gklatv

Wife wanted BSMs on her very new 2013 RX350. Got them from Sewell. Thought of DIY job, but instead took it to Lexus for a professional installation. Looks very good to us, color match is perfect in Claret Mica. Hope it works as it was intended - to attract the dings and scratches on itself instead of the door body.
Also, put on the Door Edge Guards for additional protection. That I did myself after reading step-by-step instructions from Sewell site. It was about 20 min job with a rubber mallet. The fit is good, the color match - again - is excellent. Blend well, can hardly see them from just few feet away.
Wife is happy, we are good.

TexasRxh

Years ago I used to park out in the boonies to avoid door dings. Then one afternoon I was coming out of the grocery store and a front was coming thru the area. I watched in dismay as a cart flew across the parking lot and crashed into my door. Now I put on the side moldings and just park with the rest of humanity near the door.

nuphan

I have a 2010 without the pointed side moldings and it looks pretty nice.

jclem

I just installed BSM on my 'new' CPO '10 RX Black Sapphire, and I learned something very strange and disappointing. I had to buy the moldings from an after market source (Spoiler and Wing King) because Lexus no longer makes the BSM in Black Sapphire! The quality seems OK, but I much prefer the look and shape of the originals. The adhesive strips on the after market ones are also a bit thicker and therefore the distance between the body and the molding is bigger. The originals cost a little more, which I gladly would have paid, but I had no choice.
I am amazed that after only 3 years, Lexus would discontinue an accessory color. Sewell had 15 other colors but not mine!!

Sevn86

I feel it makes the side of the RX look too busy.

dctex99

I don't like the looks of them on an RX; only thing worse is on a Corvette.......had my 13 for exactly 1 year Friday;no dings........

ob450h

They look really good (I have to say so) on my '13 450h and saved me from getting dinged several times already in the 6 months I've owned the car. I also use common sense while parking.... Stupid me also bought %$%@#&* Lexus no ding package.

waapples

I would rather put the clear film (like the one you put on the front clear bra) on the entire door panels, Although looking at the RX F Sports w/ the side mouldings, I started to like it, but only on RX F Sports though for my personal taste.

User 41924

My Mom has side moldings on her '07 RX (with 30K miles!), and they have chips up and down their length. I've tried to convince her that she needs to stop parking in the grocery store parking lot, but she refuses to listen. I don't understand why! Something about liking to eat.

In my opinion, chips on the moldings look just as bad as chips in the door. Others might say this proves their worth. On the bright side, they prevent actual dents, and you can replace the moldings if you choose . If you need them and they look like they belong ( and they do) ...... go for it. I would think they would almost disappear on a black RX.

Door edge guards? Nope. Maybe I'm wrong, but all they seem to do is keep you from damaging YOUR car when you smack someone else's! I prefer to not hit anything else in the first place.

inscents41

I picked up my new RX 350 last Friday from a NJ dealer. I tried to get them to throw in the side moldings before I closed the lease deal but they refused. The finance person went over all of the possible add ons and wanted $585 for the moldings. I ended up ordering them from Sewell for $98 and installed them in 1/2 hour. So my questions is: Are the moldings the dealer was going to install the same ones that I bought from Sewell?

BertL

Generally, yes. ...but there is nothing stopping a dealer installing aftermarket versions. I've seen some that have more squared-off ends opposed to the Lexus OEM version on showroom floors. Also, there are posters on the forum here that installed an aftermarket version that has a chrome strip through it (not my thing, but to each there own when it comes to colors and personalization!) You likely made a great decision installing them yourself as many people here have. My dealer showed $895 on the showroom floor sticker for some models (outlandish -- but a huge negotiation point for those that have done 5 minutes of research before going into the dealership).

BTW, congrats on your new ride. A beauty!

TomT127

$585 ? Ridiculous. Paid around $250 for mine installed.

gklatv

I got the body side moldings from Sewell, too, right after picking up new 2013 RX350 locally in April. Was planning to install them by myself, but decided to let dealer do the installation for $100. I've requested the molding on the front doors to be shifted toward car front about 1/8" extra so I could install edge guard afterward. All worked out very well, and looks good. Then I also added mudguards and side window deflectors to complete the exterior appearance.

wrenninger

Just set an appointment to install side moldings. It will be fun to see what Wilde in Sarasota asks and gets for the moldings.

inscents41

Good idea about leaving space for the edge guards, I didn't think of that.