Mud flaps

[26ct2143]

Hi Guys,
my m3 (2021 LR) has no mud flaps, I live on a farm and was thinking of installing these, anyone got any views etc on them? Will they be OK/help etc
Model 3: 2nd Generation Mud Flaps (4 pcs, no drilling, baking finish)
Thanks
Chris

 

[Adopado]

I need to drive up farm tracks from time to time and I'm reading comments on the Tesla supplied mud flaps (for the front) ... people are finding them way too low and are hitting the ground. I envisage lots of ground contact when driving up tracks with severe undulations such as are routinely present on farm roads.

 

[MrBadger]

If you are not fussed with them being a colour match, Amazon and ebay will be full of the black versions of those for a fraction of the price.

 

[SnowFoxDM]

They should come in the boot or already fitted to the 2021 Model 3 in the UK (front set only). They were also missing from mine at collection so called up Tesla parts and they sent them FOC via TNT.

Pretty easy to fit and remove if needed. Time will tell how effective they are but at least protect the paint at the bottom of the front wheel arch.

 

[LongRanger]

I would say they do help generally with side/rear dirt, they do need cleaning out regularly as muck gets caught between the plastic part and the bodywork.

You still get some small stone chips on the sills but not surprising when the roads are falling apart everywhere

 

[Morhydro]

I fitted cheap Amazon ones and they are OK. But first put some helicopter tape on all the paintwork otherwise the edges of the mudflaps will wear through the paint over time.

I have got a free set from Tesla now which are clearly better quality plastic. I will swap these to the front at some point.

 

[akenham]

I've had some fitted for a while, I live on muddy single track roads ... Observations / tips:

I fitted the long rubber flaps to the short guards (both supplied with my car in UK - a friend who got their car before me received a voucher).

Initially I thought I'd give up on them due to:

• The rubber flaps scraping on the ground
• The amount of mud that collected between car and flap in only 1-2 weeks

The scraping stops after a bit as the flaps conform.

The mud collection is due to two problems - too big a gap at the top and too small a drain hole. On a tip from another TMC member I tackled both by

1. adding a strip of black brush draft excluder in the join (bought from Amazon) about 1cm square section
2. Using a Dremel to enlarge the drain until my thumb would fit into it

Since then it's been working pretty well - the draft excluder catches most of the crud and I can pressure wash it away, the drains have stayed clear. I'll probably still pop the flaps off every couple of months for a thorough clean.

 

[akenham]

Here's some photos now I'm not on a phone:

Trapping of mud after ~1w

And the workaround with some draft excluder to keep out the worst and a bigger drain:

I used this draft excluder - before fitting I carefully cleaned and dried the mudflaps finishing off by wiping down with isopropyl alcohol.

The enlarged drain holes look a bit untidy but bear in mind they're underneath the car as fitted so not visible unless you lie on the ground beside it.

PS I have also fitted tesla's own PPF kit to the body flares behind / below the rear doors fwiw . It's kind of expensive and you could make your own but I didn't find any patterns to copy yet and I didn't like the sound of debris hitting the car...

 

[Masklin]

Is there a good place anyone is aware of to source just the plastic rivets/clips/plugs whatever they are called that come with mudguard kits?

 

[Medved_77]

Is there a good place anyone is aware of to source just the plastic rivets/clips/plugs whatever they are called that come with mudguard kits?

I bought this mixed set of fasteners recently. Some of them are the same as used on the mud flaps:

x476 Car Trim Body Fastener Clips Push Rivets Retainer Door Screw Panel Bumper | eBay

 

[Masklin]

I bought this mixed set of fasteners recently. Some of them are the same as used on the mud flaps:

x476 Car Trim Body Fastener Clips Push Rivets Retainer Door Screw Panel Bumper | eBay

Cheers.

 

[James-R10]

I got an email from Tesla offering me the official kit for free about 3 weeks ago. Apparently due to some concerns with protecting the paint in the U.K. climate. ProbBly worth asking Tesla before you buy.

Planning to fit them this week

 

[Drew57]

I received some on Christmas Eve in a tiny little box along with a large chocolate coin.

 

[Ben177]

Hi Guys,
my m3 (2021 LR) has no mud flaps, I live on a farm and was thinking of installing these, anyone got any views etc on them? Will they be OK/help etc
Model 3: 2nd Generation Mud Flaps (4 pcs, no drilling, baking finish)

Unless you’re set on having a colour match, I can recommend these ones at 26 quid from Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Z7JVFN6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Took me half an hour to fit them, including putting my own PPF on beforehand.

 

[26ct2143]

Unless you’re set on having a colour match, I can recommend these ones at 26 quid from Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Z7JVFN6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Took me half an hour to fit them, including putting my own PPF on beforehand.

I'm actually thinking of ordering those, not done anything yet.
Just thought I'd wait another few days to see what others have tried or think.

 

[DirectorDisch]

I ordered and installed the Basenor ones from Amazon. Was going to order the Tesla ones, but they're backordered, and I really wanted some on the car here in New England, especially with the amount of snow we get. So far, so good. I know some people who installed these with the tape, and some without. I used the tape, figuring it'd give it more stability.