Anyone have the Ebay / EDM-style under garnish kit?

[MikeyMcFly]

Hi all,

Purchased a 2016 Touring this past weekend with my wife this past weekend to replace her Scion tC that was starting to nickel and dime us. Very pleased so far, but being a tinkerer on every vehicle I've ever owned, I'm always looking around at what I can change up that works and looks good. So far I've either ordered or plan to order:

- OEM Remote Start
- WeatherTech Floor Liners
- OEM Accessory Homelink Mirror
- OEM Rear Trunk Tray
- Ebay 2013-2015 LED DRL fog surrounds (I don't like the 2016 style @ all).
- Non-OEM rear sill protector. Not in love with the stainless, but it will work better than the OEM which doesn't protect the lip

I came across this in my travels, which is a replica of the EDM garnish kit, which would cost an arm and a leg to get into the US. Not sure if I'm in love with it being stainless as opposed to the painted material of the OEM UK unit, but it doesn't look half bad. I'd probably attempt to find a way to secure it without drilling the car.

That being said, does anyone here actually own one of those pieces? If so, can I see photos of what it looks like on the car. Admittedly, I like how the lower silver looks on the CR-V and a few other CUV's so I'm curious what it looks like and how the fit/finish and quality is. At this point I'm not super interested in opinions of whether it looks good or not, I'm more interested in hearing from someone who owns it and what they think of the quality.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to getting into the new car and changing things up a bit. Can't keep a good car enthusiast down, even if the projects will be mounting up on the other vehicles for the time being.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I have not seen it posted anywhere myself. That being said it would be easy and cheap to coat or paint it.

 

[Scythe024]

For rear bumper sill, I ordered this one http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/7314264594.html?orderId=72777316218016, but still waiting for it to arrive. Like you, I didn't like the chrome or stainless look to the OEM one. It doesn't have a lip like you want and from my searching, the only one you will find that does have a lip will be a vinyl. It's not a bad option and one I almost went with. If this one doesn't turn out to my liking, than I will probably go with a carbon fiber vinyl one.

I didn't like the OEM door scuff plates either. Well they looked good, but they didn't have a lip to them, price was too high, and I didn't want chrome/stainless. I ended up ordering these https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)and plasti-dipping them. You can see them painted in this post http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123826557-What-Did-You-Do-for-Your-CX-5-Today&p=6437155&viewfull=1#post6437155

I also don't like the '16 Fog light deisgn as much as the previous gens. Debating if I want to replace it with a older gen, one with the LED line across the top, or just keep it since it does go with the front grill. I guess it depends if I end up finding a replacement front grill.

Can't help you for cargo tray or all weather mats since I got them to throw the OEM ones along with the privacy cover in for free. The Autodimming rearview mirror came with my GT as well.

The remote start was the one option I didn't get that I did want. In Cali its near impossible to find one with it installed since we dont get the cold weather for it. They wanted me to pay retail and pay for install on it if I got it. I figured why spend the money on it now if it will cost me the same now or later. I will explore my options and decide if I want to go aftermarket or if it was worth the money.

 

[MikeyMcFly]

I have not seen it posted anywhere myself. That being said it would be easy and cheap to coat or paint it.

Absolutely. I don't know if I'd even realistically buy the set but at $145.00 shipped it's tempting. I just dislike buying knockoff parts unless there's not a good OEM option. Shipping out of the UK would be painful and I can't find a US based seller.

For rear bumper sill, I ordered this one http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/7314264594.html?orderId=72777316218016, but still waiting for it to arrive. Like you, I didn't like the chrome or stainless look to the OEM one. It doesn't have a lip like you want and from my searching, the only one you will find that does have a lip will be a vinyl. It's not a bad option and one I almost went with. If this one doesn't turn out to my liking, than I will probably go with a carbon fiber vinyl one.

Makes sense. I saw that but having the lip is important enough l'll deal with the polished look. I went with one that was recommended on here and was fulfilled by Amazon so hopefully I can return it with little fanfare if it's garbage and get a protective overlay.

I didn't like the OEM door scuff plates either. Well they looked good, but they didn't have a lip to them, price was too high, and I didn't want chrome/stainless. I ended up ordering these https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)and plasti-dipping them. You can see them painted in this post http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123826557-What-Did-You-Do-for-Your-CX-5-Today&p=6437155&viewfull=1#post6437155

I also don't like the '16 Fog light deisgn as much as the previous gens. Debating if I want to replace it with a older gen, one with the LED line across the top, or just keep it since it does go with the front grill. I guess it depends if I end up finding a replacement front grill.

Can't help you for cargo tray or all weather mats since I got them to throw the OEM ones along with the privacy cover in for free. The Autodimming rearview mirror came with my GT as well.

The remote start was the one option I didn't get that I did want. In Cali its near impossible to find one with it installed since we dont get the cold weather for it. They wanted me to pay retail and pay for install on it if I got it. I figured why spend the money on it now if it will cost me the same now or later. I will explore my options and decide if I want to go aftermarket or if it was worth the money.

Door sill plates are definitely nifty, but a way's down the road for me. It's the wife's car and I don't want to go too crazy. I've got the floor liners on order and will have the trunk mat and mirror in my hands Friday.

They make the 2016 style LED fog shrouds but it appears the bar actually blocks the fog lamp which I can only image would severely limit their output. I'd rather go with the older style. Plus the wife liked the older style more anyways. Just need to figure out the best way to wire them and hide the wiring so it looks OEM. I put a Philips kit in my Tacoma which was basically plug and play, although I have an auxiliary fuse panel to make add-ons easy.

I worked the auto start into the purchase. Didn't really get a deal but it was nice to have it over and done with. I was hesitant to go aftermarket with th proximity key. I'm sure it's not an issue but didn't want to chance it. I have a Viper Responder LE in my truck that I love but who knows how challenging it would be. The only thing I don't like about the OEM unit is it shuts off the car when you open the door. Well that and the $336 cost for a second remote. Looks like Mike will just deal with the cold when it comes to cold days if I have to take it.

Shame no one has close up photos of the lower garnishes, I'd love to see an honest review.

 

[Scythe024]

Makes sense. I saw that but having the lip is important enough l'll deal with the polished look. I went with one that was recommended on here and was fulfilled by Amazon so hopefully I can return it with little fanfare if it's garbage and get a protective overlay.

Which one is that?

 

[MikeyMcFly]

Which one is that?

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned) I've seen some decent reviews for that style from other members. I loathe knockoffs, but if the OEM version isn't what I want, my hands are a bit tied. I figure if it's sold through Amazon I have some recourse if it's not what I expect and/or is damaged.

I bit the bullet so to say and ordered those under garnishes from Ebay. Again, not a fan of knockoffs, but for $145 it's worth a shot. The kit is something like $300 in the UK which isn't awful, but couple that with shipping costs and it would be easily $600-700 and for that much, I have a list of other parts I'd rather get in a perfect world.

I will report back with how they fit. If they're junk, look for them going for sale back on Ebay at a reduced rate! I have a suspicion I'll end up hitting them with silver Plastidip to tone down the stainless, but we will see.

 

[rockthebeef]

I'm looking forward to see the under garnishes on your car. I've been tempted to pick up that same set for my wife's CX-5 but it says it's not compatible with the 2016. I don't think there were any changes in 2016 that would make them not work. Do you guys know for sure?

There's another one too, but I don't think these look as good as the ones posted above.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-al...77af2c&pid=100010&rk=2&rkt=17&sd=201336476401

 

[sbkim]

I really like those stainless steel skid plates - especially the rear. Not a bad price either.

Does it not fit 2016+ model years?

 

[MikeyMcFly]

I really like those stainless steel skid plates - especially the rear. Not a bad price either.

Does it not fit 2016+ model years?

According to the ones on Amazon, they do fit 2016. The original Ebay ad says 2013-2014 and a quick search shows the part number for the rear bumper unchanged 2013-2015. I haven't found a website that lists 2016 part numbers. I'm curious to see what this looks like when it shows up. I think I was hoping it twas a bit less stainless looking, but I could always paint it if I'm not in love with the stainless. See what the wife thinks, it is her car.

 

[sbkim]

MikeyMcFly - please keep us posted. This looks like a great mod to spruce up the rear.

 

[MikeyMcFly]

MikeyMcFly - please keep us posted. This looks like a great mod to spruce up the rear.

Will do. I don't know exactly when I will be able to as the weather here is still swinging 30 degrees depending on the day. I wired up the Homelink mirror today (I wish the instructions were better) and installed the knockoff rear sill plate. I'm hoping the 3M tape on it wasn't knockoff tape since I'm worried that it may have scratched underneath during installation. It looks pretty good though, so hopefully that bodes well for the future.

 

[sbkim]

Sounds good - look forward to seeing picts. It was high 50s around Chicago this weekend but back to freezing in about 48 hours

 

[SK77X]

Yes, please do keep us posted on your progress!

I have been eyeing this modification, but not in it's standard form. I don't want to add a garnish with a stainless steel or brushed metal look because then it instantly screams "I'm an SUV!". Don't get me wrong, these sort of garnish kits look great on SUVs, but I'm not really going for that tough/rugged metal look. I want thinking something sleeker.... like black chrome.

I like how the SRT version of the Jeep Cherokee changes the chrome in the front bumper to a black chrome. This gives it a subtle but purposeful look.

Therefore, I was thinking of getting this kit and give it a black chrome finish, but before I could invest that time and money, I wanted to see proper photos of this garnish kit and how it's fit/finish is.

 

[SK77X]

If not gloss black, maybe something like matte black or grey like this.

 

[SK77X]

Here are some nice shots of this kit on a CX-5 GT.

 

[MikeyMcFly]

The only differences from the shots above and the kit I ordered is that the OEM kit is a plastic material with a silver finish that attaches to the body via tape/glue. There is a separate "fit kit" for the piece. Unfortunately the kit I ordered is stainless steel and requires tape/screws. I wish it wasn't stainless, because I have a suspicion it might not look as good as what's shown above, but we will see. Painting stainless steel doesn't appear to be the easiest task, either. The other thing is I really don't want to drill into the vehicle if I don't have to. I'm tempted to see if I can't do it with double sided tape and find a faux bolt head for where the screws are required.

Regardless, the package is somewhere in DHL's system so I will see it soon and once I did, you'll see detailed photos of it.

 

[MikeyMcFly]

I received the pieces today.

My first impressions on the set is that the stainless steel is better quality than I actually expected it to be. There's no real noticeable scratches / imperfections on the pieces. They are absolutely not OEM quality, but they aren't garbage, by any stretch of the imagination. The edge that sits on the bumper has a thick black weatherstripping, which allows for a more finished edge, if not perfect fit for the metal. On the front bumper where the top edge overlaps the bumper is a sharp cut, but definitely not shaped like an OEM piece. In addition, the outer edges don't follow the OEM kit's curve, which I am assuming is likely to prevent lawsuits.

The only other thing I don't like is that this kit is screw-in only. There is no helper double sided tape to fit it. I didn't receive any hardware, which is both okay and frustrating. I would have liked to have seen the type of screws the seller used for install, but I had always planned on swapping them for stainless hardware. I plan on mounting the bottom of bumper first, carefully drilling the holes and then bolting the top down. I know on other kits, they recommend self-tapping screws, but for this kit, I want to use machine screws with bolts.

The main negative exists on both the front and rear bumpers. The front garnish can rest on the bumper to allow for placement. However, there is probably a 1/2" to 1" gap between the bottom of the bumper and the garnish, it's not a tight slide-in fit. My plan is to fill that gap with a nut/washers to snug it up tight and then use stainless machine screws on the top to snug it there. My thought is that I should be able to drop the splash guards to bolt everything together so I don't have to use any self-tapping screws.

The rear bumper presents a bigger challenge, simply because you cannot slide the garnish on and have it stay in place. If you sit the bottom of the garnish flush with the bottom of the bumper, the top of the garnish sits far too high (above the body line crease on the bumper). To sit it as it should be, you have to have a 1" gap between the garnish and bumper. Again, it won't be terrible to do, but drilling the bottom of the bumper in the correct location will require a bit of finesse. The negative is that you have to drill into the face of the back bumper to fit the (3) screws on the garnish. It's not the end of the world when it's fit, but if for some reason I want to remove it, I'll have (3) holes in my bumper. Again, I plan on using machine screws so I should end up with a reasonably clean hole.

Onto pictures of the front bumper test fit. Please excuse my photos, an iPhone in a cold garage with poor light doesn't lend itself well. I will get better test fit pictures in proper light.

 

[sbkim]

Mike - thanks so much for the detailed review and picts. I personally think it looks great! Too bad install isn't straightfoward.

 

[barqy]

Mine

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tufftoy]

I received the pieces today.

I'm looking at getting some of these for my 2016.5, how are they holding up on yours? I have a lot of rabbits and jack rabbits to deal with going to and from work, looking to add a little protection to the front end. Also think it gives it a nice look!