I have just recently purchased 04' SS/Ebony/lip spoiler/ and will be getting the 18" wheels when I get the chance to look at the new 18" rims coming out next month but I do like the way the gunmetal looks...my delema is about the mud guards.. they came with car but I am not sure I like them and do they really serve a purpose? Any comments are appreciated..thanks

 

I just purchased a SS/EBONY/lip spoiler/18" are coming soon...as soon as I see the new ones in Sept (ASPEC) With no body kit, I like the way it looks as is...My question is on the mud guards...should they be there or should they go!! I live in TEXAS so we dont get much snow here...so what purpose would be on my car for?? Any opinions?

 

Sporlux,

I have a SSM/Ebony/6MT, I live in Massachusetts and I'm not putting mud guards on.
Maybe if they were painted silver I might reconsider, but otherwise I think they just look hideous.

TL-Rocket

 

TL-Rocket,

It seems you have good taste....do ya think the 18" gunmetal rims would look good? Cause ya know the new 18" rims are coming out next month...Enkei makes their rims...What rims do you have...

 

definately take the mud guards off... i did on my 03 ssm and it looks ALOT better... i wouldnt mind them so much if they actually matched the car...

 

no mudguards please

 

I agree. I have a SSM/Ebony/5AT and I asked them not to install my splashguards when they gave me the trunk tray.

If they were silver, I might have considered it but the lines of the car are ruined when the black plastic is installed where the silver rocker panels and the wheel wells intersect.

Maybe if my car were black then that's another good fit.

I live in NJ where the rain and snow are a constant concern depending on the season and I haven't really found much need for the splash guards. I also try to avoid going on roads where there are a lot of pebbles that can scratch the car.

 

SSM here and certainly NO mud guards. Those are for 4WD trucks

 

i agree totally...now i am confinced. Now all i need is those perfect 18" wheels to get me flying!!

 

Actuall I suggest that you guys keep the mud guard on. I took them off of my 2003 TL because I thought that they ruined the look of the car. After the first wash without mud guards and then applying the tire dressing I was pumped, until I took it for a spin. After I exited the car I noticed that the tire dressing had flung all over the lower parts of the driver and passenger door, there was also tire dressing on the front bumper portions close to the wheels. What's even worse is when it rains, your lower doors will look aweful. I have them on my '04 TL and do not plan to take them off. I dress the tires and drive 80 MPH and when I get out it still looks freshly washed!

 

Interesing..any comments?

 

I thought they would look lousy on my SSM, but I don't think they do. They actually are both good for form and function. But, to each his own...

 

Sporlux,

Now I may get flamed for this, but I think the only color the 18" Acura rims look good on is the White Pearl. This seems to give the best contrast. I've stuck with the 17" stock Acura rims, because in my humble opinion Acura did a good job of matching silver rims with a silver body and the compliments just keep coming. However, if you want to "sample" some rims on your car before you buy them, go to the car / rim configurator at tirerack.com.

TL-Rocket

 

I used to have the mud guards on my Anthracite TL (before I put the kit on). It worked really well for me.

I can't comment on the looks on an SSM, but in terms of functionality, it would keep crap off my doors and my side sills. Without the mudguards now, I have a little bit more maintenance work every week.

 

Mudgaurds definately protect your car from unwanted road spray on the lower part of your car, but what about the top too? You can get more stuff from the car in front of you then what you will get from the road from your own car. I also found that sometimes it could be a pain in the snow as well as it packed in their pretty good. I myself don't have mudgaurds but did on my old car and didn't find them really that useful. When it comes down to it, after it rains I wash, so that spray from the road really doesn't hurt since it will get washed off in the weekly wash cycle.

 

I have the anthracite and installed mud guard the first week I had the car. Where I live there is so much construction going on, you never know what's waiting for you up the road. So for me, mud guards are an absolute MUST to protect my car.. regardless of the color clash.

 

i have them, i hardly notice them at all.

 

We are about even on the poll! What I think would help me is if we could post some pictures of your SS TL's with the mud guards as well as w/o mud gurards that way I could atleast determine on the looks....

 

One word: YES

 

Does anyone have any pictures?

 

what's a "SS" TL ??

 

Silver Satin

 

i can post after i get home after 12

 

Pic would be nice. I say no on the mud gaurds.

 

Mudguards are not necesary on the TL. The siderails on the side of the car are wide enough to do the same function. And, they are ugly!

 

Leo,

Thanks

 

Definitely no mud guards.

 

If you get the Guards Paint them.......

 

here are the pix. http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88048




just took this photo, a bit dark around mud guard area, had to photoshop a bit. that's why the shadow is kinda funny blueish.

 

Leo,

That was just what I needed to see....Your a God sent!! My car exactly...Actually the mud guards make it look a little more sporty in my opinion...Just a little more contrast and my wife preaches to me about contrast (furniture..walls..ect..)

Thank you for taking the time to send those to me.

Sporlux

 

they make the car looks a bit lower.