan. This translates to a squat, and combined with the 20inch wheels and deep side intakes, aggressive stance. I love the hard line that rakes down the door and into the rear quarter that gives the car a stocky look on the rear panel.
My E92 M3 is white, white with black wheels, black interior and, well its basically black and white with the exception of the rear lights. I love it but my wife doesn’t like it, says its too “flash” so, as a nod to peace and quiet I agreed to order the Porsche in Agate Grey with black leather. As soon as it went to build I regretted it. It’s a sports car, a roadster for goodness sake. Surely it should be yellow, red or bright blue with polka dots?
But as soon as I saw the car I knew she had been right (she’s still wrong about the M3 though). Agate Grey looks fantastic. Ok, it isn’t flashy but it looks classy and sets the car’s lines off superbly. In person the paint is deep and provides superb reflections and shades as the car moves and light changes. With the added option of 20 inch Carrera Classic wheels which go extremely well with Agate with a standard grey and silver finish it just works.
A final comment on the paint. It is of much better quality than the paint on my M3. Let’s be honest, the underside of either of the boots is of better quality paint finish than my M3.
Interior
There’s a rattle in the roof somewhere. Maybe I shouldn’t start on a negative, but there’s a bloody rattle in the roof mechanism somewhere behind the drivers head. It isn’t much and I suspect it’ll disappear suddenly but it’s irritating for the moment. Not enough to go back to the dealer yet so I’ll wait and see. The Sports Exhaust (see later) and decent sound system are helping in this regard.
Right, now that’s out of the way what about the interior? I went for full black leather, sports seats plus with 2 way electric and aluminium trim and it looks and feels great, a really nice place to be. The fit and finish (apart from the aforesaid rattle) is second to none. “Firm” is a word that springs to mind, very Teutonic by which I mean it feels very defined, clean cut and err, “resolute”.
It feels like the interior instruments (the centre console houses a myriad of buttons) are a bit fiddly right now but that could simply be familiarity. For example, I find iDrive in the m3 easy and don’t need to look for most things, I just know the clicks. I suspect the same will come in the Porsche with time.
I opted for the Sports Design steering wheel. It looks great (although a full aluminium interior doesn’t get you matching aluminium on the wheel) and I would choose it again but the lack of steering wheel buttons means you need to use the dash buttons more than you might like. It is possible to use the 3rd stalk (right hand side of the wheel) to control nav, phone, music and other features via the smaller instrument located screen but it lacks some features and you do find yourself groping beyond the gearstick for some buttons and dials (volume etc). The heater controls feel like a compromise given the space they had left too. Not ideal.
Driving
Right let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. If you buy a 981 and don’t get the Sports Exhaust you’re not getting the full experience. It sounds absolutely fantastic when on and still sounds good off. You might have read that there is little difference on or off but in my experience, there is a marked difference. With PSE on though you’re treat to a crescendo of deep popping, cracking, spitting and a fantastic, deep throaty howl when tickling the loud pedal that’s reminiscent of Brian Blessed being attacked by rabid lions (can lions catch rabies?). Best £1400 I have ever spent and that includes a very memorable week in Bangkok (a tale that I’ll save for another time).
I habitually hit the sport button when I get in so most of my driving is in Sports mode with the PSE on (as it activates it). I flick it off for motorway or heavy traffic. I’ve not really felt the need to flick the PASM on but I understand it is active at all times.
The steering is superb. Perfect weighting and centres nicely. I can only compare it to my M3 and my Indy R (it’s pointless comparing it to the Model A which I believe has steering but its more like navigating a barge through the suez canal than driving). Obviously it isn’t as direct and nor does it provide the feedback of the Indy R which has basically a metal stick connected to the wheels. A more fair comparison is the M3 and I have to say I find it provides as much feedback and is just as direct allowing for pinpoint steering. On full lock at low speeds it "jumps" but I read on PH that that’s common for mid engine roadsters? No idea why.
The manual gearbox is a joy. Solid, precise and satisfying gear changes are a particular pleasure that I'm very happy I'll continue to enjoy. I dont own any paddle gearbox cars (the Indy R is sequential though) and I'll continue to avoid them whilst I still have the use of my left leg.
Its quick, quicker than I thought from test drives and the Silverstone day. As I become more familiar with it I’m wringing more from it. It could handle much more power though and would, I’m sure, be happy with over 400bhp (an R version maybe Porsche?).
The handling is neutral for the most part. Now I think about it I've had no understeer at all and any oversteer is easily managed although I havent driven it with all aids off yet.It’s certainly sure footed enough and is much less tail happy than the M3. When it has stepped out on me I’ve had the aids on and not really had to do much.
I have to be honest and admit I haven’t explored the car’s limits too much yet. The combination of a new car, my current lack of knowledge of the car and crappy weather, not to mention mud on the roads near where I live means I’ve not yet pushed it too much on the twisties. I say that but Porsche claims combined consumption figures 35.3mpg for the Boxster S and I'm getting just under 21mpg average so I'm not hanging about. I’ll wait till I know the car better before turning everything off and then I can provide some proper feedback on handling etc.
Mr Harris, if you read any of these posts, you're right about the handbrake but you're wrong (in my humble opinion) about the heel toe positioning of the pedals, its absolutely fine (I have size 8 feet).
As a daily commuter
I like my cars clean. Always have, always will do. So since I use the Porsche as my commuter (York to Pudsey and back 4 days a week generally) it’s been a pleasant surprise to find it takes half the time to clean as the M3 (its smaller and it isn’t bloody white) and I can easily get my hands into the wheels so I won’t be taking them off 4 times a year to clean (wahoo!). I’m pretty sure the Xpel ultimate film is helping here too (see below).
Its comfy, the heated seats get toasty quick and you can happily have the roof down at this time of year so long as you have a decent coat on. The sound system is good enough (I have the sounds system plus, in retrospect though I think I would opt for BOSE as the speakers are fine for radio, digital and CD music but there’s a tiny bit of reverb when on the phone. Dunno if BOSE would solve that?).
It’s a bit tight for a colleague that I pick up. He’s 6’3” and around 18 stone. He’s ok other than headroom.
Hmm, what else? Cruises nicely on the motorway. With PSE off it’s quiet enough, I think that’s it. Oh, no it isn’t, DAB, no flipping DAB! Ok, I knew this when I ordered it but its still bloody silly. No Radio 6 Music on the commute? Grr.
Gadgets, kit and trim
There’s no DAB option. What? I mentioned that already? Ok, ok. Ill shut up. There’s no DAB option though. It’s 2012 for goodness sake. Sorry, sorry, I won’t mention it again. DAB!! Shh.
The hands free phone system is the best I’ve used. I have an iPhone 5 and drove back from Leeds on country roads at up to 60mph (honest officer cough) with the roof off on Friday and had 2 conversations without the other person realising I had the roof down until I told them. Clear as a bell.
I love the 2nd screen in the instruments and as mentioned earlier, you can change tracks and albums, make, answer and hang up calls and control other features including the sat nav (to a degree) through the 3rd stalk on the right hand side of the wheel.
Options
What wouldn’t I be without? PSE obviously, it makes the car. Err, full leather and aluminium trim for sure. The 20 inch wheels definitely. PCM and the phone kit without a doubt. Hard to say on PASM. Is it making a difference? Dunno, the car handles superbly thus far but as I haven’t driven one without PASM I’ll have to stay out of that particular debate.
Manual gearbox? Absolutely. But that’s a personal choice (aren’t all options!) and I never liked paddles etc.
What else? I think I mentioned the steering wheel. For feel and aesthetics, I would definitely go for the Sport Design wheel but for practicality then the multi function has to be the better choice. I do miss having the buttons to hand but I love the look of the sports design more and that remains my preferred choice.
Apart from the benefit when in motorway average speed zones the cruise control is as much of a waste of time as it is on any other car. Today’s motorways are too busy and full of idiots with about as much lane discipline as a drunken blind man driving an articulated lorry with jelly for tyres for it to be much use. I wouldnt bother with it again.
The boot and bonnet both drop away out of sight so front and rear parking sensors, especially with a wife who is 5’2”, is a must.
Paintshield XPEL Ultimate Film
I hate stone chips, I also hate swirls. Drive me mad when I’m cleaning the car. We’ve all been there. Cruising along, singing away and the world suddenly slows down, everything moves into slow motion as if Keanu Reaves is about to do an unimaginably impossible kung foo move and you watch it, the flying stone, as it arcs towards your shiny new bonnet. And that’s it, you watch it and bang, you’ve acquired a nice new chip.
Well I’m not having it anymore. Literally.
The car was collected from Porsche Leeds by Paintshield in their covered trailer and was treated to full paint correction by Roy from Pro Valeting over 2 days before being fitted with a full coverage XPEL Ultimate Film.
This new film not only protects from stone chips but is self healing so scratches, swirls and other typically annoying marks on your bodywork just wash away with hot water or, if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where the sun shines occasionally (I.e. not North Yorkshire) the sun's heat will heal the film itself.
Too good to be true? I washed the car today, noticed some swirls on the boot lid and just poured a jug of hot water over the boot and they’re gone. Just washed away! Combined with a complete lack of stone chips after 2 weeks driving and I’m very happy.
As for the fit and finish I can’t fault Paintshield’s work. The film is pre-cut so there’s no cutting on the car so the paint work underneath will remain as new for years. My only mildly negative (it isnt really) comment is that the film isn’t entirely wrapped around every panel, it stops at the edge of some panels but I guess that’s just how the panel designs are cut. You can only see the film if you get very close to the bodywork and even then you have to look closely so it doesn’t matter really. My only fear was that the film would lift in these areas but they assure me it won’t (its guaranteed anyway) and after 2 washes it’s all firmly affixed to the car.
I’m sure I’ve missed loads so feel free to ask any questions about the car or Paintshield and yes, the thread is worthless without pictures and I’ll add some ASAP. Probably tomorrow.
Cheers
Rich
Some of you might be aware of how I came to order a new Porsche 981 S, for those of you that aren’t, here’s the story…
I’ve never liked Porsches. There, I said it. A brave statement in this forum but its true. I test drove a 996 C2, didn’t like it. Then a 997 C2S, didn’t like that either. No idea why. I’ve been constantly surprised that I don’t like 911s but I don’t for some reason. I even test drove a 993 and a 964 (targa) before I bought my 1930 Ford Model A Phaeton (I went back decade by decade till I found something I liked, it took 8 decades!). Didn’t like them either. As for the Boxster, I disliked them with equal confusion.
So how come I bought a Porsche?
My garage stores an E92 M3, a road legal MK Indy R track car and the aforementioned Model A but my daily driver and commuter was an R56 John Cooper Works Mini. The Mini was great fun, discrete, easily parked and had all the gadgets. It wasn’t particularly comfortable though and a tad rattly. However, I was happy with it for the purpose it was intended.
Then my business partner rang me one morning to ask if I would pick him up from Porsche Leeds as he had dropped his Cayman S off for a service. I knew it was a bad idea but I went to collect him all the same.
Sure enough, when I drove into their car park I was immediately hit by an unexpected sight. I don’t know if I just hadn’t noticed any press about them or had dismissed them out of hand but it was the first time I set eyes on the new 981 Boxster, and I loved it.
My first impressions, echoed in the press and on Pistonheads, was it looked like a mini Carrera GT. I loved the looks of the car instantly. But I had loved the looks of the 911s I had test driven so when I was tempted into a test drive by Brian at Porsche Leeds I didn’t hold out high hopes. Was my Porsche Gremlin going to pop up yet again?
Suffice to say, I’m sat at my desk in the garage with a new 981S sat behind me.
So, bought on whim against all previous experiences and contrary to my long held belief I would never get on with a Porsche. 2 weeks after deliver, what do I think?
Aesthetics
I still think it looks like a mini Carrera GT, in other words, fantastic. It looks, for me, much more aggressive and properly proportioned than previous Boxsters. It looks wide, my wife didn’t want to drive it at first because she said it was too wide but I measured it and it’s the same width as her Tiguan. This translates to a squat, and combined with the 20inch wheels and deep side intakes, aggressive stance. I love the hard line that rakes down the door and into the rear quarter that gives the car a stocky look on the rear panel.
My E92 M3 is white, white with black wheels, black interior and, well its basically black and white with the exception of the rear lights. I love it but my wife doesn’t like it, says its too “flash” so, as a nod to peace and quiet I agreed to order the Porsche in Agate Grey with black leather. As soon as it went to build I regretted it. It’s a sports car, a roadster for goodness sake. Surely it should be yellow, red or bright blue with polka dots?
But as soon as I saw the car I knew she had been right (she’s still wrong about the M3 though). Agate Grey looks fantastic. Ok, it isn’t flashy but it looks classy and sets the car’s lines off superbly. In person the paint is deep and provides superb reflections and shades as the car moves and light changes. With the added option of 20 inch Carrera Classic wheels which go extremely well with Agate with a standard grey and silver finish it just works.
A final comment on the paint. It is of much better quality than the paint on my M3. Let’s be honest, the underside of either of the boots is of better quality paint finish than my M3.
Interior
There’s a rattle in the roof somewhere. Maybe I shouldn’t start on a negative, but there’s a bloody rattle in the roof mechanism somewhere behind the drivers head. It isn’t much and I suspect it’ll disappear suddenly but it’s irritating for the moment. Not enough to go back to the dealer yet so I’ll wait and see. The Sports Exhaust (see later) and decent sound system are helping in this regard.
Right, now that’s out of the way what about the interior? I went for full black leather, sports seats plus with 2 way electric and aluminium trim and it looks and feels great, a really nice place to be. The fit and finish (apart from the aforesaid rattle) is second to none. “Firm” is a word that springs to mind, very Teutonic by which I mean it feels very defined, clean cut and err, “resolute”.
It feels like the interior instruments (the centre console houses a myriad of buttons) are a bit fiddly right now but that could simply be familiarity. For example, I find iDrive in the m3 easy and don’t need to look for most things, I just know the clicks. I suspect the same will come in the Porsche with time.
I opted for the Sports Design steering wheel. It looks great (although a full aluminium interior doesn’t get you matching aluminium on the wheel) and I would choose it again but the lack of steering wheel buttons means you need to use the dash buttons more than you might like. It is possible to use the 3rd stalk (right hand side of the wheel) to control nav, phone, music and other features via the smaller instrument located screen but it lacks some features and you do find yourself groping beyond the gearstick for some buttons and dials (volume etc). The heater controls feel like a compromise given the space they had left too. Not ideal.
Driving
Right let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. If you buy a 981 and don’t get the Sports Exhaust you’re not getting the full experience. It sounds absolutely fantastic when on and still sounds good off. You might have read that there is little difference on or off but in my experience, there is a marked difference. With PSE on though you’re treat to a crescendo of deep popping, cracking, spitting and a fantastic, deep throaty howl when tickling the loud pedal that’s reminiscent of Brian Blessed being attacked by rabid lions (can lions catch rabies?). Best £1400 I have ever spent and that includes a very memorable week in Bangkok (a tale that I’ll save for another time).
I habitually hit the sport button when I get in so most of my driving is in Sports mode with the PSE on (as it activates it). I flick it off for motorway or heavy traffic. I’ve not really felt the need to flick the PASM on but I understand it is active at all times.
The steering is superb. Perfect weighting and centres nicely. I can only compare it to my M3 and my Indy R (it’s pointless comparing it to the Model A which I believe has steering but its more like navigating a barge through the suez canal than driving). Obviously it isn’t as direct and nor does it provide the feedback of the Indy R which has basically a metal stick connected to the wheels. A more fair comparison is the M3 and I have to say I find it provides as much feedback and is just as direct allowing for pinpoint steering. On full lock at low speeds it "jumps" but I read on PH that that’s common for mid engine roadsters? No idea why.
The manual gearbox is a joy. Solid, precise and satisfying gear changes are a particular pleasure that I'm very happy I'll continue to enjoy. I dont own any paddle gearbox cars (the Indy R is sequential though) and I'll continue to avoid them whilst I still have the use of my left leg.
Its quick, quicker than I thought from test drives and the Silverstone day. As I become more familiar with it I’m wringing more from it. It could handle much more power though and would, I’m sure, be happy with over 400bhp (an R version maybe Porsche?).
The handling is neutral for the most part. Now I think about it I've had no understeer at all and any oversteer is easily managed although I havent driven it with all aids off yet.It’s certainly sure footed enough and is much less tail happy than the M3. When it has stepped out on me I’ve had the aids on and not really had to do much.
I have to be honest and admit I haven’t explored the car’s limits too much yet. The combination of a new car, my current lack of knowledge of the car and crappy weather, not to mention mud on the roads near where I live means I’ve not yet pushed it too much on the twisties. I say that but Porsche claims combined consumption figures 35.3mpg for the Boxster S and I'm getting just under 21mpg average so I'm not hanging about. I’ll wait till I know the car better before turning everything off and then I can provide some proper feedback on handling etc.
Mr Harris, if you read any of these posts, you're right about the handbrake but you're wrong (in my humble opinion) about the heel toe positioning of the pedals, its absolutely fine (I have size 8 feet).
As a daily commuter
I like my cars clean. Always have, always will do. So since I use the Porsche as my commuter (York to Pudsey and back 4 days a week generally) it’s been a pleasant surprise to find it takes half the time to clean as the M3 (its smaller and it isn’t bloody white) and I can easily get my hands into the wheels so I won’t be taking them off 4 times a year to clean (wahoo!). I’m pretty sure the Xpel ultimate film is helping here too (see below).
Its comfy, the heated seats get toasty quick and you can happily have the roof down at this time of year so long as you have a decent coat on. The sound system is good enough (I have the sounds system plus, in retrospect though I think I would opt for BOSE as the speakers are fine for radio, digital and CD music but there’s a tiny bit of reverb when on the phone. Dunno if BOSE would solve that?).
It’s a bit tight for a colleague that I pick up. He’s 6’3” and around 18 stone. He’s ok other than headroom.
Hmm, what else? Cruises nicely on the motorway. With PSE off it’s quiet enough, I think that’s it. Oh, no it isn’t, DAB, no flipping DAB! Ok, I knew this when I ordered it but its still bloody silly. No Radio 6 Music on the commute? Grr.
Gadgets, kit and trim
There’s no DAB option. What? I mentioned that already? Ok, ok. Ill shut up. There’s no DAB option though. It’s 2012 for goodness sake. Sorry, sorry, I won’t mention it again. DAB!! Shh.
The hands free phone system is the best I’ve used. I have an iPhone 5 and drove back from Leeds on country roads at up to 60mph (honest officer cough) with the roof off on Friday and had 2 conversations without the other person realising I had the roof down until I told them. Clear as a bell.
I love the 2nd screen in the instruments and as mentioned earlier, you can change tracks and albums, make, answer and hang up calls and control other features including the sat nav (to a degree) through the 3rd stalk on the right hand side of the wheel.
Options
What wouldn’t I be without? PSE obviously, it makes the car. Err, full leather and aluminium trim for sure. The 20 inch wheels definitely. PCM and the phone kit without a doubt. Hard to say on PASM. Is it making a difference? Dunno, the car handles superbly thus far but as I haven’t driven one without PASM I’ll have to stay out of that particular debate.
Manual gearbox? Absolutely. But that’s a personal choice (aren’t all options!) and I never liked paddles etc.
What else? I think I mentioned the steering wheel. For feel and aesthetics, I would definitely go for the Sport Design wheel but for practicality then the multi function has to be the better choice. I do miss having the buttons to hand but I love the look of the sports design more and that remains my preferred choice.
Apart from the benefit when in motorway average speed zones the cruise control is as much of a waste of time as it is on any other car. Today’s motorways are too busy and full of idiots with about as much lane discipline as a drunken blind man driving an articulated lorry with jelly for tyres for it to be much use. I wouldnt bother with it again.
The boot and bonnet both drop away out of sight so front and rear parking sensors, especially with a wife who is 5’2”, is a must.
Paintshield XPEL Ultimate Film
I hate stone chips, I also hate swirls. Drive me mad when I’m cleaning the car. We’ve all been there. Cruising along, singing away and the world suddenly slows down, everything moves into slow motion as if Keanu Reaves is about to do an unimaginably impossible kung foo move and you watch it, the flying stone, as it arcs towards your shiny new bonnet. And that’s it, you watch it and bang, you’ve acquired a nice new chip.
Well I’m not having it anymore. Literally.
The car was collected from Porsche Leeds by Paintshield in their covered trailer and was treated to full paint correction by Roy from Pro Valeting over 2 days before being fitted with a full coverage XPEL Ultimate Film.
This new film not only protects from stone chips but is self healing so scratches, swirls and other typically annoying marks on your bodywork just wash away with hot water or, if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where the sun shines occasionally (I.e. not North Yorkshire) the sun's heat will heal the film itself.
Too good to be true? I washed the car today, noticed some swirls on the boot lid and just poured a jug of hot water over the boot and they’re gone. Just washed away! Combined with a complete lack of stone chips after 2 weeks driving and I’m very happy.
As for the fit and finish I can’t fault Paintshield’s work. The film is pre-cut so there’s no cutting on the car so the paint work underneath will remain as new for years. My only mildly negative (it isnt really) comment is that the film isn’t entirely wrapped around every panel, it stops at the edge of some panels but I guess that’s just how the panel designs are cut. You can only see the film if you get very close to the bodywork and even then you have to look closely so it doesn’t matter really. My only fear was that the film would lift in these areas but they assure me it won’t (its guaranteed anyway) and after 2 washes it’s all firmly affixed to the car.
I’m sure I’ve missed loads so feel free to ask any questions about the car or Paintshield and yes, the thread is worthless without pictures and I’ll add some ASAP. Probably tomorrow.
Cheers
Rich
Edited by _Leg_ on Sunday 9th December 22:26
Cool, glad you're enjoying it.
I'm really regretting not getting Paintshield or similar. White car and stone chips, not good. I washed mine today and noticed I've picked up a fair few already.
Still loving the car. Drove it down the best bit of the B660 today and it's still brilliant. Roads are nice and slippy which makes for a bit more entertainment exiting tighter bends. Love it!!
I'm really regretting not getting Paintshield or similar. White car and stone chips, not good. I washed mine today and noticed I've picked up a fair few already.
Still loving the car. Drove it down the best bit of the B660 today and it's still brilliant. Roads are nice and slippy which makes for a bit more entertainment exiting tighter bends. Love it!!
dunno about film protection as it still feels like a condom to me.
The new ones are very good as it is. there is, however, something attractive about cars that have been well maintained but wear their road scars. The patina through the years is something to be cherished but.. I can see the attraction of paint protection on the original paintwork.
I would just get my front end re-sprayed if I couldn't stand it. And, if you have a bit of a fender bender.... there goes the film. All in all, unless it is lacquered carbon fibre (which could go all milky), I wouldn't bother.
But, hey, if it floats your boat....... GET IT
The new ones are very good as it is. there is, however, something attractive about cars that have been well maintained but wear their road scars. The patina through the years is something to be cherished but.. I can see the attraction of paint protection on the original paintwork.
I would just get my front end re-sprayed if I couldn't stand it. And, if you have a bit of a fender bender.... there goes the film. All in all, unless it is lacquered carbon fibre (which could go all milky), I wouldn't bother.
But, hey, if it floats your boat....... GET IT
I've got Paintshield on my car and I'm very impressed with it. I read somewhere (probably on their own website !!) that the film can be wrapped around panels to avoid an 'edge' but certain manufacturers (not named !!) have stated that if a panel is removed to continue the wrap behind it the warranty will be invalidated........
The XPEL Ultimate film is the most expensive they do I believe but as it self heals scratches and swirls, I decided to go for it. £3700 for a full kit fitted to a 981S (inc VAT). The detail was on top of that. Expensive, but its not about the car, its about chips, swirls and scratches not annoying me and what price peace of mind eh.
Problem with a respray is that they never match properly unless you get a full spray plus you have to live with the chips in the meantime too. Plus, who would get a respray for swirls?
Problem with a respray is that they never match properly unless you get a full spray plus you have to live with the chips in the meantime too. Plus, who would get a respray for swirls?
Roadrunner996 said:
I've got Paintshield on my car and I'm very impressed with it. I read somewhere (probably on their own website !!) that the film can be wrapped around panels to avoid an 'edge' but certain manufacturers (not named !!) have stated that if a panel is removed to continue the wrap behind it the warranty will be invalidated........
Yup, they mentioned that. Makes sense. It seems to be stuck down firmly so shouldnt be an issue.Edited by _Leg_ on Monday 10th December 14:02
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