BMW I3 Wrap Cost: How Much Should You Expect To Pay?

So you just got your hands on a sleek, futuristic BMW i3 electric vehicle. As you drive around town in this ultra-modern EV, you want to customize and personalize it to match your style. What better way to transform the look of your beamer than with a bold, eye-catching vehicle wrap? But before you envision your i3 wrapped in an awesome matte color shift or chrome finish, an important question looms: how much will it cost to get my BMW i3 wrapped?

The cost to wrap a BMW i3 can range quite a bit based on the factors below, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $2,500 and $8,000 for a professional quality full wrap. Key considerations that impact the price include the wrap material, the color/design complexity, local labor rates, your specific i3 model and condition, and any other custom add-ons requested. Getting quotes from multiple local wrap shops and providing details about your BMW can help get an accurate price estimate.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore these key factors that determine BMW i3 wrap cost and pricing. You’ll also learn about the different types of wraps available, how long wraps last, maintenance tips, and what’s involved in the wrapping process. Let’s dive in!

What Are the Benefits of Wrapping Your BMW i3?

Before we look at the cost to wrap a BMW i3, it helps to understand why you may want to wrap your vehicle in the first place. What benefits does this service provide compared to leaving your car with the original factory paint? There are a few key advantages that make wraps worth considering:

Protect the Paint

Over time, your i3’s exterior paint is susceptible to damage from road debris, automatic car washes, weathering, and general wear and tear from daily driving. A professionally installed wrap essentially adds a protective film layer over the entire painted surface of your car. This shield prevents scratches, swirl marks, oxidation, staining, and other paint damage. Keeping the original factory paint preserved underneath, especially on limited edition i3 models, helps maintain resale value down the road.

Customize the Look

The most obvious benefit of a vehicle wrap is totally transforming the look and color of your BMW. Available in hundreds of colors and finishes like matte, satin, chrome, carbon fiber, and color shift, wraps allow you to personalize your beamer based on your preferences. You can match the wrap color to your favorite sports team, your alma mater, or just an awesome multi-chromatic design that turns heads.

Cost Less Than Repainting

Professionally repainting the entire exterior of your car can easily cost $4,000 to $10,000 or even more. A full wrap provides that same transformation impact for a fraction of the price. Even with higher end specialty wrap materials, you’ll spend significantly less than a quality multi-stage respray.

More Options Than Factory Paint Colors

BMW offers great factory paint colors on the i3, but they only give you so many choices from their catalog. Want that eye-catching matte military green color you saw on Instagram? Or a sweet pearlescent color shift effect? The range of wrap films and colors available today provides limitless customization options.

Now that you know why wrapping an i3 is popular, let’s explore what specific factors impact the total project cost and pricing.

What Factors Determine BMW i3 Wrap Cost?

Many variables affect the final price tag for wrapping your BMW i3. From the wrap material you choose to your location to any other custom work requested, a number of considerations influence the overall project cost. Here are the key factors that determine how much you’ll pay to wrap your beamer.

1. Type of Wrap Material

The actual vinyl film material used is one of the biggest cost factors for your i3 wrap. Basic cast wrap vinyl starts around $2,500 for a full vehicle wrap, while premium cast films range from $4,500 to $8,000. Specialty and color change wraps fall in the middle from $4,500 to $6,000 typically. Here’s a rundown of popular wrap material options and price ranges:

Cast Vinyl Wrap – $2,500 to $4,500

This is the most common and affordable film used on vehicles. Cast vinyl wraps provide a glossy or matte factory-like finish and hundreds of colors to choose from. The 3M, Avery, Arlon, and Hexis brands offer quality cast vinyl films that last 4 to 5 years outdoors.

Premium Cast Vinyl – $4,500 to $8,000

For a more high-end upgrade, premium cast films from 3M and Avery offer exceptional clarity, colors, textures, and conformability around curves and edges. Many also feature air release technology for faster, bubble-free installation.

Color Change Wrap – $4,500 to $6,000

Color change or chameleon wraps feature a multi-tone iridescent effect that shifts colors based on viewing angle and lighting. This cool style commands a slight premium over standard solid color wraps.

Chrome Wrap – $4,000 to $8,000

Get the shiny mirrored look with a chrome vehicle wrap. The reflective surface and intricate installation of chrome wraps puts them at the higher end of the price spectrum.

Matte Wrap – $5,000 to $8,000

Matte and satin finishes have risen in popularity for their sleek, low-key aesthetic. The matte material costs a bit more than gloss finishes.

Keep in mind that unique color combinations, custom prints, and complex designs will also increase the material cost and overall price of a wrap job.

2. Color and Design Complexity

Speaking of designs, the complexity of your i3’s wrap color and styling also impacts the price. A basic full color change in a solid gloss color costs less than say, a custom matte army green wrap with black satin racing stripes down the center. Simple, minimal wrap designs tend to be the most affordable options, while intricate color combinations, custom prints, graphics, and color shift finishes cost more.

3. Shop Location

Like any service industry, location impacts BMW i3 wrap pricing. In general, you’ll pay more for wraps done in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago where labor rates are higher. In smaller cities and rural areas, you can usually find wraps at somewhat lower prices since overhead costs are reduced for those vinyl shops.

4. Your Specific BMW i3 Model and Condition

The particular year, model, and condition of your i3 also plays a role in determining wrap cost. An older model BMW with faded, oxidized paint will require more extensive prep work like sanding and touch up painting to create a smooth surface for the wrap film. That added labor time increases the overall project price. A newer i3 in pristine condition can be wrapped more quickly and easily.

Any dents, door dings, deep scratches and body damage on your specific vehicle will also add to the required preparation work and your total wrap cost.

5. Additional Customization Add-Ons

Besides the full exterior wrap, costs will rise if you want any other custom work done at the same time. Some popular add-ons that increase the price include:

Window Tinting
Racing Stripes, Graphics, Decals
Debadging and Removing Emblems
Paint Protection Film
Ceramic Coating
Wheel Wraps

The more complex the overall project, the more labor time and material costs required. Simple full wraps tend to be the most affordable.

Getting Accurate BMW i3 Wrap Quotes

Now that you know the key factors that determine wrap pricing, how do you get an accurate estimate for your specific i3? Here are some tips:

Get Quotes From 3+ Local Wrap Shops

Contact several reputable vinyl wrap installers in your area to compare pricing. Many list prices or offer free quotes online. Be wary of quotes far below the average local rate which may signal inexperience.

Provide Details on Your i3

Let the shops know the year, make and model, current condition, and mileage of your BMW. Send pictures showing any existing damage or wear. This allows them to assess required prep work.

Explain Your Desired Wrap Material and Design

Inform shops of the specific wrap material (cast vinyl, matte, chrome, etc.) and the colors and design details like racing stripes. More complex projects warrant higher pricing.

Ask About Prep Work Recommendations

Experienced wrap specialists will explain what paint correction, touch ups, or other prep will be advisable to ensure optimal results. This gives you a more accurate cost estimate.

Avoid Online Wrap Calculator Tools

Generic online wrap calculators often underestimate pricing. Quotes based on inspecting your specific vehicle in person tend to be more precise.

Doing your due diligence to get estimates from reputable local wrap shops while providing details on your i3 provides the most accurate ballpark pricing.

How Long Does a BMW i3 Wrap Last?

This depends on the material used, but you can expect a quality vinyl wrap to last around 4 to 5 years on average with proper care and maintenance. Lower cost cast vinyl films tend to start showing signs of wear sooner and may only last 2 to 3 years.

Premium wraps can sometimes even last up to 8 years or so before needing replacement. Matte and chrome wraps, however, are more prone to lifting around edges and bubbling which shortens their lifespan to 3 years or less.

Various environmental factors also impact the longevity of your i3’s wrap. Over time, exposure to sunlight, heat, winter weather, and road debris degrades the wrap materials. Lesser quality films fade, bubble and peel more quickly. With proper maintenance and avoiding extremes, you should enjoy 4 to 5 years of usage from a reputable vinyl wrap brand installed professionally.

Maintaining a Wrapped BMW i3

To maximize the lifespan of your wrap, certain care and maintenance best practices are advised:

Hand Wash Only – Skip the automatic car washes which can abrade the vinyl’s surface. Use a pressure washer sparingly. Hand washing is safest.
Avoid Direct Sunlight – Minimize exposing the wrap to hot sun when possible to prevent fading. Park in shade or garage when practical.
Apply Protectant – Use a vinyl wrap protectant like GTechniq C2 Liquid Crystal every 3 months. This adds a layer of protection against the elements.
Inspect for Damage – Check carefully around edges, seams, and curves monthly for signs of lifting or bubbling which indicates wear. Catch issues early.
No Harsh Chemicals – Avoid using strong solvents, acids, or abrasives to clean wrapped surfaces. Mild soap and water is best.
Rewrap When Needed – Once the wrap shows excessive damage, rewrapping the vehicle will be needed. This maintains the protection for your paint.

Proper maintenance and care makes a huge difference in getting the most longevity out of your BMW i3 wrap investment.

The BMW i3 Wrapping Process Explained

So what exactly does the process entail to wrap a BMW i3? Here is an overview of the key steps involved:

Consultation – Initial discussion of your vision, material options, and design ideas. Technician inspects the vehicle condition and test materials are viewed.
Preparation – Thorough cleaning, paint correction via clay bar and polish, touch up paint work, and removing emblems or badging as needed.
Design Finalization – Final wrap material, colors, and design approved before production.
Vinyl Wrap Production – Printing of specialized vinyl sheets to the precise dimensions of your i3’s body panels and features.
Installation – Skilled technician pre-stretches film and uses heat to adhere wrap around all vehicle surfaces meticulously removing air bubbles. Seams carefully trimmed.
Inspection & Finishing – Every inch inspected for full adhesion and completion of the design to specifications. Any final trimming andfinishing touches applied.
Curing Period – Heat lamps applied to allow vinyl wrap to fully set and adhere to your i3 before driving. Generally a 24 hour curing period.

The entire process usually takes 2 to 4 days from start to finish depending on the complexity of the design. While not cheap, a quality BMW i3 wrap performed by experienced professionals provides amazing transformation results.

Get Your BMW i3 Wrap Quote

Now that you know what impacts your BMW i3 wrap cost and what to expect price-wise, it’s time to get some estimates for your specific vehicle. Reach out to top rated local wrap shops, provide details on your i3, and don’t be shy asking questions.

With hundreds of colors, finishes and effects to choose from, you can give your beamer a fresh new look while protecting the original paint at a fraction of the cost of a full repaint. A properly maintained vinyl wrap will look amazing on your i3 for years to come!

Wrapping Up

Transforming your BMW i3 with a professional quality wrap opens up endless possibilities for customization at a reasonable price. While pricing varies based on materials, designs, location and other factors, expect to invest $2,500 to $8,000 for this upgrade. With proper care, your wrap should last 4 to 5 years or more before needing replacement. Now get excited envisioning the unique wrap makeover for your beamer as you get quotes from reputable local installers. That head turning color shift or chrome wrapped i3 of your dreams awaits!