I live in Atlanta and you are right - it is impossible to avoid everything. I appreciate the input - I'll keep you posted.

 

It's not pebbles just lying on the road which cause rock chips on the hood. It's pebbles that get kicked up by cars in front of you.... which hit your car because you follow too closely.

Leave enough room in front of you, and those pebbles kicked up by the guy in front of you will stop bouncing before you get tagged.

I drive 60 miles a day, through severe road construction... on Interstate 4, and the 408 toll road in Orlando.... I don't have a bra, and I don't have rock chips.

 

I've had my clear-bra for a little over a year now. It was just replaced by the dealership where I had it installed due to the fact that it was yellowing quite badly. Very noticeable on a White car. I am satisfied with the replacement. I did get a chip through the 3M stuff but I can just imagine how bad it would have been if I didn't have it.
If I remember correctly, mine was around $500 installed. I didn't opt for the headlights or foglights but the mirrors are done.

My $0.02.

 

Not following too closely may save you some rocks, but it will not save all. Some rocks get kicked up by oncoming traffic - cars as well as trucks. No way to dodge those. I caught a rock in the windshield while my son was driving three weeks ago. He felt terrible, but it was just destined to be. It could have come from oncoming traffic or from traffic ahead. No trucks involved at all. You can also catch a rock from a vehicle passing you, so slow cautious driving is not the answer.

Besides, if all you are doing is laying back so you don't catch a rock, a Lexus would be a better choice. E60s are made to drive.

 

I say YAY! Get it. its worth it. Any other state other than FL you have no choice... you have to follow cars in front of you else you'll get shot at! Read the LA Times.

 

I've installed the "clear bra stuff" (3M material) on several E39 BMWs and a few other cars. I probably have 20 or so under my belt.

I first did my 2001 530 just over 4 years ago and it is doing fine. My car color is Topaz Blue so it leans a bit to the dark side (of the force ).

I've mostly used the Xpel brand of this stuff but I've done a few BMW brand (all the same material, just different cuts).

My take on this is that it will prevent rock chips but it will not protect any areas, well, not protected! Duh, right? Well, my point is that it will protect those areas most prone to rock chips and thus, at the minimum, extend the amount of time in which you might consider a whole hood/front bumper repainting.

If you are in an area where your paint looks like swiss cheese after 3 years, the clear bra might extend that time to 5 years before the unprotected parts start to bother you enough to need a repaint. I'm at 4 years + and while I have plenty of chips above the protection, it isn't to the the point of bugging me to me...YMMV!

Installation is interesting. The E39 wasn't too bad except around the curved portion of the hood where it curved down into the kidney grill area. Since the E60 has this portion separate, it should be much easier and take less time.

I don't exactly advertise my "clear bra installation" services (I'm a weekend BMW addict) but I would consider installing a few E60s clear bras for a very good price. I don't charge anywhere near what a pro would but I am good. Let me put it this way, once you've done one, you are pretty much set and are comfortable with handling this stuff. The first time is a pain.

Finally, dark cars hide the clear bra better than lighter ones but a very clean install will make it virtually undetectable even on white cars. However, when the car is dirty, that line on the hood will stand out like a sore thumb on ANY color car.

 

Another point in favor of RejeX. It is not prone to show like a wax residue line on a clear bra, or other edges either, as a matter of fact.

 

Another point in favor of RejeX. It is not prone to show like a wax residue line on a clear bra, or other edges either, as a matter of fact.
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What is RejeX? Gotta link?

 

Another point in favor of RejeX. It is not prone to show like a wax residue line on a clear bra, or other edges either, as a matter of fact.
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Should you put Rejex on the clear bar or avoid it at all costs?

 

Another point in favor of RejeX. It is not prone to show like a wax residue line on a clear bra, or other edges either, as a matter of fact.
[/quote]
Should you put Rejex on the clear bar or avoid it at all costs?
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3M is clearcoated, so you can treat it as paint. My installers said to keep it sprayed with Meguire's Quick Detail, but you can apply wax (and probably should) once it cures.