Pro's
Application and materials are key!
A good cast vinyl if applied correctly will give a good leavel of paint protect and cause no harm to the original paintwork (if in good condition) retaining the residual value of the vehicle.
The colour change does not need to be logged with DVLA as its deemed temporary. But do let your insurance company know.
Half the time and cost of a respray with endless options.
Can wash wax as normal, just don't power wash the edges for long periods lol
Cons
A cheap or incorrect vinyl for external wrapping will crack or pop in most areas that are not flat or anything more than a moderate curve and will look gash within a couple of months.
If the lacquer is separating, or any paint lifting on the bodywork this will in most cases will pulled of when the vinyl is removed
Leaving you wanting a respray.
Vynil will not hide any stone chips,cracks or other similar paint damage, only enhance its appearance.
A wrap is not and will never be as good as a paint job, but it's to intended to be either.
Personally I've only ever endorsed 3m and a Avery supercast vinyls as these have been rubber stamped fortech spec and warrenties. However I have used a few different vinyls in the past, APA, hexis, KPMF to name a few.
Door shuts I personally wouldn't advise due to the build up of crap and grease and water collection which eats into the vinyl especially on the overlaps. They us And are usually priced between an extra £50-£75 per shut, only really advise these if the colours really don't contrast. Shuts are not able to be warented by manufacturer either.
Jim Ming blue is a stunning colour why cover it up, maybe go with the detailing like you planned with a roof wrap also just to mix it up a little.
Things to look out for dude, get down to these guys and arrange to see one of their wrapped vehicles. Open all doors, boot, bonnet
and check allmthe seams, lights arches window seals that kinda thing. Looking for a good clean finish and no visible cut lines, especially against the paintwork. no fingers, Ie ravels of vinyl should anywhere especially on corners where this usually happens.
Their site says they are 3m aproved but a lot of their Images are using none 3m colours, Ask them about the vinyl they use. The price quoted is very low in my eyes, as you'd be looking around £600 in just vinyl to cover the S3 in 3m/ Avery. Did you specify a colour or finish? As this will change the price also. A lot of their colours look like Hexis to me especially the ranger. Which is a newer uk based company trying to make a stance, but the last time I checked with them they couldn't give out a tech spec nor a post heat spec. They may have resolved this now though. But out of all the mid range vinyls I've trialled Hexis where pretty good tbf.
The vinyl industry is a ****** minefield Jim With a lot of companies stating they are using the likes of 3m but installing cheap £8 per Meter crap from china which is not fit for purpose. If you go down this route just be careful mate and always ask questions.
My personal views on wrapping is that it's good if applied correctly using good quality vinyls, getting good effects in short spaces of time, however the finish will never ever be as good as paint. Even though the vinyls offer good paint protection itself it is softer than paint. And you will still get stone chips just not as many but the vinyl takes the hit usually unless its a good sized stone.
I'm currently thinking of doing an Amy winehouse And going back to black, only because I miss it so much, However I have a few other colour options I'm thinking of too.... But that's the beauty of vinyl
