Styling should i have rubbing strips?

[kathryn]

hi all
I've just ordered a 1.2 lounge and am wondering whether to add on some side rubbing strips..any advice would be appreciated..
thanks

 

[gib1970]

i dont think the rubbing strips look too bad on the 500, so i would spec them if i were you

 

[white 500]

:wave: welcome to the forum :wave:
i have the rubbing strips i got them mainly because i wanted a badge on the side of the car plus i like how they break-up the side perspective aswell as saving the door from an accidental dent, personal choice realy weather you prefer the look of the car with or without them. if you click on the "08 FIAT 500" bit below my avatar there are some pics of mine on there with different side badges fitted.

 

[brimbling]

I think the strips spoil the shape, breaks up the smooth lines and I'm not convinced they would actually prevent any car park dings since they are very low on a very curved door panel.

The 500 is best when it's a pure and simple shape - very few of the press photos show the rubbing strips

 

[OrangeSport]

I quite like the way they break up the line...

 

[Lloyd71]

I actually really like them on the 500, but I didn't have them on mine as I wanted to keep it as smooth as possible for the future, when it will be going 'euro style' over some new wheels. That's if it can still make it over the speed humps at work...

 

[Nuova500]

I think the strips spoil the shape, breaks up the smooth lines and I'm not convinced they would actually prevent any car park dings since they are very low on a very curved door panel.

The 500 is best when it's a pure and simple shape - very few of the press photos show the rubbing strips

When my neighbour reversed into my 500, it was the side rubbing strips that saved the rear wing and drivers door from major damage. The bodyshop that repaired the car said the door in particular would have suffered badly without them.

 

[mrbrown2]

They're just stuck on so your dealer can retro-fit them quite easily - if you decided to go without and changed your mind later.

My Lounge was bought from stock and didn't have them originally but I effectively got them added for free as the dealer knocked £400+ off the total price.

My reason for getting them was to minimise the car park dent potential.

 

[Suasexed]

If you're going to get the rubbing strips, get them as a factory order. Having them retro fitted will be a pain and work out more expensive as you'll have to get them sprayed yourself (or the dealer will do it for you).

They will offer some protection from door dings, but won't save you completely.

In terms of looks I'm on the fence. I like the clean smooth lines without them, but if I was going for a sportier look I'd probably spec them as they give the 500 a chunkier look.

 

[Heidi]

I went for them as I wanted the 500 logo on them on the side and I'm glad I did cus on the white cars I think it breaks up the white a bit. I think it's a personal thing TBH.

 

[grimwau]

My wife wanted them on her car for aesthetic reasons (same on our Honda Accord) as she doesn't like the slab side effect. Personally I think they look good either way and in respect of minimising damage I think it depends on the situation.

As nuova500 has said, it worked in his case but our car has a dent right in the middle of the door so not effective in all cases. Luckily you can't see it from this direction but if the car had been a darker colour it would show up more easily.

Also, as stated it is cheaper to have them fitted at the factory.

 

[Ulpian]

The 500 looks smarter with them.

 

[nottsfiat07]

I tried all the permutations when deciding on my final spec, and decided I liked the look of the car without, especially as I had the sports stripe too. I do like the ability to have a funky little badge tho if you add the side rubbling strips.

Of course its personal preference, and one of the good things about the 500 is that its so open to designing the spec that suits you.

 

[kathryn]

well, I decided to have them .....the little devil on my shoulder said " do not resist!" hey ho.....

 

[muttleysdad]

well, I decided to have them .....the little devil on my shoulder said " do not resist!" hey ho.....

Good choice I didn't have them on Bj and got a parking dent on the first day (Right on the door crease) When i asked the dealer how much to have a set fitted - £250

Better off speccing them from the begining and only paying The £80 or whatever it is now.

 

[PlopHole]

I think they go well on the car, but equally as good looking without them. I didn't go for them because I didn't want a badge on the side. That was originally, but after looking through members motors photos I'm thinking about getting the side rubbing strips with a '500' logo. But retrofitting them is a tad expensive? Hmm.

 

[Nuova500]

Retrofitting will cost around £200, and theres always the risk of a poor colour match.