[Meantime]

Hey guys. We are taking delivery of X4 M40i (Flamenco Red) soon. I thought of taking standard Protect X service from a dealer, but asked for a quote from local detailers for ceramic coating, and it comes out just £250 more. The product is Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra in this case, applied by a certified detailing company.

Your advice welcome - is this worth paying extra 250 quid for? I know the consensus here is that ceramic coating is always better, but how much better?

Additional condition. We live in an apartment block, so, spending Saturday afternoon washing a car on my driveway is the luxury I do not have. So, looking for "low maintenance" option, for the paint to sustain irregular washes in fairly random places. Thanks for your advice!

[SO8]

I have Protect X and love it ... but I got it for free.
Loads will tell you it is not worth it - but do they have it ?
I do and love it.
Would I buy it ... over a specialist detailer (assuming reviews are stunning) then no.
If you have the choice of paying for Protect X or an independent detailer then I would say the independent would get my money - but do not underestimate Protect X just because it is attached to the brand and not independent. I have had 2 such 'finishes' and can't fault the manufacturer ones ... despite those who say it is cr*p and have probably never had it !!

[clivem2]

I don't know a lot about ceramics but I think there are versions which last better than others, ie 6 month to supposedly 3 years or whatever. If it's a basic ceramic in terms of longevity it may not last any better than GuardX - which I'm pleased with so far. Bear in mind GuardX/ProtectX includes the seats and you get a guarantee which seem to work if you do get a stain.

I can't believe you're still waiting for your car....mine was really quick I suppose.

[Gritty]

How much is the dealship charging? UK car sales are way down, so their detailer is just standing around. Negotiate
Gtechniq is a great product, but in todays market the other top products are also good. It's unfortunitly too easy to copy a formula and get it close to the same product.
It will come down to application and if the dealers detailer applies it properly. Gtechnig is probably better but at twice the price?

[Chopper45]

Originally Posted by Meantime

Hey guys. We are taking delivery of X4 M40i (Flamenco Red) soon. I thought of taking standard Protect X service from a dealer, but asked for a quote from local detailers for ceramic coating, and it comes out just £250 more. The product is Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra in this case, applied by a certified detailing company.

Your advice welcome - is this worth paying extra 250 quid for? I know the consensus here is that ceramic coating is always better, but how much better?

Additional condition. We live in an apartment block, so, spending Saturday afternoon washing a car on my driveway is the luxury I do not have. So, looking for "low maintenance" option, for the paint to sustain irregular washes in fairly random places. Thanks for your advice!

250 extra for Gtechniq Ultra is well worth it. that is apparently good for 9 yrs and the one I'll be putting on.

[JustChris]

Yes that's well worth it. Similar to what I had done.

[Meantime]

Originally Posted by clivem2

I don't know a lot about ceramics but I think there are versions which last better than others, ie 6 month to supposedly 3 years or whatever. If it's a basic ceramic in terms of longevity it may not last any better than GuardX - which I'm pleased with so far. Bear in mind GuardX/ProtectX includes the seats and you get a guarantee which seem to work if you do get a stain.

I can't believe you're still waiting for your car....mine was really quick I suppose.

Ah, the wait is on purpose. From day one I requested to pick up the car in January, not earlier. So it was scheduled for week 50 build initially, only to be accelerated to week 39. The car is in Uk.

Noted about the warranty. The detailing specialists offer this too, and this Gtechniq coating comes with 9 years warranty too. Well, I would feel safer with BMW dealer's warranty.

[Meantime]

Originally Posted by Gritty

How much is the dealship charging? UK car sales are way down, so their detailer is just standing around. Negotiate
Gtechniq is a great product, but in todays market the other top products are also good. It's unfortunitly too easy to copy a formula and get it close to the same product.
It will come down to application and if the dealers detailer applies it properly. Gtechnig is probably better but at twice the price?

Yep, that's the real question, how much they are charging.

Let me put it straight. Gtechniq coating applied by specialists is 850 quid in my case, vs 599 (yes, 599) for Protect X. I know, this is waaaay overpriced, a daylight robbery. But I already pushed my dealer hard on a car discount, and then APR, so don't really want to reopen negotiations. If it was free, that would be another story.

[clivem2]

I don't know how such long paint warranties are given, the coatings can't last that long. I suppose they factor in that warranties will be lost or forgotten.

[Meantime]

Originally Posted by clivem2

I don't know how such long paint warranties are given, the coatings can't last that long. I suppose they factor in that warranties will be lost or forgotten.

I also take it with a pinch of salt, don't expect this to last that long. But simply on the basis that 9 years is better than 5, and much better then 2, makes me to want it more. I know...

Happy to hear you are enjoying your time with Stacia, man. Give us more reviews and hints, as you get used to her more.

[Supa Koopa]

Originally Posted by Meantime

Your advice welcome - is this worth paying extra 250 quid for?

Yes!

[clivem2]

Re-visiting this thread with my experience over 7 months...

I’m sure some of the ceramic products are better than GuardX. What I’m not convinced by is the drubbing GuardX gets. It seems that if well applied it’s not bad at all.

My X3 is 7 months old; I paid close to full price for its GuardX. It’s still like new, I’m very pleased with it, sticky blobs wash off or flick off easily. Beading is excellent as is shine.

I also bought a new TT 5.5 months ago. I haggled the price down for GuardX on the TT, presumably they paid the person applying it almost nothing as there is now no sign of GuardX, I’ve ended up applying a Meguiars product.

Those that diss GuardX strongly...I wonder whether they screwed the price very low or the person applying it only waved the bottle at their car.

[Mushy007]

My X3 came with guardX applied for free, only knew this when I collected the car and wondered what it was, stickers on the windows. It was clear from the first wash it was very well protected with this product, I enjoy detailing my car and have found using gyeon can coat since, brings up the gloss and colour really well. As ceramics and si02 products are getting better for joe bloggs applying them, car protection is getting easier. That said and back to your question, if the Gtechniq covered the interior, then I would go with this over dealer gaurdx kit.

[nb67]

The issue with Guard X is the price if it's £599!! Man that's steep for a coating that could be applied by any of the Valet team.

Coatings are only as good as the prep, if this is not done 100% correctly, no matter what coating you have, it will eventually fail. If it's been applied on top of swirls, marring etc etc.... then your stuck with said defects unless it's machine polished out.

An accredited detailer applying a top quality product like Crystal Serum Ultra is wayyyyy and I mean wayyyyy more reliable will definitely be applied correctly compared to Dealer applied coatings.

Have a walk around a dealership and ask to see a car that's had their coating applied, they'll have a few especially 2nd hand then take a close look at the paint in natural light. I guarantee it will have swirls a plenty in it.

[X3M40i_Nev]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Re-visiting this thread with my experience over 7 months...

I'm sure some of the ceramic products are better than GuardX. What I'm not convinced by is the drubbing GuardX gets. It seems that if well applied it's not bad at all.

My X3 is 7 months old; I paid close to full price for its GuardX. It's still like new, I'm very pleased with it, sticky blobs wash off or flick off easily. Beading is excellent as is shine.

I also bought a new TT 5.5 months ago. I haggled the price down for GuardX on the TT, presumably they paid the person applying it almost nothing as there is now no sign of GuardX, I've ended up applying a Meguiars product.

Those that diss GuardX strongly...I wonder whether they screwed the price very low or the person applying it only waved the bottle at their car.

Nothing wrong with GardX, but like any
Product (ceramics included) it is all in the prep of the paint before application. Have had it on a few cars, and worked better on some than others. But now I get the dealer to do nothing and I prep and coat it 👍

[Speedbird1]

Originally Posted by SO8

I have Protect X and love it ... but I got it for free.
Loads will tell you it is not worth it - but do they have it ?
I do and love it.
Would I buy it ... over a specialist detailer (assuming reviews are stunning) then no.
If you have the choice of paying for Protect X or an independent detailer then I would say the independent would get my money - but do not underestimate Protect X just because it is attached to the brand and not independent. I have had 2 such 'finishes' and can't fault the manufacturer ones ... despite those who say it is cr*p and have probably never had it !!

Another thumbs up for Protect X here. I had it applied to my F25, and it was so good at preserving the finish, when I sold that car back to BMW after 4 years / 35000 miles, they asked me if I ever drove it! I also had a 'claim' on the warranty side of Protect X when I got some etching on my bonnet from bird droppings. they sorted it without fuss and to a very high standard.

Having had such a positive experience I 'negotiated' it in to the purchase price of my new G01 and I am still very pleased with the product. It appears to work just as well as the ceramic coat my son had applied to his 440 and I also have the ongoing warranty side which covers the paint and interior.

I think it's worth echoing others here though, in that it's all down to the prep. I bought both my cars from Park Lane BMW and they, (being BMW's flagship
branch) seem to take application of this product seriously.

So in summary, whilst it may well be better value going independent, I would never dismiss Protect X and, at the right price, it is well worth considering.

[Ashsarhaz93]

Originally Posted by Meantime

Hey guys. We are taking delivery of X4 M40i (Flamenco Red) soon. I thought of taking standard Protect X service from a dealer, but asked for a quote from local detailers for ceramic coating, and it comes out just £250 more. The product is Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra in this case, applied by a certified detailing company.

Your advice welcome - is this worth paying extra 250 quid for? I know the consensus here is that ceramic coating is always better, but how much better?

Additional condition. We live in an apartment block, so, spending Saturday afternoon washing a car on my driveway is the luxury I do not have. So, looking for "low maintenance" option, for the paint to sustain irregular washes in fairly random places. Thanks for your advice!

Protect X is the new branding for GuardX, new name but same product. The problem isn't necessarily with the product, it's the preparation & care that it is applied with at the dealers. I had it on my 2014 Tiguan & it lasted about 3 months until it lost its effectiveness. The cost of the product to the dealer is around £45. If you are happy having your car done by the dealer for £250 then that's up to you, personally I would never have a dealer apply my coatings ever again. With a ceramic your car will be prepped, machine polished (where necessary) & also be guaranteed to last 3, 4 or 5 years depending on product. A dedicated detailer has a reputation to keep, a dealer less so as all they do is send it to the detailing bay.

[Tubes23]

Originally Posted by Meantime

Yep, that's the real question, how much they are charging.

Let me put it straight. Gtechniq coating applied by specialists is 850 quid in my case, vs 599 (yes, 599) for Protect X. I know, this is waaaay overpriced, a daylight robbery. But I already pushed my dealer hard on a car discount, and then APR, so don't really want to reopen negotiations. If it was free, that would be another story.

I have to say don't by into the hype that GuardX is better value for money when both quotes are in excess of £600. At £850 thats three days worth of work and product. Providing the car isn't prepped by the dealer it shouldn't require more than a quick mop and light correction. I'd be surprised if this couldn't be done in a day maybe slightly longer. My detailer friend did mine over two around other commitments.

I would be shopping around, if anything to have confidence that the product is going to be applied properly as that will be more effective than the products.