What do you all think about adding the below:
1 - Door edge guards - clear film. I don't think I want this actually but is it needed?
2 - Body side molding. Probably useful to protect from dings but I see most pics here don't have this installed. So, wondering on the pros and cons.

Thank you!

 

Door edge guards were on my pre-built and don't mind them. They've done their job a few times thanks to passengers...

Body side moulding, I'm not a fan of them. I never thought about them as protection for door dings so I guess it could, but considering majority of vehicles are now SUVs, does the moulding really line up with the doors?

 

My 2024 ES350 came with film door edge guards. It does not look bad, but I do not know how they will look after a year or three. My previous car, a 2021 Toyota Avalon Touring, had the thicker color-matched plastic door edge guards. I liked the look of them better and they still looked new at three years when I traded. Needed? You never know, but the plastic strips can be owner-applied and do not harm the car. I would not try to apply the 3M Scotch Tape guards.

My Avalon got a deep ding and chipped paint on the right front door three months after I bought it. The ding was just forward of the door handle, far above the position of the Lexus side molding strips. It was a windy day, and I think the wind caught the driver door of a car or truck parked on our right side at the grocery. They drove off without leaving a note. I have seen other comments on CL that those side moldings are not likely to be in the right position to prevent a door ding. So, I view them as just decoration if you want to add some customization to your car, kind of like the rear spoiler.

As for seeing those features on pictures of cars, the door edge guards, whichever type, are a common option listed on the window sticker. I think the side moldings are an accessory/part not found on the window sticker.

 

Thank you for the insights. Truly appreciate it!
Door Edge guard: Seems a difficult task to DIY for the back door - multiple curves. Dealer charges $182 for labor. Anyway, deciding not to do it.
Side molding: Have not seen in Lexus SUVs. Getting a chipped paint despite having it!? That must have sucked to see that it still happened, especially when it's still so new. True that it gives a sleek look to the car (have it on my other car and it has so many chipped paint spots now). Still deciding...maybe will postpone it for now.

 

Door edge guards are very inexpensive and easy to install. There are many options on Amazon for around $10 a roll. The only tools required are a knife to cut them to length. I prefer installing my own as I can cover the entire door edge.

All of the rubber or plastic ones sold on Amazon come with some sort of adhesive inside to hold them in place. There are no concerns about them falling off.

 

IMHO they both looks good and adds some extra protection. I have them both on my car. Here are the instruction to both of them for reference.

Other than that, I would also check out the "Illuminated Trunk Sills" and/or "Illuminated Door Sills". Trunk sill is very good looking and adds a convenient extra lighting to the trunk. Instructions also added for reference.

Door edge (painted ones) are high quality and very easy to install yourself in less than 30min all 4 doors. You will only need a rubber mallet, lint free cloth, and rubbing alcohol.

These are also very easy to install but it will take some extra time. For these you have to be sure of measurements and positioning because once you let the adhesive touch the door they are basically bonded. The adhesive is pretty strong.

 

Personal preference - my opinion? - the moldings look awful.

 

Definitely a personal preference. I think there are more people who don't like it than ones who like it. But I can attest they do work. I personally like the look of side moldings but they do change car's aesthetics. Door edge are somewhat imperceptible.

Door Edge: For your own passengers who open doors against concrete or other stationary object without much care.

Side Moldings: For those times in parking slots when people/child's open their doors or leave shopping carts without a careless in the world. Even when you park far away. Without side moldings I'm very sure I would have 1-2 door dents by now. *Do not protect against higher SUV's.

 

Door Edge Film: Works if you tend to chip the paint on the edge of your doors, I assume it happens when you open your door and hit it on something. Wish my wife had this on her car as the passenger side is chipped quite a bit on the edge. Mine were installed as a port option and are starting to bubble already, I think I'll be having them replaced under warranty the next time I'm at the dealer.

Side Moldings: I think they look ugly and ruin the smooth contour of the door/side of the car. I went without them. Most of the other cars around me are Trucks/SUVs anyways so I'm not too sure how well they'd protect against much higher doors anyways.

 

There are 2 types of Door Edge protection from Lexus:

1. Edge Film (3M plastic strip)
2. Edge Guard (metal strip)

I prefer the metal ones; but the plastic ones should be more inconspicuous and apparently they are UV protected to prevent yellowing.

 

Mine has the door edge guards and before I picked it up at the dealership I didn't think I'd like them but I was pleasantly surprised. They give an added amount of door edge protection of course but they also give the door a bit of completeness as if trimmed. I usually don't go for add ons but now I prefer this one. Nice job Lexus.

So door edge guards yes but side moldings are still a no.

Come on April, I want to go for a drive after the winter lay up.

 

My IS has the edge guards from the factory, they are painted body matching color, you don't really notice them, they are only about 1/4 inch wide.
I had the dealer install side moldings on my ES. They're color matched to the car.I think they improve the look of the side of the car, they add a
little character to the blank side.
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Angle parked in a parallel universe
Current Hers: '24 Lexus ES350 Luxury
Current Mine: '23 Lexus IS350 F Sport/AWD

 

Interesting to learn all the inputs. It appears to be 50/50 yes and no for these. I notice more No's to the side molding which is contrary to what I expected. Good to know!
Thank you 'Scubpar' for the instructions on the self-installation. Very useful. Never thought side-molding and sills can be self-installed - meaning, didn't think it would be easy. Will check it out.
Rightly said about the edge guards - this is more for the passengers - especially guests who wouldn't care as much as you or your family would ! Reconsidering now :-)
I would've liked the sills but don't have them factory installed .

 

Based on the inputs, for edge guard the clear film seems not a preferred choice as it could bubble up, but adding a metal edge guard is still going to show the same yucky scratches and dings when it gets damaged, right? Also have to look into how easy/hard it would be to redo it when the need comes. Have to do some more research!

 

I had both of those items added to my new car when I took delivery. They’ve held up like new for 4 years and I think both look nice. I will get them both on my next Lexus, too.