Hello all,

My new Octy comes with rear flaps as standard (salesman said this was the case for the 4x4, anyone able to confirm?), but it doesn't have front ones. Should I bother fitting some? What does everyone think? Do they serve any real purpose, or are they just cosmetic?

Cheers,

Richard.

I always have mudflaps fitted to the front as well. For all they cost. They surely protect your car better than no flaps at all.

I usually haggle them into to the deal right at the end on negotiation along with floormats.

Rears are standard .

I always have mudflaps fitted to the front as well. For all they cost. They surely protect your car better than no flaps at all.

I usually haggle them into to the deal right at the end on negotiation along with floormats.

Rears are standard .

I wonder why rears are standard but fronts aren't then?

As GK said above, don't pay for them but make sure you get them as part of the 'closure' to the deal. I would not have a car without front mud flaps, the muck that gets generated up underneath & also into the door sills is way worse without them.

Same here - they are about the only option I add, and for my recent new Octy I wasn't charged - but they are only £16 if you do pay.

I suppose the rears stop muck going up to the vehicle behind, but fronts keep your own car cleaner.

What I can't understand is why the mud flaps are so short. I don't think that they would be much use on a normal Octy, on a 4x4, with the slightly raised suspension, they are almost useless!!

What I can't understand is why the mud flaps are so short. I don't think that they would be much use on a normal Octy, on a 4x4, with the slightly raised suspension, they are almost useless!!

..... in which case you need a set of RallyFlapz as here;- Performance Creations ~ Rallyflapz, Slampanelz, Interior Exterior Car Styling

What I can't understand is why the mud flaps are so short. I don't think that they would be much use on a normal Octy, on a 4x4, with the slightly raised suspension, they are almost useless!!

I did actually think this myself; the ones that are fitted (the rears) are pretty short! The ones on my MX-5 were probably longer

I've been thinking about buying a pair of front mudflaps for my Octy as I'm driving in muddy lanes at lot more these days :thumbdwn:

Does anyone have any idea how difficult they are to fit (I intend to do it myself)?

Many thanks - Stuart.

I have finished the job in 2 x 1 minute .

It is very easy job - just have to unscrew 3 screws and to screw them back trough the mud flap holes.

Great, that's just what I wanted to hear. That's the kind of DIY I can cope with.

I did mine, and I'm notoriously ham fisted. Just make sure you have the right Torx bit - and a right angle ratchet - unless you plan to take the wheels off.

I did mine, and I'm notoriously ham fisted. Just make sure you have the right Torx bit - and a right angle ratchet - unless you plan to take the wheels off.

I just used an old fashioned Allen Key & turned the wheel on full-lock.

I know it isn't the right tool but it worked & didn't do any damage.

I have finished the job in 2 x 1 minute .

It is very easy job - just have to unscrew 3 screws and to screw them back trough the mud flap holes.

Just fitted mine (4 screws), took longer to clean the wheel arch liner than to fit mud flaps

To anyone reading this thread, I'd appreciate it if you posted some pics of the car with front mud flaps fitted? Since the flaps are quite short, I figure it's a 50% aesthetic decision!

To anyone reading this thread, I'd appreciate it if you posted some pics of the car with front mud flaps fitted? Since the flaps are quite short, I figure it's a 50% aesthetic decision!

This is the best pic of my old Oct'y with front 'flaps.

I looked at mine just now and they are the same - I didn't realise they were not much longer than the bodywork.

But then I realised it isn't the length that does the work so much as the width. They stick out sideways a couple of inches at the bottom so instead of spray and muck going back onto the tumblehome part of the car body side, it hits the width of the flap and is cut off or deflected.

...............and e = mc squared !!!

Thanks for the pic mdk1.

I think I will fit some, they probably do help keep the car clean and look quite decent too!

But then I realised it isn't the length that does the work so much as the width.

my missus has been saying that for years... boom-tish!

my missus has been saying that for years... boom-tish!

You get a lot of spray then !!?????

On Saturday I clean a clean and shiny car. On Sunday I drove across a car park with a little sloshy mud. This is the result!! 

In real mud the front wheels can cover the front door, up to window level!!

Obadiah, great pics. So you're saying the mud would have been a lot worse/higher without your front mud flaps?

As GK said above, don't pay for them but make sure you get them as part of the 'closure' to the deal. I would not have a car without front mud flaps, the muck that gets generated up underneath & also into the door sills is way worse without them.

Thats what I did - Just before I signed after a 2hr negotiation, "Thrown in the flaps and I'll sign..."

Obadiah, great pics. So you're saying the mud would have been a lot worse/higher without your front mud flaps?

I though he was illustrating how ineffective the OE flaps are. These are much more effective;-

But then I realised it isn't the length that does the work so much as the width.

I've got both more length and width .....

Edited 20 November, 200817 yr by bahnstormer vrs

That's why I asked, I thought his reply was slightly ambiguous!