Detailing

[RDSChicago]

I've owned my 1971 BMW 2800cs for around 15 years now. It's in really great shape but I haven't given it a good detail in years. My options for detailing run from $200 for a clay bar and spray on ceramic coating that is supposed to last two years, to $1,400 for the clay bar, paint correction, 8-year Xpel ceramic coating and detailing of the interior and engine bay. I guess the big questions are if paint correction is necessary and how long I'm going to keep the car, which I'm not certain.

What would you guys with plenty of detailing knowledge do in this case? Note, I'm not a DIY guy, so that's not an option.

Here are a few photos of the car.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[HB Chris]

I would spend the $1400, the $200 one doesn’t make sense and would involve a ceramic spray which does not last.

 

[e9Leveque]

I agree, I did the 8-year ceramic coating option with paint correction on one of my other older vehicles and it has held up nicely.

 

[adawil2002]

I had my 1988 M5 & 2007 X3 6-speed Manual coated wit the cross-linked-chain polymer OptiCoat & use the OptiCoat suit of products.

 

[jmackro]

I guess the big questions are if paint correction is necessary and how long I'm going to keep the car, which I'm not certain.

Another benefit of the $1,400 complete-car detail: if you are going to be selling your coupe, a well detailed engine bay and interior should re-pay the incremental cost between just an exterior detail and the complete job.