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Like most forum members I am not a fan of bodyside moldings, but I do feel the door panels for the new RX are just begging for a dent from a careless or jealous driver. I just encountered a picture of the bodyside molding on a new RX posted on another thread (re: window tinting) but I was unable to paste it in here. The link to the picture is below and hopefully it will process OK for those interested in seeing it.
The problem with bodyside moldings is that they are just too thin and indeed look like obvious add-ons. If only Lexus, or an after market supplier, could design moldings that really fit in with the contours of the new front and rear passenger door panels. Perhaps even with a slight downward tilt (back to front) to complement the present door styling. My 2 cents.
Not fond of the body side molding. They take away from the lines but that is just a personal preference. For people who have to park in parking lots everyday, it can save you from "some" dings.
Thinking of putting these on worry about parking it in tight spaces people with beatrers fling the door open with no regard happened before in a vons parking lot. Anyone else using the bodyside moldings & have some pics?
Far as aftermarket they have chrome ones etc that fit in different places on the car on eBay u can see some.
Why do you say that if someone swings their door open it sticks out so it will hit the body side molding instead of your door right?
I would give you, at best, a 50% chance that the door will actually hit that little thin side molding. More like 20%. Pickup will hit you door way higher while smaller cars may hit below.
Maybe if you put three or four of these on each door . . . .
These seem to be more of a decoration that to have much function. You will be lucky if the offending door hit it.
I have the BSM on my MDX and the wife's ES300h and it seems to work fine. To your point, I personally don't think the BSM looks bad in the pic, but for it to be really functional it looks to me like it needs to be about 6" higher. But then it would look terrible.
I have the BSM on my MDX and the wife's ES300h and it seems to work fine. To your point, I personally don't think the BSM looks bad in the pic, but for it to be really functional it looks to me like it needs to be about 6" higher. But then it would look terrible.
Yah I don't see how it wouldn't work whether or not the car opening the door next to you is higher or lower the door is a good3 feet tall so it should block it on most cars and suv's. Yah i've been thinking about installing myself and how high to put them and where would look best/most protective.
Ok I now see what RXOwner is saying received my lexus ones today and the edge of the door that sticks out towards the bottom of the rx sticks out even further then the door molding so perhaps the aftermarket ones that attach there would be more protective.
I'm currently ordered and I'm in wait to receive my 2016 RX 450h F Sport... only two more months (fingers crossed)
This is my 3rd RX. Honestly, I have opted for side moldings in both my previosu RXs (owned a 2004 RX350 and currently own a 2010 450H)... the moldings just complimented their softer designs
In the case with the 2016s: I say Nay
the ones that you can order with Lexus are just thick, thin and plain ugly. They take away from the lines and angles of this new design, in my opinion.
Honestly, if you are concerned with avoiding door dings... having moldings means nothing. Like I said, both my RXs have had moldings and you always park next to that one idiot that manages to dent your doors somehow
I disagree with this...I installed them right after purchase myself ang they have proven very useful and appealing. Ive found 2 chips already on tbem from car doors dinging into them; a little touch paint then hid it quite well eather than a noticwable inflection onto the sheet panel
When I purchased my RX450H I had the dealer throw them in as a freebie when buying the car. Since they were designed for the car they would be the obvious choice and not aftermarket ones. How they look is a matter of personal taste. Yes the mouldings won't protect you all the time but to me having them there is better than having door dings from inconsiderate drivers. Better to have them than not have them. And like mcfancy says just touch up the moulding dings with touch up paint.
When I purchased my RX450H I had the dealer throw them in as a freebie when buying the car. Since they were designed for the car they would be the obvious choice and not aftermarket ones. How they look is a matter of personal taste. Yes the mouldings won't protect you all the time but to me having them there is better than having door dings from inconsiderate drivers. Better to have them than not have them. And like mcfancy says just touch up the moulding dings with touch up paint.
Just got the BSM installed on my 2017 RX350 yesterday. I'm somewhat surprised how good it looked.
Hopefully it does what it said it would do.. protect the door panels from dings.
Bodyside Molding - A Design Opportunity?
