Big change in appearance for no $$$

[TuRbOtEcTicS]

How would i put them back if i were to take them off?

 

[Beelze]

I'm convinced

I plan to take them off today. My old Honda Accord and VW Passat always got dinged way up high. I live in Texas and just about everyone here drives a freaking SUV or truck, including my wife. I refuse to gas her Expedition up anymore. I just about pooped myself the last time I did when it cost me over $50.

I think the Hatch looks pretty sweet with no moldings. Thanks to all who posted pics. This site has been great so far. I am not much of a mod person since all my other cars were leased, but I think I could get into fixing up my 3. Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[MrGone]

But how?

I had been lookind at my maz3i and something just didnt look right so I removed the side door ding guards and it was a huge improvement. The body lines actually look mean now. Instead a family sedan.

Anyone else removed them yet

Nobody else has asked the question, so thought I would bother you. What did you use to remove the moldings? Maybe a tiny HOW-TO on it? The molding on the right-rear door for my 3 was actually too long, so it would lift up when you opened that door. If the front door was already open, it wouldn't effect anything. I had planned on taking it back to the dealer to fix, but the part of the molding that kept bending finally popped off, so not it looks crappy. Removing them all together would be a great thing.

 

[Da 6]

heat(sun or hair dryer) floss behind the modings/badges and either carefully rubb leftover glue or purchase goo gone and wash and wax area asap. some use wd-40 but that requires a realy quick wash and wax before clear coat damage is done.

 

[Jake1]

I bet a heat gun would work too. Used one to take off the "3" badge on the back of my hatch, but I'd be sure to keep it at a distance & even then put it on a lower setting if you plan on using one!

 

[MrGone]

Ahhh...

Thanks Da 6 and Jake1. I will have to wait until tomorrow to do it, but I'm excited. Now, I bought my car the first week of February. Do you think too much time has passed?

I'm having to wait until tomorrow because I had the windshield and left-passenger window finally replaced. Windshield was from a rock off a lawn-service truck, and the passenger window, some punk tried to break in the car. Luckily the tint held the window in place, and I taped the outside until I could get the money to fix. ($395 for both windows).

 

[Da 6]

damn that sux but yeah the side moldings are there for show and come standerd on most cars. unless you own a saturn there will be door dings regardless if they are there or not. As stated before the shopping cart will be stopped by the side skirts

 

[Silver Bull3t]

New Poll!!!

WOULD YOU:

A.) wait till your wife's away, then rip 'em off....then make up an excuse...
B.) tell her to "eat a dick" and take 'em off anyway.....
C.) convienently put it off till you forget how important it seems......

(thought) (hear ya)

 

[Jake1]

WOULD YOU:

A.) wait till your wife's away, then rip 'em off....then make up an excuse...
B.) tell her to "eat a dick" and take 'em off anyway.....
C.) convienently put it off till you forget how important it seems......

(thought) (hear ya)

I'd choose B; but make sure you've had a few beers to make what you said somewhat excusable. lol

 

[uwtriguy]

Leased ride

I take it with my car being leased I should leave these things alone? Is that the case for exhasut and intake as well? Don't know if I will but it out yet. I guess I coudl always replace the intake and exhaust.

xxx

 

[sndsgood]

if its leased take it off then buy some double stick 3m tape to put them back on when the lease is up.


and for the above poster, i'd choose
d.) grow some balls and just do it.

 

[ZoomVT]

im bringing this thread back to life. I had my 3 since may 2004 and just starting modding so now i want to get rid of the moldings on the side but i worry the paint will show different color underneath it. what do you guys think? remember i am in Vermont so the weather is pretty tough on the paint. and if it does show a different color how could i make it blend better, short of going to a body shop? or worst case scenario, how would i put them back on?

 

[Mace Windu]

bump ^^^^^ anyone have an answer?

 

[Gambino]

I would think you would be ok still to do it. the paint might be SLIGHTLY different, but not too bad. just wax it after and if its bad, just get some double sided 3m tape and stick them back on.

 

[memphisrains]

i have had my 3 for over a year now and just took them off today still looks great you cant tell anything the pant is fine. i love it i love the way it makes the car look it makes me love my car even more!!!!!!! LOL p.s. had trouble getting the tape off but other than that was not hard to do

 

[brettjay]

took it off in a few minutes...cleaned off the dust around the area...it's looks very nice!

in the florida sun all i had to do was pull on it a bit and it peeled off nicely. thx!

 

[ZoomVT]

i pulled mine off last week when my new wheels got here. i decided to spend the whole day working on the car so i pulled the door guards, pulled the emblems, removed my stock wheels. then i painted the calipers, painted the emblems in a charcoal metallic tone and put my wheels back on. then a nice wash and wax. took about 6-7 hours.
no decoloration behind the door guards though which was very good news.