mudguards

There is a lot of discussion and many pictures of both kinds. You just need to search more. Try just using the word mud by itself.

 

I used the US mudguards from Prius Chat Shop. The European style were too big for my personal taste.

The mounting is easy and you are correct that the screws go in to plastic trim and not metal. The rear ones go on easier if you remove the rear tire though you can install with tire on if you have right-angle screwdriver.

The mudguards do a good job of keeping the road spray off of the sides of the car.

 

I just wondering will the European version fit MY 2012 Prius?

 

I'm running the euro mud flap version and they are great, no snow, water, tiny stone chip against the front door. I don't think they created much drag as some will attest. The euro flaps aesthetically look way better. I think they should easily bolt on the 2012 as well, the rears is abit trick to install but just use the 90degree phillips screwdriver and u're good.

 

They (euros pictured here) don't do a lot for me looks-wise/cleanliness however I do think they help protect against rock dings.

 

holy geez! somebody needs a detail job, pronto! I think the euro mud guards do a terrific job of keeping little paint chip off my front doors. The rear flaps is more of a courtesy thing for other drives. We Prii owners are very considerate.

 

had the regular version installed a week ago from the dealership. Works great since had a chance to test it on the way back.

 

I was about to buy a set of the Euro Mud Guard from the online store in this forum for my 2012. I notice from the rear mud flap installation manual looks like I need to drill some holes inorder to mount the mud flap. I just wondering did I need to drill any holes? Or, are the existing ones matched?

 

I haven't installed mine yet but according to the instructions I will need to drill one hole per flap. The remaining screws all will occupy existing holes.

 

no drilling necessary, the screws that comes with the rear mud flaps are self tapping and it'll secure into place on the plastic bumper molding and wheel well.

 

I only have my front mudflap and I don't think they do anything. See Spiderman's pic for his rear flaps. The way the dirt accumulates right behind the guards suggests it is useless. The flaps themselves make direct contact with the paint so once they are on, your paint is scuffed. So, the occasional rock ding or the marred clear coat? You choose.

 

My Subaru used to look like Spiderman's Prii but the front door dings and chips are deep and quite a few after 6 years. Because I detail my own car I see it and I hated how touch up paint never matches the car's original colour and fades much faster...there's alot of construction in my area and right now I have to say the mud guards are doing its job. To each his own.

 

I think you need those rally style mudflaps.

 

Or tractor-trailer flaps.

 

If you are road rallying in Alaska like Spidey, you may have a point. For lighter weather here in most of the lower 48, they do keep a clean car looking cleaner longer in most seasons-we had them on our GII white Prius for 6 years and they did a good job of that. As for scuffing the paint on the plastic trim underneath the mudguards, assuminng that would happen, why would you be taking them off?

Glad I just put them ( US version) on our BP GIII. It was fast and easy. I have the tools to take the wheels off quickly which made it a cinch.

 

Hey now, I have not left pavement... thats just life in Alaska.

 

Well here's my car. The fine road dirt will cling everywhere. Behind, the mud flaps, it is only a bit lighter. According to proponents, it is effective at minimizing stone chips. So this spring, when I get to detailing my car, I will compare the area behind the front flaps vs the rear bumper, where I do not have flaps.

sorry for upside down pic but you get the point. at work now, can't fix