Sorta outta the blue but why do all 3rd gens have the lower body panels painted black? It makes it look like a 4x4 except when the rest of the car is black. They should all be body colored on SEs and black on GXEs

 

I guess Nissan wanted to make the lower black areas contrast with the rest of the upper body. I think it makes it more elegant. And I don't think it would have looked right with them body color because there are creases seperating the upper part of the bumpers from the lower. Maybe if the whole bumper looked like a one piece, then it would have made sense to go all uniform.

 

Pearlwhitemax explains it perfectly. I also believe that in stock form, it looks better with the bottom area black. It gives it that sort of Lexus look, don't you think? Did you guys ever see Stu's Max from the UK? If so, his car looked perfect this way, before he painted it blue. It was maroon with the Stillen kit and left in black primer on the bottom half. I think it was one of the best looking Max's with a Stillen kit.

 

It looks kinda like a kit with the lower panels painted; but oh well my car is all black so i dont have to worry about it

 

well i dont know abut you guys, but i dont like the dark lower panels on my white 90 se. it makes the car look all high, and it reminds me of the cheaper bmw 318i's without the sport package, with the lower panels that dont match the body color. it looks cheap. if i dont get a kit soon, im thinking of just painting the lower panels. if anyone has painted theirs, and they have pics, tell me.

 

i dont like the lower black either. i think its purpose was also so it wouldnt show road dirt tar and chips and much....

 

i dont have any pics but one of my friends has the lower panels painted white to match the rest of the car...it looks good...but he does have a 1 1/2 inch drop...it kinda makes it look like an effects kit

 

I still think the WW kit looks the best in keeping with the "BMW" looks on our cars. The front bumper could be a lot better though.