Are mudflaps worth it?

1051 Views 17 Replies 16 Participants Last post by glxpassat, Aug 21, 2002

vwhan

Discussion Starter · Aug 5, 2002

I am thinking of adding mudflaps (splashguards) to my car. Front mudflaps are $38 and $33 for rear from VW. Is it worth the price plus installation fees?
Thanks

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

ibijo

· #2 · Aug 5, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (vwhan)

I took mine off after a year. They tend to get bashed and bruised when you parrallel park into a space. They also drag and sometimes actually tear off their mounts when you exit from moderately steep drives onto a street. I think the problem is, they dont flex enough to give in to the regular city driving "encounters". I know my car's a B4, but my brother took the flaps off his B5 too after having the same exact problems.
Mind you, that this problem really exists only for the rear flaps. I left my front flaps on and they have been OK so far in the last four years since I mounted them.

[Modified by ibijo, 11:26 PM 8-5-2002]

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not_too_shabby

· #3 · Aug 5, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (ibijo)

They are definitely worth it if you like a clean car. Also it prevents, tar, paint, etc from splashing up onto the side of the car if you are unfortunate enough to drive through it.

jhutton91

· #4 · Aug 6, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (vwhan)

I had flaps all the way around. I also have sport springs all the way around. The looks were fine but the rears scraped all the time, whether it was pulling into/out of the driveway, crawling over speedbumps, or driving around with someone in the rear seat.
Needless to say, I am disappointed, because I liked the looks and the "splash-guarding". They are in my garage now....want 'em?

ph7

· #5 · Aug 6, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (jhutton91)

Some people here with dropped suspensions just cut a inch or two off the rear flaps and no more dragging. But if you don't want your, I might be interested in them

FLYWGN

· #6 · Aug 6, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (ph7)

No. It doesn't get that dirty back there that I've found. -pd

VeeReihenmotor6

· #7 · Aug 6, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (FLYWGN)

I put the mud-flaps on my new GLX, but they are soon coming back off. I might keep them if I lived in snow country, but here in California they seem kind of dumb. The B5.5 edition mud flaps are much bigger than the B5 style. The rear ones look positively dorky.

CecilP

· #8 · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (vwhan)

I had a set on my 2000 4Motion for 2.5 years, and they were great. I'll be putting a set on my new wagon tomorrow. I run pretty wide tires (225/50-16's), and the splash guards do a great job of keeping the car clean. I rarely scraped with stock springs on my sedan, but I intend to drop this car and may end up trimming the guards.
I think they're worth every penny.

HKB5Variant

· #9 · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (vwhan)

I have order a set for my lowered wagon. I'm going to paint them and the black lower part into body color. I do think these painted parts cannot stand for the high speed sand blasting action without the protection of mudflaps.

Luigidf

· #10 · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (vwhan)

regarding aesthetics.... NO! IMHO.
for the rest, might be... but they look terribly bad. Just a little less than those "bras". I guess here in europe bras look as bad as a crime...

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VeeDubDude

· #11 · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (Luigidf)

i have them on my 2001.5 GLX. i prefer the "guardless" look but in this area, they go a long way in helping to keep crud off the car. in the winter they keep snow and salt of the sides (at least to a lesser degree) and they keep too much crap from being kicked under the rear bumper cover. ever stick a hose up under there in the middle of the winter?

try it next winter and see what drops out! because of our crappy winters, that inevitably leads to potholes and dozens of city trucks cruising around the city and plopping mounds of hot tar in them.

whenever i get a new car, i don't put them on right away thinking maybe it will be different. they're always on within a month.
only thing i'm watching is to make sure that the paint is not damaged underneath them. i'm always careful to aim a hose right at them to try to rinse out any dirt. there's a thread on the acura-tl.com board about how their guards are actually etching into the paint

they're starting a campaign to get them off their cars. has anyone noticed any significant paint damage after removing the guards?

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mmmmark

· #12 · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (vwhan)

This is a subjective question like "blonde or brunette".

I personally love the look and functionality of mine. They are always caked with mud and tar but very little finds its way onto the sides of the car. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
My car is not lowered and therefore, they have never scraped on anything. They fit great! I'd encourage anyone without 10 thumbs to self-install them instead of a dealer.

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mauslick

· #13 · Aug 8, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (mmmmark)

i have found that blonds, brunettes and redheads dig mud flaps...........plus they keep the car clean......so it's a win / win......

ibijo

· #14 · Aug 8, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (vwhan)

My opinion is, mudflaps are not exactly the most sporty add ons you can put on your cars. I know it's a stretch, but have you ever seen any seriously sporty car from Europe come out of the factory with mudflaps.
I know gramps tend to wander towards the mudflaps at Target when I go shopping with him. He thinks it'll be kinda neat on his Buick together with the chrome curb feelers.

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vwhan

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 8, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (ibijo)

Thanks for all the opinions. Your opinions have helped me decide to hold off on the mudflaps and save that money for some wheels. Being in GA, snow and slush won't be a problem here.
Thanks again everyone at the vortex.
Hany

smsjetta

· #16 · Aug 21, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (vwhan)

Does anyone have pics of b5.5's with mudflaps. Preferably Silverstone, blue anthracite, and the rear flaps which people say look huge? In one picture they look like they actually stick out about an inch off the side of the car.

hejl

· #17 · Aug 21, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (smsjetta)

I don't have a picture handy, but I'm running 225 tires and the flaps still stick out further in the rear - maybe 1/2". The front is flush and looks 'correct'
I recently lowered my car 1" with the 1BE springs and I'm not sure if the flaps will remain - they haven't hit the ground yet, but they must be hovering 3" above it.

[Modified by hejl, 11:36 PM 8-21-2002]

glxpassat

· #18 · Aug 21, 2002

Re: Are mudflaps worth it? (hejl)

I am running the splash guards on the front only and have found living in Oregon (where it rains alot) that alot of debris gets thrown up on the side of the car. With the splash guards hardly anything get's thrown up on the car . I myself like the way they look up on the front.

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