Anybody have pictures of the OEM mudflaps on a 2nd Gen? Anybody do a comparison of fuel economy with and without? Is installation of the OEM mudflaps fully reversible?
My car's dirty again (just washed it yesterday), but I can take pics for you tomorrow.
Regarding fully-reversible, I believe that one of the front flaps requires a mounting hole to be drilled. I know someone here posted directions. My dealer did mine because I didn't want to mess with taking off the trim in order to install the front ones (maybe just the driver's side had the complicated process.)
Regarding fuel economy, I can't see how it would make any measurable difference. My internet research I just did somewhat confirms that (but it's only people like us kibitzing, no wind tunnel tests.) Only one guy claimed a significant impact, and everyone else threw the BS flag. I have no idea how large his flaps were.
I've captured my mileage (computer and calculated) for every tank of gas I've purchased over the past 12 months of ownership. The variation from tank-to-tank is too great for anyone to draw any "accessory impact" conclusions unless the impact is to the left of the decimal point over an extended period of time. Even then I'd want to see accessories_on/accessories_off/accessories_on data to rule out other variables. Plus you need to adjust for warm weather, cold weather, seasonal ethanol concentrations, average speed, etc.
They are
mostly drafting behind the tires. And these small flaps protrude below the body line and off to the side so very little. I cannot imagine them making a difference (
there's a standard for you.)
So to answer your mileage impact question: dunno.