OEM Mud Flaps Yay or Nay?

3002 tii · 08-27-2013, 06:03 PM

If all goes well, I'll be picking up my new 135is Le Mans on Boston black this Friday and I intend on doing everything possible to keep the car's exterior in good shape. That means new car prep, Opticoat, and clear bra (bumpers, headlight, mirrors, partial hood & fenders). But what's everyone's thoughts on the OEM mud flaps?

I'm most worried about the rocker panels but I wonder if they'll take away from the car's beautiful lines. Maybe LMB is dark enough where it won't be so noticeable?

New21er · 08-27-2013, 06:19 PM

YAY!

owen2001 · 08-27-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

...but I wonder if they'll take away from the car's beautiful lines.

That.

I'm not a fan. The 135is is a real beauty IMO. The flaps only detract from those clean lines you mentioned. Just my $.02.

tuco44 · 08-27-2013, 06:37 PM

No. Detract from lines of car.

jkoral · 08-27-2013, 06:41 PM

Had them (space gray) on for a few months. Ultimately decided against the look, even though they offer more protection. Might be different on LMB. The DIY on here with an AW looks great though.

One alternative: Pull off your brand new side skirts and put on tii side skirts (which should have come stock on 135is IMHO). You'll then have a pristine set of stock side skirts in the garage to fall back on.

doublevanosrc · 08-27-2013, 06:44 PM

Mud flaps? Sure if you plan on going off roading in the woods searching for gators.

3002 tii · 08-27-2013, 07:01 PM

No off-roading but tri-state road conditions are pretty terrible especially during winter time. Add to that my 70 mile round trip commute thought it might be worth it. But all good, you guys have convinced me to not bother!

gregthegr8 · 08-27-2013, 07:16 PM

I'd say no for now, play it by ear come winter and if you start to notice a bunch of crap, you can always just put them on later, whereas you might not want to do it the other way around depending on how they mount.

08LMB135i · 08-27-2013, 07:26 PM

Yes, paint was chipping and peeling pretty bad on the lips of the fenders/bumper/skirts before I installed Rally Armor flaps last week.

On a side note I may be the only 135i owner in the world with Rally Armor flaps on my car.

z4nomore · 08-27-2013, 07:54 PM

How about using Armor All Custom Shield on those areas?

3002 tii · 08-27-2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08LMB135i

Yes, paint was chipping and peeling pretty bad on the lips of the fenders/bumper/skirts before I installed Rally Armor flaps last week.

On a side note I may be the only 135i owner in the world with Rally Armor flaps on my car.

Pics?

Walt White Coupe · 08-27-2013, 07:57 PM

The OEM splash guards are cheap. Less than $50 for all 4. They install with plastic push pins. You don't have to drill anything. Don't like them, take them off. I personally like the protection they provide. On the 09 vette the factory guards actually finish off the look of the wheel well and improve the look of the car. Quite a feat. But the 135i is my winter, people carrying car and I don't think they look that bad. And on a dark color car they would almost disappear.
.

Pyrat 2 · 08-27-2013, 07:58 PM

Religious war on this topic. i went for them for the protection. Tradeoff of looks vs protection. You need to make the call.

jzmundy · 08-27-2013, 08:12 PM

Have the splash guards on my JB 135 - the amount of splash they cut out is remarkable. My car stays much cleaner for much longer. Moreover, I think they actually enhance the squatty look from the rear (with +15 mm spacers on stock rims).

08LMB135i · 08-27-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

Pics?

Walt White Coupe · 08-27-2013, 08:59 PM

Sorry, but that IS ugly.

08LMB135i · 08-27-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt White Coupe

Sorry, but that IS ugly.

Just your opinion, I drive a lot of snow, gravel and dirt roads, my car is an outdoor car and id like to avoid having huge patches of paint chipping off, its already bad enough as it is.

tuco44 · 08-27-2013, 09:08 PM

I spent many years in Calgary so I understand what you are saying about winter conditions.

BUT, they are still ugly.....

Walt White Coupe · 08-27-2013, 09:08 PM

I'll give it practical but it's still ugly.

3002 tii · 08-27-2013, 09:09 PM

The pics were helpful in that I can see how well they blend in with Le Mans but I hope the oem ones look better than those

gregthegr8 · 08-27-2013, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

The pics were helpful in that I can see how well they blend in with Le Mans but I hope the oem ones look better than those

The ones on the white one are the OEM ones. I wonder also if anybody has considered painting them to match the body color and if that would look better/worse or defeat the entire purpose.

IEDEI · 08-27-2013, 09:52 PM

i like them! i think i'd be down to use them in the winter for sure....

08-27-2013, 06:03 PM	#1
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	OEM Mud Flaps Yay or Nay? If all goes well, I'll be picking up my new 135is Le Mans on Boston black this Friday and I intend on doing everything possible to keep the car's exterior in good shape. That means new car prep, Opticoat, and clear bra (bumpers, headlight, mirrors, partial hood & fenders). But what's everyone's thoughts on the OEM mud flaps? I'm most worried about the rocker panels but I wonder if they'll take away from the car's beautiful lines. Maybe LMB is dark enough where it won't be so noticeable? __________________ Follow for latest mods Last edited by 3002 tii; 11-16-2013 at 10:37 PM..
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08-27-2013, 06:19 PM	#2
New21er Lieutenant 35 Rep 550 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Stanwood, wa. iTrader: (2)	YAY!
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08-27-2013, 06:37 PM	#4
tuco44 Colonel 644 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	No. Detract from lines of car. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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08-27-2013, 06:41 PM	#5
jkoral Lieutenant Colonel 1023 Rep 1,968 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (7)	Had them (space gray) on for a few months. Ultimately decided against the look, even though they offer more protection. Might be different on LMB. The DIY on here with an AW looks great though. One alternative: Pull off your brand new side skirts and put on tii side skirts (which should have come stock on 135is IMHO). You'll then have a pristine set of stock side skirts in the garage to fall back on.
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08-27-2013, 06:44 PM	#6
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,507 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	Mud flaps? Sure if you plan on going off roading in the woods searching for gators. __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
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08-27-2013, 07:01 PM	#7
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	No off-roading but tri-state road conditions are pretty terrible especially during winter time. Add to that my 70 mile round trip commute thought it might be worth it. But all good, you guys have convinced me to not bother! __________________ Follow for latest mods
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08-27-2013, 07:16 PM	#8
gregthegr8 Admiral of the Fleet 265 Rep 3,552 Posts Drives: Cars Usually Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (5)	I'd say no for now, play it by ear come winter and if you start to notice a bunch of crap, you can always just put them on later, whereas you might not want to do it the other way around depending on how they mount.
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08-27-2013, 07:26 PM	#9
08LMB135i Rally Armored 135i, don't copy me! 1 Rep 186 Posts Drives: 2008 Lemans Blue 135i M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Calgary Alberta iTrader: (0)	Yes, paint was chipping and peeling pretty bad on the lips of the fenders/bumper/skirts before I installed Rally Armor flaps last week. On a side note I may be the only 135i owner in the world with Rally Armor flaps on my car.
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08-27-2013, 07:54 PM	#10
z4nomore Enlisted Member 0 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	How about using Armor All Custom Shield on those areas?
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08-27-2013, 07:57 PM	#12
Walt White Coupe Captain 221 Rep 738 Posts Drives: 2013 650ix Coupe, 23 C8 Vette Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Phila, PA iTrader: (0)	The OEM splash guards are cheap. Less than $50 for all 4. They install with plastic push pins. You don't have to drill anything. Don't like them, take them off. I personally like the protection they provide. On the 09 vette the factory guards actually finish off the look of the wheel well and improve the look of the car. Quite a feat. But the 135i is my winter, people carrying car and I don't think they look that bad. And on a dark color car they would almost disappear. .
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08-27-2013, 07:58 PM	#13
Pyrat 2 Colonel 1418 Rep 2,560 Posts Drives: Rapidly from A to B Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs or TN Smokies iTrader: (3) Garage List 2022 Porsche GT4 [9.64] 2018 Porsche GT3 [9.33] 2007 Z4 M Roadster [8.33] 2020 BMW X1 [0.00]	Religious war on this topic. i went for them for the protection. Tradeoff of looks vs protection. You need to make the call.
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08-27-2013, 08:12 PM	#14
jzmundy Major 991 Rep 1,495 Posts Drives: F97 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (6)	Have the splash guards on my JB 135 - the amount of splash they cut out is remarkable. My car stays much cleaner for much longer. Moreover, I think they actually enhance the squatty look from the rear (with +15 mm spacers on stock rims). __________________ Then - E53, E85, E92, E82, F15, F80, G01 Now - F97, Macan S
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08-27-2013, 08:59 PM	#16
Walt White Coupe Captain 221 Rep 738 Posts Drives: 2013 650ix Coupe, 23 C8 Vette Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Phila, PA iTrader: (0)	Sorry, but that IS ugly.
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08-27-2013, 09:08 PM	#18
tuco44 Colonel 644 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	I spent many years in Calgary so I understand what you are saying about winter conditions. BUT, they are still ugly..... __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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08-27-2013, 09:09 PM	#20
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	The pics were helpful in that I can see how well they blend in with Le Mans but I hope the oem ones look better than those __________________ Follow for latest mods
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08-27-2013, 09:52 PM	#22
IEDEI Banned 1130 Rep 4,686 Posts Drives: L'Orange Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Brooklyn, NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 1M [8.40]	i like them! i think i'd be down to use them in the winter for sure....
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