The Prius shop has 2 different mudguard options for the Prius v, the more expensive set added in Nov 2011 and the less expensive set added in May 2012. Does anyone know the real difference besides the price?
I believe that the cheaper one is a Southeast Toyota product, whereas the more expensive one is actually a true Toyota product.
I spent the extra money, but I did it on eBay. I think I got the Southeast Toyota product on our 2004 Sienna. The screws got rusty through the one Cleveland, OH winter we were there in 2007 - 2008. I'm not sure if this would be better though? I can't exactly compare because one doesn't really buy both to compare. It seems like the hardware with the Toyota ones are better quality, but again that was through looking at pictures and not on hand experience.
I got the Toyota ones. I realized that they had phosphate blackend screws and clips. On that account, I coated them with a thick rustproofing compound, before I installed them.
15 years, ago, I did the same thing to the steel screws and clips on the mudguard on my 1998 Mazda. It was a pleasure, when I removed them to access other components on the vehicle. There was no rust on them, and they came off as easy as it was to screw them together as the day I installed them.
