Opinion required: flares or not?

[Timmy]

So as per the subject, I'm struggling to decide.
I have a set of factory flares from a wreck, I keep changing my mind on whether I should put them only my daily.
Standard height, standard tyre size. It's dark blue if that makes a difference.

What do you prefer and why?

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[Eevo]

pics required

[Timmy]

Hopefully this works. Posting from phone!



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[loanrangie]

The factory flares are really just covers and dont actually cover any wider rubber so i cant see any reason not to use them if in good nic.

[Pippin]

If anyone knows an easy way to get the old adhesive tape off the flares I will install them on mine?

[Timmy]

The factory flares are really just covers and dont actually cover any wider rubber so i cant see any reason not to use them if in good nic.

Yeh mate purely aesthetics! That's why I'm getting opinions. Will need to give them a light sand and paint to bring them back to life. Also need to buy new automotive double sided tape. Probably be a $50 venture all up.


If anyone knows an easy way to get the old adhesive tape off the flares I will install them on mine?

Don't know any easy way, have heard it's not fun!

[Disco Driver]

So as per the subject, I'm struggling to decide.
I have a set of factory flares from a wreck, I keep changing my mind on whether I should put them only my daily.
Standard height, standard tyre size. It's dark blue if that makes a difference.

What do you prefer and why?

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Hi xaymaca,


"...only my daily", you say. Considering it's parked on pavement, have you got a muddy road you go to work down? haha :D


Judging by the photo, I'd say they would look great on the car and maybe it'll keep it cleaner! Now.....don't think I'm having a shot at you as the cleanest part of my disco is inside the engine bay!.....maybe!;)


I'd go for the flares as I personally don't mind the look. Update the thread with a new photo once they're on, if you do it!


Have fun...!

[MR LR]

The factory flares are really just covers and dont actually cover any wider rubber so i cant see any reason not to use them if in good nic.
False, they add about 10mm to the width, which is why cars with 8" rims and 255's had them. They help a lot with gravel rash etc on the paint! Thought your expertise was in 300tdi autos, anyway :p :wasntme:

That being said, I took mine off to repaint as they were seriously deteriorated, couldn't be stuffed dealing with that double sided mess and binned them.

If I ever decide I want them back on, I'll buy newies, the old ones were getting old and brittle anyway. My car is alveston red and I think it looks smarter without them...

[loanrangie]

10mm is hardly worth writing about , i only meant that its not like you are extending 50mm so wont look stupid with stock tyres.

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[p38arover]

If anyone knows an easy way to get the old adhesive tape off the flares I will install them on mine?

Try eucalyptus oil or Goof Off Goof Off 475ml Adhesive Remover Easy Pour Can I/N 1581881 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/goof-off-475ml-adhesive-remover-easy-pour-can_p1581881)

Some say WD40 works, too.

[PhilipA]

Flares don't do anything for your paint as they taper to nothing at the bottom rear.
My doors are pretty sandblasted particularly the leading edge of the rear door. Mine is also Oslo Blue.
I have now shifted my rear mudflaps to the front and put on big rears to try to reduce the damage in future.
That is with 255x70x16 BFGKO, and a lap of OZ including the GRR. My rear shocks are also dented and sandblasted.
However I do like the flares and help me pick D2s from D1s.
Regards Philip A

[MR LR]

Having had D2's with flares and mudflaps, and D2's without either. I can confirm that the flare and mudflap combo does protect the paint... especially if used with factory sills.

Which is the reason D2's without flares have that little trim piece at the back of the rear wheel arches.

Whilst it won't protect against all gravel rash, it greatly reduces it in my experience.

Also, they don't taper to nothing, in fact, they protrude from the original panel nearly as much as they do at the top... believe it or not, it does make a difference!

[mate]

i myself perfer the look of flares from the ones i have seen driving around the goldy but then again it does make the car look a little cheaper, lol contradiction much lol, go the flares mate if they save your paint i wouldn't hesitate. on another note anyone know if there is a nice sized flare available other than flare tape for when ya upgrade to a nice 33" mud Tyre?

[loanrangie]

i myself perfer the look of flares from the ones i have seen driving around the goldy but then again it does make the car look a little cheaper, lol contradiction much lol, go the flares mate if they save your paint i wouldn't hesitate. on another note anyone know if there is a nice sized flare available other than flare tape for when ya upgrade to a nice 33" mud Tyre?

Go the flexi flares.

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[CaptainJack]

If anyone knows an easy way to get the old adhesive tape off the flares I will install them on mine?

turtle wax bug and tar remover. not the spray bottle but the spray can. Dont know what the difference is but ive used the stuff in the can to remove the remaining reside of tape on my car and it worked well. Still a bit of effort, and went through a bag full of rags that end up in the bin, but it works. You can get it from repco or supercrap for about $15 a can.

[Jazzman]

If anyone knows an easy way to get the old adhesive tape off the flares I will install them on mine?



Orange Oil will work. It is normally in the cleaning section of the supermarket and comes in a small orange approx. 250mm bottle.

[Jazzman]

This is a very subjective topic. I personally think the disco looks more classy/cleaner/smarter without the flares. My D2a has them because my 265 75 16 on 25mm offset rims wouldn't fit under the guards. If it was me, on your car I'd leave them off unless you wanted to protect your paint.