I agree with other that it looks very nice, and the price for a good job isn't bad either.

A short time ago I was looking at a new Audi Allroad wagon and they come with plastic arches in a charcoal gray. Some buyers were getting theirs done too and the cost was in the $750 range. If you special order from the factory you can have the arches painted to match the body color, but it's $1,000!!.

 

Looks great!

 

Not personally a fan because now you've removed the contrast of the car. There is now nothing on the lower half of the car that creates a contrast with the body and aligns with the taillights. The taillights look like they are on a lonely island now.

Shrug..maybe just me.

 

I'm also not a fan. But he likes it, and that's what counts here!

 

I noticed that more and more SUVs have the black plastic trims, can anyone explain why?

 

maybe a style thing? I can't think that they are saving any money given that they already stamped the fender.

And the downside of them is 2 major things:

1. Color fade unless properly treated
2. Traps Salt and will accelerate rusting the fender out.

 

Definitely not a style thing. But probably the practical reasons you listed. The two Corollas (hatch and sedan) in our family have no plastic fenders but the newer Honda and the NX does.

 

In the segment it's a mixed bag of who has the contrasting cladding and who doesn't (NX, X3, Q5, GLC, RDX, MKC etc.), It does seem like primarily a styling thing to give the luxury compact CUV a more rugged, sporty look.

 

Has anyone mentioned best manner to maintain/properly treat the black plastic fenders?

 

Is that chrome molding on the doors OEM or aftermarket?

 

That looks much better!

 

LNXT200, the chrome is aftermarket. I saw another member's pictures on this forum (I can't remember who) that had the same chrome.

 

i really wish lexus had made the vehicle like this or at least made it an option for a higher-tiered package because i think that your car looks absolutely beautiful.

 

Thanks davyjordi. I too believe Lexus should offer a package with these color options. Maybe they will in the mid-cycle update around 2018 model. I would not hold my breath though.

 

you're very welcome! you did an amazing job.

oh, and i wouldn't hold my breath on lexus offering what you've done either.