Different parts of the country are going to charge different prices. I think that the 700+ quoted is a good price if like others have said it also includes the headlights, fog lights, entire front bumper and mirrors.

I would rather pay more to have an excellent job done then to get a great deal and have it look like crap.

BTW my whole front end is wrapped in Xpel and there is also a strip on top of the rear bumper too.

 

I did some checking around...found an independent installer to do xpel for about 650. That was the best price I found. The dealer offers 3m...and will guarantee it for the length of my ownership. The independent...a guy out of the back of his truck kinda deal..offers three years, but it's a crap shoot if he will even be around.

 

I can see where you might need this in cold climates where they put that "corrosion mixture" of salt and gravel on the roads (I used to live in NJ and PA), but I just don't see it being necessary here in So Cal. I looked closely at a colleague's 2008 MINI today and I couldn't find a single paint chip. I'm going to pass on this. As I said in a previous post, I had it on he 335i that I recently sold and I hated it.

 

They must have really improved the paint on the 2nd gens, because my 06 with 36k miles needs a hood respray to to all of the rock chips!!

 

I find it funny that some people think that spending $700 for front end paint protection is expensive but yet some people have $300-$400 in vinyl stripes/graphics on their car, if paying full retail on all items.. Everything can be done cheaper if you do it yourself.. How many of ya did you own rear sway bar install vs paying the dealer to do it.. $200 bar, install free vs $400-$500 at dealer with labor..

Sure if it was me I'd buy the clearbra and install it myself, but like was mentioned not everybody can do it and if you do order it from Xpel, or 3M it's not cheap to start with and then when you muck it up and have to buy another piece you'll be wishing you had paid the man to start with!!!!

 

Good advice.Orange Crush. Your dead on with your statements.
It makes no sense to wrap the entire hood, I've had two Mini's wrapped, the line you make note of is almost impossible to see and what the heck it doesn't detract from the car, only someone who knows what it is ever notices it. I have a Reef Blue Hampton and with a dark metalic color you have to go out of the way to see where the wrap ends or starts. I know it works, That's all I care.

 

I paid $450 to get the half my hood done, bumper, mirrors, door edges, and door cups. All 3M clear bra with 5 year warranty I believe. But then again, I know the guy and brought 5 cars to him so far, not including countless recommendations.

Definitely shop around!

 

Just bought a 2009 that has half hood, aero kit, lights, mirrors all done with this stuff. I will say it does still look amazing.

 

I've had two Minis, the first one without any film, almost entirely highway driven. After 18 months and 34k miles, it was chipped from the front all the way back to the windshield area. These are little cars and the front seems to attract rocks bouncing off the road. The second car I had the front done with 3M film above the headlight line (on astro black). Yes there's a line from 5 feet away and I keep in cleaned out as part of the detailing. Since I'm keeping the car, even with the film I have there will probably be a hood respray in about 3 years regardless.