I had a full wrap on my GTS 718 but nothing on my Cayenne or current Macan. It is not that I was unhappy with the wrap but don’t think I would do it again. I have just clocked up 100,000 k on our Macan and the paint is unblemished and it doesn’t get babied at all.
On my new Macan I intend on either getting a pro ceramic coating or just use the DIY style products which I have been very happy with.

 

I faced this dilemma last year when I picked up my GTS. Similar to Beardy I've got a Cayman GTS with front and side PPF & ceramic coating that has just gone 4-years old with about 15000km added... the coating is not really 'active' anymore, and the PPF is looking a little worn (edges, impact marks, stone chips, etc). Given the cost of the PPF and Ceramic (about ~4000) - that equates to about 1000 per year... the thing with PPF is that once it has taken a few hits, there is no way to make it better without ripping and replacing.

For the Macan (which I daily drive) I decided not to PPF or ceramic coat... it does seem to get dirty quickly, but I wash it regularly (every 1-2 weeks). Is it a bit harder to wash than the ceramic coated Cayman, YES... would I pay $1500 to make it easier to wash, NO.

If money was no object, of course I'd have the works added... but as I've said before... for many years we were all quite happy waxing our cars a few times a year, looking after them regularly, touching up stone chips, etc... something changed about 5-years ago (internet and influencer marketing...) and all of a sudden we feel like we are doing the wrong thing if we don't ceramic coat and plastic wrap our new cars... it's interesting 🤷‍♂️ 🤣

 

I personally wash & ceramic coat my car as a hobby.
A consumer-grade ceramic coating generally costs $100 - $150, which lasts about 1 - 2 years or more if well maintained, and it is very easy to apply.
Also, you do not need much paint prep if it is new, so if you are ready to invest some of your time, I would highly recommend a DIY ceramic coating.

 

Watching this with interest

I’ve always scoffed at the dealer when they’ve asked if we want paint protection.

The Porsche will be my first non white new car - and I feel like I need to be a little more responsible as an owner with darker paint!

 

I also contemplated getting it done for my new Macan, but in the end decided against it. I don’t do a lot of km’s and wash and wax my cars regularly and leather treat the interior at least once a year and they still look brand new. @ Chris.hann is there any specific ceramic coating product you use? I may consider doing it myself too. Do you apply it the alloys too ( should help with brake dust)?

 

I have used Carpro Cquartz UK 3.0, Carpro Gliss and NV Evo.
All of them were very easy to apply and wipe off, but I personally like the looks of Carpro coatings, so I applied Cquartz UK 3.0 with Carpro Gliss on my new Macan.
The only drawback when working with Cquartz UK 3.0 is that it is recommended to apply 2 layers, and then Gliss on top, which means you will need to do the same procedure 3 times, whereas NV Evo is just one coat.

I heard people rate consumer ceramic coatings from Gtechniq or Gyeon, but I did not have a chance to use them.

I found a ceramic coating on wheels does not last as much as the one on paint (I guess due to the heat or I did not use a specific wheel coating), so I apply spay sealant each wash such as Gyeon Wetcoat or Bowdens Own Wet Dreams, which has been enough to remove most brake dust with a gentle wheel cleaner & pressure washer.

As long as the paint does not have existing defects, a wash with a quick clay bar would be enough before applying a coating, although it would be best if one step light polish can be done.

 

I'm planning on driving from the showroom straight to PPF applier upon taking delivery of my 22 GTS.

With the luxury car tax in Australia, these cars are small fortunes and my thinking is that a replaceable skin is worth the investment, especially considering the amount of highway driving I do (stone chips, rocks from trucks, etc.). I previously had a cheaper luxury car that I babied, washed and cared for religiously. Even with well cared for metallic white paint and the correct washing technique, swirl marks were inevitable on it. If I can avoid that for my expensive Macan purchase, I will because I plan on keeping it for 5+ years.

The other thing worth adding is that a lot of the PPF installers I have contacted (and the research I've done) suggests that PPF has come a long way even in 5 years and the technology is always improving. The clear coats on these skins are becoming more advanced and hard wearing with each generation.

 

Last week I had the bonnet, front portion of car, A pillars and mirrors wrapped in 3m protective film at Ozicozi (Artarmon). I have had several cars and motorcycles wrapped in this protective film and have avoided any stone chips, there is evidence on the plastic wrap where road debris has come into contact with the bonnet, but importantly no paint damage. The Macan bonnet may well be a magnet for stone damage and the peace of mind having the car wrapped is worth every penny (definitely worth consideration).

 

I’m thinking of getting full cover xPel PPF when my GTS arrives.

Recommendations for a company in Sydney and price ranges from anyone who has done similar for a Macan would be appreciated.

 

I can’t help you with Sydney quotes, but for ACT I’m looking at $6,5k from a Porsche Club referred installer, complete car coverage.

FWIW, my installer has also recommended the new high gloss Suntek Reaction as a new product which has a ceramic like hydrophobic clear coat (and usual PPF self healing). It has 12 year warranty too.

My installer does not speak highly of Xpel as a brand.

 

I've used both, found both to be helpful in the right climate/area. Two scenarios beg film: If you are in a rocky or sandy area, leading edges and more can benefit from PPF. Or if you find yourself forced to follow closely at speed. Grit thrown up by the car in front of you can be defeated with PPF.

Ceramic coating really does protect paint from weather, tree sap, airborne stuff, and gifts from birds. It lasts, and comes back to original looking if renewed.

The PPF takes real skill. If done properly, including paint correction, etc., and applied carefully ceramic protection can be DIY.