VentureShield - is it worth the $$$$?

[tripberger]

I am taking delivery of my AW M3 Coupe next Monday and I got a quote today for a VertureShield clear bra covering the entire hood, front fenders, mirrors, headlights and front bumper for $1595. How does that sound and is it worth it? I can have a decent new exhaust for that amount! I probably drive around 8,000 miles a year tops and the car lives in the garage most of the time as I work at home 4 days a week. I also have a Jeep Wrangler which I drive in the snow. I'm 99% sure I will never track the car. It is worth it for me?

[ES_TRADER]

yes. i just got this. u will be happy u have it when ur approaching a semi or dump truck on the fwy up ahead. i used to get paranoid as hell when i see those and either slow down or change lanes all the way to the left...now i just drive up and pass as usual..no more fear of rock chips!

[MMMorish]

Yes, money well spent.

[smmmurf]

money wellllllllllllllll spent

[F82_SID]

Originally Posted by richpuer

yes. i just got this. u will be happy u have it when ur approaching a semi or dump truck on the fwy up ahead. i used to get paranoid as hell when i see those and either slow down or change lanes all the way to the left...now i just drive up and pass as usual..no more fear of rock chips!

I think that what you might be trying to say is that a clear bra is definitely worth it but I think what the OP might be getting at is, is Ventrueshield specifically worth it?" Am I right with that statement?

If that is your question then I would say no. I just had a very reputable shop attempt to do a full wrap on the hood of my M with Ventureshield (because it is one of the only choices for a hood that size) and if came out looking like crap! They re-did the hood 3 times and it continued to show numorus rub marks and LOTS of scratches in the film. My shop then offered to use this new very expensive film made by Avery Dennison with nano-fusion on my car as a test and let me tell you, the difference is remarkable! The AD film is much more glossy and shows no scratches or imperfections at all! You can get right up on my hood and not tell that there is anything there. I wouldnt be happy any other way.

If you were just doing the front of the hood then I think 3M would be better but I would definitely not recommended Venture for a full hood wrap. You should try and find a shop that can get their hands on AD nano-fusion film. It is defiantly worth it! If you are ever in Denver I can tell you the place to go to.

Also, as far as the price goes....My shop charged me 1500 for full hood, head lights, full bumper, top of back bumper, handle cups, PLUS 5% tint all around. They are the best!

[evilspiritM3]

That price sounds a little high, but I have the 3M film, not the ventureshield. I have a Space Grey car and the film is barely noticable. I had the 3M film on a white car and while I was glad to have it because it did an amazing job protecting, the film was noticable and not as attractive I would have liked after it was on for more than two years. If you are looking for protection and piece of mind then do it.

[mPlasticDesign]

I paid <$600 for 1/3 hood, bumper, mirrors only. Which was fine with me.

[ChrisK]

It's worth it on every color but White. Ask enough people and they will tell you it turns yellow. Every ventureshield installer I asked admitted that the film will turn slightly yellow over time. It's especially noticeable on white.

If I see a dump truck, I change lanes.

[Gkap]

Originally Posted by evilspiritM3

That price sounds a little high, but I have the 3M film, not the ventureshield. I have a Space Grey car and the film is barely noticable. I had the 3M film on a white car and while I was glad to have it because it did an amazing job protecting, the film was noticable and not as attractive I would have liked after it was on for more than two years. If you are looking for protection and piece of mind then do it.

wouldnt the film be less noticeable on a white car then on a darker color car?

[joelk]

I believe I've got the 3M product on my black 135i. full front coverage (all hood, all front fenders etc) It has done an amazing job at protecting the paint but the plastic looks like crap. it's gotten stains in it, off-color in places, and makes the car look bad quite frankly. Best thing I can say about it is that it will help resale quite a bit ... but I'm not even sure i'm going to get my money back w/ the resale (meaning I'm not even sure the higher resale value difference will equal the cost of the plastic in the first place).

With my M, I'm on the fence...think it is a great concept but really worried about it aging again... maybe my dealer used an inferior product. I'm not sure. maybe a top-of-the-line product won't stain and scratch? maybe i should just relax and not worry about paint chips and enjoy the car ... in a way it is like putting plastic on your couch...

[BigHat]

It's a "must buy" with the current soft water-base paints BMW uses.

In at about $1,495 for the VS treatment like the OP has been quoted, but I did get the front pillars, the lip under the trunk and the areas right behind the rear wheels done too. Go with the entire hood. I have had clear bras on my last four cars and it's just a great investment if you like keeping your car nice. The 1/3 coverage was all i had on the first three -- it's better than nothing, but with full hood coverage it's just "not there" and looks so much better.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by Gkap

wouldnt the film be less noticeable on a white car then on a darker color car?

I think it is less noticeable on white personally. Especially if there were any scratches on the clear bra, they would be more noticeable on darker colors. Also, the VS has a warranty against yellowing or cracking...etc. Had mine for 2yrs with no issues. My installer would replace under warranty if any of those issues were to arise.

[F82_SID]

The new AD nano-fusion film is guaranteed not to yellow and the lifetime warranty covers parts AND labor for life!

Check out this review:
http://www.planet-9.com/porsche-care...rotection.html

Everybody says this stuff is revolutionary and hands down the best stuff they have ever worked with. It was featured at last years SEMA!

[ES_TRADER]

i have ventureshield on bumper only...i see no yellowing or color changes on my AW....looks immaculate...cant even notice its there. they did a great job putting it on...from my driving experience, last 20 years or so, ive seen roughly 80% of highway damage on the bumper and the remaining 20% goes on the hood, windshield, fenders...for those, i will just use touchup paint and a toothpick, call it a day...

[devo]

Yes to clear bra for sure. I'd go 3M rather than Venture. VS scratches too easily. There are not a lot of places that can do this job right so do your research locating a good installer.

I can tell you Premier on the west coast and Detailing Dynamics in NYC. DD did my gt3. They do wonderful work. If someone wants $600 like stated above, run...

[joelk]

Originally Posted by E92_SID

The new AD nano-fusion film is guaranteed not to yellow and the lifetime warranty covers parts AND labor for life!

Check out this review:
http://www.planet-9.com/porsche-care...rotection.html

Everybody says this stuff is revolutionary and hands down the best stuff they have ever worked with. It was featured at last years SEMA!

thanks!

edit: pretty poor dealer network so far... not even a shop in atlanta.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by devo

Yes to clear bra for sure. I'd go 3M rather than Venture. VS scratches too easily.....

It may not matter anymore because I heard 3M bought out VS. They may be using the exact same stuff. But VS has shown in several independent tests that they outperform 3M. I have even been able to buff out small surface scratches on my VS film.

[5erman]

I take it you dont wax this stuff Why not just use a good layer of wax every month and keep it shiny and new.

Problem with this stuff is you cant buff or wax or polish your car and give it that really glossy extreme polished look with a coat of zaino. That sucks

[tripberger]

I will be Zaino'ing the car, I guess it will look odd then since the front half of the car will not be as shinny because of the VentureShield

[Kurohouou]

I paid about 500 for 3M clear shield put on the front bumper, head lights, 1/3 hood, part of the fenders and the mirrors. Was a service provided by the dealer so they wrapped it into the price of the car. They did a pretty good job, not 100% perfect but much better then the aftermarket people that did my old car. I'm happy with it and feel much safer driving on the streets since my car is black and the worst color to have in regards to paint chips.

[5erman]

Originally Posted by Kurohouou

I paid about 500 for 3M clear shield put on the front bumper, head lights, 1/3 hood, part of the fenders and the mirrors. Was a service provided by the dealer so they wrapped it into the price of the car. They did a pretty good job, not 100% perfect but much better then the aftermarket people that did my old car. I'm happy with it and feel much safer driving on the streets since my car is black and the worst color to have in regards to paint chips.

Can you post some pics? Do you really NOT see this at all and is totally not visible?

I guess my thought is why couldnt you just get a new paint job on your bumper or maybe even the hood every 5 years. Seems like a lot of mess and money to "protect" something that is relatively easy to re-paint in 5 years.

I would really miss waxing mine

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by 5erman

I take it you dont wax this stuff Why not just use a good layer of wax every month and keep it shiny and new.

Problem with this stuff is you cant buff or wax or polish your car and give it that really glossy extreme polished look with a coat of zaino. That sucks

I fully agree.

Why do you guys clear bra your cars?

I never understood this principal...