Splash Guards - Are they functional?

[mk15]

Are the splash guards functional? I had a lot of rock chips on my CX-7 even after I got splash guards. So I'm already having doubts the splash guards for the QX50 are actually functional.

[Audimontreal]

I would get them...especially if you live in an area where there is snow, gravel, and or salt it will reduce the risk
Driving on hwy's also increases the chances for potential damage and sandblasting the rocker panels

I have them on my A4 and have been great same thing on my EX where I always find snow stuck inside
I personally find them to complement well the black lower moldings around the car giving it some "rugged" look and are relatively cheap...
Mazda by the way tends to have a softer paint which chips easily along with rust lol trust me I had a 2003 Protege and a 2007 Mazda3

[mk15]

Thanks for the reply!

Where I am here in Panama (Central America) it's +27C year round, with 2 distinct seasons: wet and not so wet. But the roads have so much gravel, grit and gravel, you'd think it was recently after the spring melt finished. Although when I used to live in Edmonton, Alberta, I don't recall any of my cars having much damage on the sides even without the splash guards. Most of the damage was on the nose of the car and the regularly occurring windshield cracks.

Mazdas having soft paint might explain it. But it sure was fun to drive. And to think, I almost got a Rav4 back then.

I'll buy the splash guards. In the grand scheme of things $100USD is small stuff compared to possible paint damage. Although I'll definitely have to import it from the USA. The only Infiniti dealer in the country is charging $1250 USD for a tonneau... and that's after discount.

[Audimontreal]

Just get them from canada or the us or even from the web like eBay... And have them installed locally
I find them nice and that added rugged look besides long term gravel and crap will inevitably damage and chip any paint on those rock panels and better be safe than sorry

[mk15]

Yeah. I just ordered them from a dealer in the states. splash guards, illuminated skid plate, bumper guard, roof rack rails, floor mats, cargo mat, tonneau, G37 muffler... I may have gone somewhat overboard.

[Audimontreal]

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[Audimontreal]

LOL you did go a bit overboard but who cares you should be set for now

I really like the illuminated skid plate by the way!

What I do not get is how stingy and cheap Infiniti is becoming with optional splash guards, tonneau...etc really? Those should be standard on a Japanese luxury car!

In addition, so not let me start with their annoying and darn expensive option packages that are interdependent makes me wonder if they have started being "inspired" by the Germans where literally everything is a freakin option...and to me that traditional "Japanese value proposition" to begin with is starting to get less & less appealing...

[mk15]

I totally understand. Although the "base" Journey AWD had everythign standard that I ever wanted. Although if I could have, I would had gotten the tech package that gives your all around camera system. I"m sure the Q5, X3, Evoque, Lexus are just as nice if not nicer, they were all "meh" in terms of fun driving and performance. The RDX kinda came close but it felt so cheap... Honda, you really need to get your act together. I wanted the TL but... I can't drift FWD that well. I wish the QX50 had a handbrake, would make drifting easier.

Just for fun, I optioned up the Evoque and I ended up with a price tag north of $100K.