boltjames

I'm torn. Forget the functionality, from a 'looks' standpoint, do you prefer the mudguards on or off your car? All Honda/Acura's I've ever owned had them, but something about the TL's aggressive fender treatment makes me think I can skip 'em and still get that tougher / lower look. Yes or no?

Lore

I prefer them on. The car looks naked without them. The best analogy is it looks like someone wearing shoes without socks.

kona

Yes, here too. They blend into the anthracite nicely.

tgt

iTrader: (1)

Nooooooo....

-Travis

GunMetal TL

I have them on but i color match them. email me at josemartijr@hotmail.com or aim sn bruto69 , if u want pics?

Vffr1

Nooooooooooo! They had issues with the mud flaps rubbing the paint off on the pre-2004 TL's not sure it that's a problem on the current models.

Kona,

Your car, uh, my car, uh our cars look SWEET.

boltjames

Vffr.....if I never, ever intend to remove the guards would it matter if there's paint damage? Or are you saying that they'll cause damage elsewhere?

tgt

iTrader: (1)

What about me? I'm not feeling the love! :p

-Travis
04 Antracite/Ebony/6MT/20% Tint

caball88

noooo, mud flaps belong on trucks.

dunno465

Mud flaps were included in the protection package. I think they look ok. Maybe better than without but im not sure how much better. Hopefully they will block some mud. I dont plan on removing them so i dont care about the paint underneath.

Salden

Mine were include also in protection package for free. I had them take them off...

jshih57

I have anthracite too, both 04 & 03 tl-s. The 03 looks better with the mudguards, the 04 came with the bodykit installed, can NOT install the mudguards even if I want to.
I also have dealer installed mudguards, BSM's & sunroof wind deflectors on most of the cars my family owns(ed), don't seem to help much functionally, but IMHO do make the cars look fancier. I also have heard that these DEALER installed items may damage factory paint, but have not seen any evidence, since I haven't removed any. The BSM some times let water get into the doors & cause the windows to stuck frozen in winter.

gbriank

Definitely, YES!

dcarlinf1

I would never put mud flaps on my TL.

boltjames

You guys are no help.....split right down the middle.

Therefore, I've made the decision to put the mudguards on half the vehicle. Would you do the right half or the left?

cstls

Absolutely yes! I have an Anthracite 6M with splash guards...it really does blend nicely with this color and the blacked out trim.

JMO...but I think it improves the overall stance of the car.

lakeman

If you only do half the car do the front half. The rear doesn't really need them.

catsailr

I personally don't like the mudguards, but I also like wearing shoes without socks.

erikmoeser

Go for the mudguards they are not "flaps" they complete the look

Swat Dude

The rear half. I took them off the front and left them on the rear. I think the front ones don't blend very well with the body but the back ones look right at home with the rear shape of the car.

Vffr1

If you leave them on, any damage won't matter. Although I don't believe the damage is beyound where the flap actually cover, there could be some "minor" paint removed just adjacent to the flap as they do move around a tid-bit.

Mike Smeezy

Vffr1

tgt, Your apart of Team Antracite either way, but evertime I try to bond with the 6MT guys, they're quick to point out how superior the're trasmissions are compared to the near-unacceptable 5AT.

Thanks for being the cool guy you are!

Mike Smeezy

Go Team Antracite

boltjames

I've decided to go with just one mud guard on the front left tire. Logic being that it's the one I'd be looking at the most. Thanks everyone for your help.

I'm looking for ebony headrests and quartz floormats in my camel interior- anyone interested in a three-way swap of these components let me know.

legendguy

Good call boltjames,

I've got some brand new replacement '92 Legend matts in dove gray that I will trade one (just one) for one of your camels. Seems fair - a dove for a camel. Let me know!!

boltjames

I may take you up on your offer once I know how much it'll cost to rip out the camel headliner and put in a burgandy one. I'll PM you next week if that's okay.

TLGator

A hot pink pinstripe seems in order for that car too.

Boltjames - I couldn't get the dealer to throw in the protection package, and I'm debating whether to pay the $$$ out of pocket. They did give me the wheel locks (I think all the dealers do that). The more I think about the trunk tray the less I care about it. That leaves the splash guards, which are about $100.

Personally I don't think they either add or take away much in the way of looks. I'm just wondering if they are a good idea for actually guarding against too much mud.

The accessory I think I'm definitely going to get is the wood shifter. With the camel interior and fake wood it looks really good. I think it's about $120.

boltjames

The protection package also includes the black rubber form-fitted winter mats and that was the deal closer for me. Was going to get the flaps alone like you at first, but when I saw how custom those winter mats are *and* how they draw nicely from the black dash I was sold. $328 for the four flaps, four mats, and trunk tray. I've driven 9 Honda/Acura's the past 15 years or so and for some reason I simply must have the mudguards to get that lower/tougher look. While the TL's muscular wide stance and improved thickness over the wheels is an improvement, I studied a bunch of RL's in the Acura lot last night and I think it still needs the guards....

TLGator

Not enough truly disgusting winter weather in Baltimore 9 out of 10 years to bother with the winter mats. Each spring I go to a place where they steam clean the mats and they look brand new after that. I've definitely decided against the trunk tray - I don't carry anything heavy duty and the cargo nets will work for me just fine.

Still debating the mudguards. Not debating the wood shifter - definitely going to get that.

boltjames

Anyone have a photo of the wood shifter against the wood console? Pics on eBay and lots of Acura accessory sites all have it against the carbon fiber......the gallery is down, so if anyone's got a pic of the wood knob in its natural (faux) environment it would be greatly appreciated.

rynpamn21

i was also thinking of color matching them..i have WDp so they kinda stick out....i would probably leave them during the dry part of the year and put them back on when it starts to rain...

TLGator

boltjames - I'd like to see those pics, too.

I can tell you that the NBP/Camel I test drove had the wood shifter and it looked great with the interior fake wood - close to a perfect match.

boltjames

Gator- got the car (LOVE it) and got the shift knob. PM me your address and I'll email you a pic tonight. BJ

TLGator

Done, thanks!

moeronn

So some people like the mud guards and some don't really care for them. I was leaning toward not getting them, but the dealers install them before they make it to the lot. For those that don't really care for them, do you think that it's worth waiting 2-3 weeks for the next shipment so I can catch it before the dealer puts the flaps on? A local dealer has 2 anthracite/ebony (yeah, I know I'm not the first one to get that combo) models in and both have the mud guards. The next shipment of that combo is expected in the middle of April. I doubt it's worth waiting an extra couple of weeks just for that reason, but wanted to get some input. Thanks.

tgt

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't wait for a TL without them. Unless I'm incorrect, I think you can simply unscrew them and take them off, if you personally don't like them. I would negotiate them into the deal though, since the dealers that install them on all TL's are doing so to charge you for it.

-Travis