markrivers

i'm with you on both counts.
and i'm the same with my phones, whether it's the iphone or the BlackBerry Bold.
i like them naked. among other things.

and i'm one of those guys who don't park NEAR anywhere, especially near the disabled parking space.
Surprisingly, i always have a parking spot.. and exercise.
i chuckle everytime i see drivers waiting idle 5-15 minutes for a parking space that is SO near where they're going.

TomT127

I installed them on our 2006 Rav 4 we had prior to the 350 and all you had to do was look and see all the dings and paint chips on the molding to appreciate their value. Immediately after buying the 350 we had the dealer install them. Honestly I don't know why they don't come standard.

markrivers

i like it that way. That the side moldings is an after market product.
i prefer my doors to look like 1 sheet/piece of metal.

kitlz

I'm not a fan of the side molding especially after having it on the 330 and the different lower door panel on the 300. Neither had door dings since I parked them in a different state But I can appreciate they blend in well, work as designed for the most part, and the cost is not bad, equal to maybe a few PDRs. I'm glad we have the choice this time around.

InRBigness

The moldings were standard up until the 10 model when they were removed as a cost saving thing. They are the exact same pieces that the factory would have installed and they come color matched and warranted its just now they get to charge us for them.

I agree with TomT127, they have paid for themselves the first time some yutz opens his 1/2 tom door into yours. I will let them take a beating and if one breaks I will get another set. I hope I wont have to be repainting the doors.

jclem

I put them on my '10 when they were Finally available. Unfortunately, doors and shopping carts, etc had already done some damage (yes, I realize the moldings don't prevent all of them).
I just picked up a '12 and the moldings are due here tomorrow. I personally also like the look , but as always "to each his/her own".

My biggest disappointment with the '12 is that my favorite color of all time, Black Sapphire, was no longer available. I like the Stargazer Black, but not as much.

mklemovitc

I was admiring a 2010 Matador Red (my current fave RX color) RX350 on the highway today -without- the moldings and thinking how it would look with them. I came to the conclusion that any clean and well-kept 3G would look fine. I'd even add the color-matched door edge guards.

...now wondering if the 2013 will have the Riviera Red featured on the 2013 GS....

Sfcyclist

Initially I had doubt on how the molding would look as well. After installing them, I actually like the way they look. I never realized how tall and bare the doors look without the moldings. Of all the cars I've owned, these by far are the smallest. Clearly they are not as protective as the ones on the 1st gen. Those were amazingly protective.

jclem

Does anyone still have a copy of the installation instructions which they could post? I ordered them from Sewell but they came without the directions, just a label saying 'contact your dealer..' However, parts departments aren't open on Sunday. Thanks

kitlz

The directions are posted on their website:

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/pdf/PT29A48111.pdf

jclem

Great, thanks, Anita!

kitlz

Glad I could help. Good luck with the installation.

TomT127

Two months after installing molding I go out to the car and find this:


I will put some touch-up paint on it this weekend. Just glad I am touching up the molding and not the door itself. Best money I ever spent.

kitlz

Sorry to see that, Tom. I'm glad the side molding did its job and good luck touching it up. Makes me wonder though if they are an invitation to people to open their doors carelessly.

InRBigness

I highly doubt that as I find that who are careless are careless whether you take precautions or not. Unfortunately people can be jerks to other peoples stuff.