Door edge guards on AW M4

[BickUW89]

This is my first white car. I've always use black door edge guards on my other cars (usually dark blue), and it looks great and protects the door nicely. With the AW M4, I'm having all kinds of trouble deciding what looks best. Here's what I've tried so far:

Clear: not a good look. Looked cheap and plasticy, and you can see the adhesive spread unevenly beneath. Took that crap off within 2 days.

White: I put white edge guards on, but since they are not an exact match for the AW, I'm thinking these look cheap and unappealing, too. One of them just fell off today, so...

Black: I bought some black edge guards, and put one on the driver's side door to see how it looks. Figure the door seam is dark anyway, so the black edge follows the natural curve of the door. But, it's awfully stark.

Here are a couple of pics, with the black and white edge guards:


A) Any opinions about which of the two above looks "better" <--- Stupid question - everyone here has opinions!

B) What does everyone else use for edge guards? Are there any better options than what I've come up with?

[mrmoua2u]

Sorry bud, both look tacky, esp the black. I never had issues with opening and hitting something. If you are careful, it shouldnt happen anyways but go for it if thats your style.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by BickUW89

B) What does everyone else use for edge guards?

I'm not sure that anyone else uses edge guards, or is willing to admit it.

Is this your grandfather's car?

Sorry if that came across as extremely snarky, but it was my first impression. These are only useful when your car door(s) are open so this is only saving your door edge from your carelessness. I just take care that my door edge doesn't touch anything.

[mrmoua2u]

Oh... you can add curb feelers too lol

[lstoker]

Lose the plastic guards and have XPel installed on the door edge. They have a kit... Problem solved!

[BickUW89]

Originally Posted by mrmoua2u

If you are careful, it shouldnt happen anyways.

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

These are only useful when your car door(s) are open so this is only saving your door edge from your carelessness. I just take care that my door edge doesn't touch anything.

It's not that edge guards are "my style." it's more a reality that the doors on the F82 are so long, and there's not much way to hold them when twisting out in a small space, so having an edge guard seems like a must.

Both of our garages have concrete bases that the door will hit if you're not supremely careful. Even if you open the door super carefully, which I and my wife always do, if the door so much as touches the concrete it nicks the paint. Wife already dinged my door edge and she was really trying hard not to.

I guess if an edge guard is too douchy, I can put smething on the concrete to pad it where the doors would strike, but not much help away from home.

Guess that's why I'm asking!

[BickUW89]

Originally Posted by mrmoua2u

Oh... you can add curb feelers too lol

Oh dear God, no.

[Dr. Who]

Hey,

They do look tacky, but you have to make concessions to reality!

* 3M Clear door edge guard kit - It is what it is.

I'm getting my whole car "Xpel'd", but it's too expensive if all you
want protected are the Door edges.


Cheers!

[Wah]

Originally Posted by BickUW89

I guess if an edge guard is too douchy, I can put smething on the concrete to pad it where the doors would strike, but not much help away from home.

Guess that's why I'm asking!

I use something like this in my garage but you can use a swimming pool noodle cut in half lengthwise.



I wouldn't put that thing on my car... its ugly.

[Racer35]

+1 on the xpel / clear bra type material. I had it on my E46 door edges, in addition to the nose, rockers, etc.

[Yas__Plz]

Go big or go home

[DocOct]

My vote is no edge guards. Just be cautious when opening.

[gblansten]

You need those window guards as well that keep rain drops from falling on you.



You can never be too safe.

[D675PDX]

Originally Posted by mrmoua2u

Oh... you can add curb feelers too lol

This is the exact same thing I thought when I read the original post. Too funny. What's wrong with this world that you can't open the door without hitting something. Once you've parked everything's static, how hard is it to just open your door without hulking it into a non-moving object???

[BickUW89]

Originally Posted by D675PDX

This is the exact same thing I thought when I read the original post. Too funny. What's wrong with this world that you can't open the door without hitting something. Once you've parked everything's static, how hard is it to just open your door without hulking it into a non-moving object???

If you read my previous post, I pointed out that my garage has concrete walls, and it's very narrow on one side. You can hold the door all you want, but when climbing out of the car it's near impossible to keep the door from touching the concrete, and the slightest move chips the paint. It's a very real challenge, and problem.

That's why I turned to the forum for some advice, not for some holier-than-thou scolding from someone who has apparently never, ever, bumped their perfect door against something.

Flame away.

[aboulfad]

Your concern is valid, and no matter how much one can pay attention, it will happen. The F82 is a big car with very long doors, I am always worried my doors will hit adjacent parked cars in parking lots, so I only open it at the first setting and I maneuver out with great pain given I am 6'2"...

As mentioned above, the Xpel seems to be the best elegant solution but will not provide protection against strong collision with a cement wall or other objects... http://www.xpel.com/product/universa...dge-guard-kit/

Given the low cost, you can give it a try and see how it looks, but don't bash your door

[DonkeyKong]

I personally would not put those door edge guards on, but if you must, then get a clear film edge guard. Order through http://www.invisiblemask.com/imask/i...te=common/home.

I've had an M4, now I have a M3.... my cars are never parked near other cars, just my personal choice.

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by BickUW89

If you read my previous post, I pointed out that my garage has concrete walls, and it's very narrow on one side. You can hold the door all you want, but when climbing out of the car it's near impossible to keep the door from touching the concrete, and the slightest move chips the paint. It's a very real challenge, and problem.

That's why I turned to the forum for some advice, not for some holier-than-thou scolding from someone who has apparently never, ever, bumped their perfect door against something.

Flame away.

OP; go with the 3M or XPel kits, they really do an impressive job.

I dealt with the same issue on my RCF (long doors in a cramped spot) and it got the job done for me. That and being part ninja, basically folding myself into the car... especially in a suit.

[BickUW89]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

OP; go with the 3M or XPel kits, they really do an impressive job.

I dealt with the same issue on my RCF (long doors in a cramped spot) and it got the job done for me. That and being part ninja, basically folding myself into the car... especially in a suit.

Originally Posted by DonkeyKong

I personally would not put those door edge guards on, but if you must, then get a clear film edge guard.

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Your concern is valid, and no matter how much one can pay attention, it will happen. The F82 is a big car with very long doors, I am always worried my doors will hit adjacent parked cars in parking lots, so I only open it at the first setting and I maneuver out with great pain given I am 6'2"...

As mentioned above, the Xpel seems to be the best elegant solution but will not provide protection against strong collision with a cement wall or other objects.

Originally Posted by Racer35

+1 on the xpel / clear bra type material. I had it on my E46 door edges, in addition to the nose, rockers, etc.

Originally Posted by Dr. Who

They do look tacky, but you have to make concessions to reality!

* 3M Clear door edge guard kit - It is what it is.

Gentlemen, thank you all for your suggestions That's the kind of feedback I was looking for, and it's greatly appreciated!!

I wasn't familiar with the Xpel or 3M products. I'll give them a try!

[LeFort One]

I've seen people hang up pool noodles from the ceiling and that seems to work well. Where did you find the white door edge guards if I may ask? I've never seen them at pepboys/autozone. I use them for my front lip and that works wonders to prevent scrapes on your front lip

[BickUW89]

Originally Posted by LeFort One

I've seen people hang up pool noodles from the ceiling and that seems to work well. Where did you find the white door edge guards if I may ask? I've never seen them at pepboys/autozone. I use them for my front lip and that works wonders to prevent scrapes on your front lip

Ordered them off of Amazon. Couldn't find white at any of the brick and mortars.

[raymondlo84]

Have you consider putting a piece of cardboard on the 'concrete' wall instead?

Originally Posted by BickUW89

If you read my previous post, I pointed out that my garage has concrete walls, and it's very narrow on one side. You can hold the door all you want, but when climbing out of the car it's near impossible to keep the door from touching the concrete, and the slightest move chips the paint. It's a very real challenge, and problem.

That's why I turned to the forum for some advice, not for some holier-than-thou scolding from someone who has apparently never, ever, bumped their perfect door against something.

Flame away.