When did this design element become popular on many SUV's and CUV's?
05-15-19, 12:24 PM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Would seem that black would lower costs? It's expensive to have components keyed to the color of the vehicle. Take a LS430 for example, down to the caps on the door handles. They're like $38 each for a knub. If they were simply black pieces of plastic on all cars, imho easier to get used parts and cheaper. Drip rails are another...
05-15-19, 12:31 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
05-15-19, 12:53 PM
#18
Pole Position
Thread Starter
You're talking to someone who went looking for a new screw for a GM fender liner. They cost $4.81 each list price. You can get 38% off online, so ~$2.98 + $9.95 shipping = $12.93. Or you go to the dealer, get it for $5.10 with sales tax. Not a typo--ridiculous. I refused to pay that for a single screw. It's black, and looks like a wood screw. If Lowe's had it would be 23 cents.
What I ended up doing was to get knock-offs. No, not eBay coming from overseas, but rather, a OEM that makes classic car parts and for all we know they supply GM. I think I ended up with 25 for $12 plus another $4 for shipping? And yes, I only needed 1, but it was the principle.
What I ended up doing was to get knock-offs. No, not eBay coming from overseas, but rather, a OEM that makes classic car parts and for all we know they supply GM. I think I ended up with 25 for $12 plus another $4 for shipping? And yes, I only needed 1, but it was the principle.
05-15-19, 01:12 PM
#20
Racer
05-15-19, 01:17 PM
#21
Super Moderator
I think the existence of the plastic trim is to prevent the rusting that invariably occurs on the rolled fender edge as cars age. I've seen it on both the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, but is body color on both. Once the manufacturer has decided to add the plastic (which does cost more than not having it), making it black is cost cutting.
05-15-19, 01:28 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
as a design element the wheel arch / fender caps / cladding is probably there to downplay the ludicrous vertical height from wheel arch to hood on many (primarily u.s. brand) models. the new ecosport comes to mind, but curiously they don't use the caps, they try to downplay the height with actual fender bulges... plus the black plastic 'skirt' around the whole car. 
05-15-19, 01:30 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
05-15-19, 01:42 PM
#25
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Agree, I first really discovered it when my mom asked me to look at a 2019 Highlander (Limited) for my feedback. I went to a dealership and told the sales person I wanted to see a Limited... when they took me to the vehicle I assumed they took me to the wrong trim because it had the black plastic around the wheel well. I had always associated that with the lower-end trim cars over the years so was surprised to see it on the upper end trim. Then I started noticing it on tons of other manufacturers as well. I'm not a fan of it, especially on the lighter-colored cars.
05-15-19, 02:32 PM
#26
I don't think it is anything new, it's been around for years. But adding it to a Luxury vehicle is wrong imo. My 2015 Lexus NX had it around the wheel wells and I hated it. Some here in the NX forum even painted over it.
05-15-19, 03:29 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Its "rugged"
05-15-19, 03:33 PM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
The black cladding is there for a reason. The AllRoad is essentially the German Outback...a bad-weather wagon meant for driving in snow, ice, winter conditions, and salt/abrasives on the road that can damage or deteriorate painted surfaces.
05-15-19, 04:08 PM
#30
Lexus Fanatic
