I was looking for mudguards ran across these aftermarket mud guards/flaps on ebay and think they actually look better than the OEM ones. Has anyone purchased these or similar. There are several vendors selling them from various countries in Asia. They are not much if any cheaper than OEM.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flap-flaps-splash-guard-mudguards-4pcs-exterior-for-2010-2012-LEXUS-RX350-/400441576759?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d3c2d8d37&vxp=mtr#ht_5644wt_934

 

The eBay ones are similar to the Lexus but they look kind of flimsy. For the price ($60), I'd stick with Lexus. Theirs are made in Canada.

 

Is it me, or the ones installed on the red RX look like OEM. The plastic color in the other pictures of the mudguards by themselves looks off.

 

I just received a set that look similar to these. I don't think they're going to fit perfectly - the bolt holes don't seem to line up exactly right. Anyhow it's Saturday tomorrow so I'll put them on and see how they go. I'll give you a report afterwards.

 

OK, I got three of them on - I'll do the fourth later but have to shift the car out of the garage first.

First point - if you have access to a hoist it will make life so much easier.

As expected, the bolt holes on the flaps weren't an exact match for those on the car. However, I was pretty unimpressed by the quality of material and fabrication of the under-body parts that these flaps connect to, so I'm blaming Lexus as much as the manufacturer. There's a lot of flimsy plastic and fibre, none of it very well screwed together. I know these parts don't take any structural load, but the look was definitely Chery or Great Wall rather than Lexus.

The front flaps have a bolt which goes vertically upwards into the car's paneling - with the flap in place this bolt is too short and I had to get a longer one. The flap is flexible so it's easier to get this bolt in than it looks at first - just bend part of the flap out of the way.The front flaps also have a bit of double-sided tape, but on the one front I have installed so far this just peeled off.

The rear flaps each require two holes to be drilled into the car panel - it's just plastic, so quite easy and nothing to rust.

The three that I've installed so far look OK, but are not an exact colour match for the car's trim. There are also some small gaps where things don't fit exactly. SWMBO reckons they look Ok but I can certainly see the difference. I'd be interested if anybody has used original Lexus flaps to compare.

 

Amazing how individuals will drop some $50K to buy a new RX and then they cheap out on a few dollars for such items like mud flaps. Get the OEM and you will be happier.

 

Yes, people are funny like that. But having forked out $85k for my Lexus (things are not cheap in Oz) I have little patience for being reamed out further by the $tealership who wanted something like $600 to supply and install. Likewise the rear bumper cover is listed over $400 here and the list goes on.

To the OP, I'd suggest you get your flaps from somewhere like Sewell but install them yourself. I think I should have done that myself.

 

Installed OEM mudguards I've got from Sewell this morning. They fitted perfectly. The front ones use existing screws and bolt already on the vehicle. The rear one reuses the existing bolt on the bottom and 2 screws with spring clips are supplied for each rear mudguard. No drilling required - the screws easily go in to plastic.
That was easy 20 min task. The process is very similar to my previously installing OEM mudguards on Toyota and Honda vehicles.

 

Toyota being Lexus parent company, would the same model year Highlander Limited mudguards fit my Rx350?
Their accessory catalog pics are very similiar but not sure due to angle.
I've looked around for cross reference part catalogs but Toyota uses a different part numbering system.

Just asking because I have a few acquaintances that are offering their Toyota discounts.

 

I doubt they will fit, the Highlander has a different body.