Any real need for splashguards?
 

It may seem like a stupid question, but I've been thinking about it for a while. I'm wondering if the splashguard option is really necessary or worth it? How much will it ruin the looks of the RX-8? I'm getting black and I live near Richmond, VA. I don't know if the weather here will have a play in their effectiveness. Anyone else have them or getting them? Why or why not?

I thought they looked okay on the accessories brochure ... I'm in Canada and hoping to drive my 8 year-round - the mud guards are a must for winter driving with all the sand/salt we put on the roads up here.

I ordered them for my Black GT RX-8. Hope to see the car any day now. It was due LAST week. I think they are going to blend with the body and hardly be noticiable as they do their job of keeping the sides of the car relatively clean.

I got them, they look great, look like they belong on the car and a necessity here in the NE where tires throw up stuff towards the body behind the wheels esp. winter and spring.

I think they are a cheaper alternative to the body kit, don't lower the car profile, but blend in to the lines as they are body color and yet unobtrusive becuase they aren't flat hanging things but 3-dimensional.

I like them, sutle looks. Keeps stuff off the car.

How do the splashguards attach to the body? Self-tapping screws? I'm very hesitant to drill holes in the body for an accessory.

Mine was port installed.

Im thinking about getting the splash guards. Please post more picks here if anyone else has them. bumper to bumper side view if possible. I think the full body kits are a little too much. From what ive seen the splash guards are just enough for looks, not to mention theyre functional. thanks..

Rear splash gaurds use existing holes, no drilling required.

Haven't installed the rear yet, however I don't think any drilling is required. The plastic piece under the rocker panel, called a rock protector strip, has to be cut.

Very happy with rear gaurds, fit is excellent, color match is perfect.

Was having second thoughts about how the front splash gaurds would look. I've seen several pics in this forum, I'm going to put the fronts on soon......

is it EITHER body kit/appearance package OR splash guards? The appearance package comes with side aero flares - does that function as splash guard as well? appearance package doesn't come with front splash guards - right?

It helps to keep things where they belong.
That way, you know where to go & look...

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8291

I have the splash guards on my red RX-8. I agree they are almost a necessity with winter crud splash-up. They're not very obvious. I think they look nice. Mine were dealer-installed, so as not to delay delivery. (Whether that really worked or not, I'm not sure.) Same with the polished wheels.

IMO, they are a MUST have. Keeps Stuff/ Rocks and all from spitting up on your car. I have em on my Velocity Red 8 and I love the look.

Ummmm...

Why was it that the splash guards were not available with the Appearance package??? It was an "unavailable" option when AP was selected. Rears look sharp... may need to slap them suckers on.

The wheel wells with the appearance package get little aero flaps in the same place the mud flaps go, so you can either have one or the other...

The rear aeroflares go where the rear splash shields would go.

Since the port option for splash shields is listed for all four splash shields, that makes it a no-go.

HOWEVER, if you have the aeroflares, you can still install the FRONT spash shields, and they are available for sale separately in pairs (front pair and rear pair). Simple-dimple to install. I for one like that look. Maybe a bit too ricey? I think not.

Go to my afformentioned site for this topic.

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8291

Got pix.