I have made the decision to get a new 06 TL as soon as I can sell my 03 Accord ( used cars moving slowly-- no pun intended ) How many of you have gotten the protective side molding and wish you hadn't, how many have not gotten it and wished you had? The dealer says they charge $399 for it , just curious if it's even worth considering. I have not seen many TL's with it, so I don't have an opinion yet if it disrupts the smooth lines of the car. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Also the dealer quotes the trunk tray at
$199 installed ----- how much are others paying for this $5 piece of plastic? Will they sell it to you for $25 and let you install it your self ??? Surely you can find installation instructions somwhere on the internet ( if not there maybe a book at Barnes and Noble ----- or maybe Martha Stewart could do a segment on the art of trunk tray installation --- it would be a good thing )
Thanks for your suggestions

 

Those strips that run along the doors? Don't have them But the cons would be that they aren't very attractive.

I dont think I've seen any pictures on this forum with them installed

 

my mom had them on her 01 TL (if we are talking about the things that run along the edge of the doors)...they were color matched and didnt look very bad. they protect the actual door if you open up into something (well they protect the very edge). i wont put them on my 04, however

 

If you want to see what it looks like when installed, go to the A-Spec thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=126405&page=1, and check out the first car in that thread.

It looks a little too busy to me, too many lines trying to grab your attention.

 

Don't know about the side moldings but If by trunk tray you mean that plastic tub you put in the trunk, you should just buy one on Ebay, mine was 71 plus 15 shipping from some Acura dealer in Missouri. By the way, there is no such thing as "installation" for this, you just stick it in your trunk, that dealer is trying to pocket about 100 bucks for opening your trunk and putting it in for you, as for instructions to install TL parts, check out

https://hond.hostasaurus.com/Merchant2/instructions/tl/

(take a look at the trunk tray to see what I mean about the dealer trying to rip you off)

 

It's not worth the money. Side moldings on the TL totally ruin the beautiful bodylines of the car. Dent repair companies are fantastic if you have one that is local.

 

I agree with SweetJazz, it really detracts from the clean and smooth look. I had initially considered them for my new TL as I am paranoid about dings from doors of other cars. However, it seems to me that he public in general is more aware of their actions and the number of large clunkers that do the most damage are slowly disappearing from our roads.

Many years ago I even installed door edge protectors on my cars. That also ruins the look. For now, I will take my chances and at worst may have to drop a few C notes for paintless dent removal. The initial charge is high, but the cost for additional dings is quite small if you do them all at one time.

 

Ah, the BSM debate (again)..... it was designed for a purpose or so they say. It comes down to a personal choice. If it appeals to you, doesn't degrade the design of the car or somewhat paraoid about getting door dings, etc. Get them installed. If for some reason, you don't like them, they can always be removed. On the other hand, if you think it will detract from the looks of the car or serves no purpose whatsoever, don't. You'd be surprised at the number of folks who have them installed and are quite happy with them. Here are a few links for more info.

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/mousing-over-subject-titles-shows-content-69000/
https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/office-xp-people-w-college-discount-105769/
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97130

 

Body Side Moldings (BSM's): $140 or less online, install yourself - very easy...

I wish Bplayer was right about people/public being aware of their actions..

-- Actually he is right... They are plenty aware, but it still doesn't stop them (or their kids) from throwing their doors into the car parked next to them...

My 04 WDP has had BSM's for two years. Installed myself, don't think they look bad on WDP, and I have yet to receive a ding. I still watch where I park however...

 

I have BSMs on my car. I personally don't think they look bad at all and they do offer SOME protection.

 

The dealer told me that the moldings were $450 installed! And, I thought he was treating me well up until then. I ordered them from the web for $140 and installed them myself. They came in a very nice kit and were easy to install.

Personally, I think that they improve the look of the car, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I wonder why they are not included when practically every other vehicle on the market has them.

I would include a picture but have not figured our how. Advice?

 

I have BSM's on my 04 TL and I would like to know if anyone can tell me how I can take them off? Is there a way to do this? I bought the car used so I didn't have a choice if I wanted them on there or not. Thanks!!

 

Just my opinion, but if door dings are going to happen, they will inevitably happen. They may protect you from other cars of the same height but trucks are higher.

 

I got them on our white TL, I think they look sharp.
So far, no dings!

I dont think they were expensive, $150.00 installed.

Brett

 

My car is the one on the link with the body side moldings. I got it cuz I was worried about dings but, liek the comment made earlier, I'm not really worried about that anymore. I did feel as if it took away from the flow of the car so I thought about getting it removed (which the dealership was charging me an hour of labor). Plus the fact i would probably have to get a wax after to remove the residue and what not. In the end, i convinced myself that it gives the TL a different look compared to the other 98% that don't have it.

 

I have em and love em. They in my opinion enhance the lines of the car. I have the Renando Red car.

 

I agree. Considering where I park, I have no choice but to have them.

I have 1" wide strips of 3M Paint Protection Film, (same material as clearbra) installed along them for THEIR protection.

 

i saw a wdp with the body side moldings...it didnt look too bad, although i like the TL without it. what were those things that acura offered on the 2nd gen that just went on the door edges?

 

Where's Boltjames when you need him?
What ever happened to him?

Anyway, BSMs look OK, in my opinion. I don't have them on my TL but have considered putting them on. I'm very careful where I park and have drilled it into my wife to do the same. So far no dings.

 

I thought the 3G TL has something called dent resistant side panels? Anyway, thought I saw that on the Acura website before they changed it.

 

And in case anyone's looking for data instead of just opinions, there's this thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114406

Mike

 

I had the BSM installed when I bought the car. I also asked myself the same question, then I asked myself how I would feel finding my door with a preventable ding in it. My question was answered. Bottom line is not everyone values their cars as most of us do.