OK, I know this seems like a stupid question, but why does Nissan insist on selling every Maxima with those cheap wheelwell "mudflaps"?

I've seen many in flat-black, and some painted (I30s and some Maxs) but why Nissan chooses to disrupt the lines of the car with something so ugly befuddles me.

If you've ever seen a Max from the rear you know what I'm talking about. Those black pieces that stick out an additional inch past the outside of the tire, fouling up an already "funky" rear design.

Nissan does make a nice piece of plastic trim for the front wheelwells that does away with the mudflap and still protects the wheelwell metal (the rears don't really need one, since that part of the wheelwell is the plastic bumper.)

If Maxs really want to be taken seriously, for the love of all things good and holy, dump them flaps. And question the designers at NNA as to why they're needed on a "new" design like the '00+ Max. And keep your eye out for ANY performance car on the road and look for their mudflaps (Porsche, BMW, etc, etc.)

Just a humble observation.

 

Are you talking about the splashguards? If so, those are only sold as an optional accessory.

 

Yes, the splashguards are what I was referring to. And while they are an option, EVERY Max on the lot where I purchased my SE had them included.

And, just making mental notes of Max's and I30s I see on the road, 99.9% of them have the splashguards.

Granted, the AE Max's have a much better solution with the integrated ground effects/splashguard package, as do the newer 3.5L versions of the cars, but the vast majority of '00 and '01 cars have these pieces.

And they're ugly as all hell. But at least they don't have the little Yosemite Sam picture on 'em...

 

They came as an option with mine. Looks like Nissan was backlogged with lots of these painted splash guards and since a newly designed Maxima is on the way they need to clear their shelfs of the splash guards.
I didn't like them at first, but now they have seem to grow on me as I see more and more Maximas on the road with the painted ones.

 

If you live/drive in an area with lots of gravel-y roads, you might learn to appreciate them! I bought my Max used with 20k and it did not have them and the lower leading edges of the rear wheel wells are pitted terribly from small stones striking there, kicked up by the front wheels. It's only noticeable when looking/feeling there, but I know it. I now have some after market stone guards that provide better protection than those delicate little OE ones but still look good (no big semi-style mud flaps, thank you) and I appreciate it!

I selected and installed mine to fit tight and follow the contour of the fender, extending and complementing the lines. If installed poorly, though, I see how they could look ugly.

BuddyWh

 

i love the rear of the 5th gen max. if i didnt, i wouldnt have bought one.

 

i like the way the 2k2s look with the splash guards. i like the way they look now better with all 4 than how they looked with just the back ones (like the earlier 2k2s were) i dont think i have ever seen a 2k2 without the back ones though. so i cant compare.

 

After you get past the butt ugly rear, silly looking sidemarkers, dopey fake fender flares, 70's mustang hood creases and misshapen front bumper corners how do you even notice the mudflaps? They do help keep the paint on the lower sides of the car though. Fortunately, I can't see any of it when I'm enjoying my max - driving.

 

I think they make the car look much better...just paint them and they look nice.

 

I started to hate the look of the slash guards too. I removed all of them and put the screws back in the holes. I think it looks much cleaner. From the rear, the splash guards make the rear tires seem thinner and makes the Maxima look, well IMHO FAT with a small track. Painted ones are even worst, makes you look like a geek, "hey look at me, I'm a geek, I color coated everything!"

Could be worst though, At least we don't have 1 meter long (exaggeration) flaps like on Toyota Solara's, now THOSE are even cheesier.

 

i dunno man. i disagree. i think your car looks to high without the splash guards. i guess its just difference in opinion.

 

hey there sugar cakes.. If you dont like the look from the rear.. you must be spending too much time there. My only thought is if you dont like the rear, and all the rest of the "defects" you mentioned.. DONT BUY IT ! I like the splash guards, I dont have them though.... Are you a TL owner who couldnt get a credit approval from Nissan ??

 

I think they look nice, but I have the AE ones.

They really do help to save the paint behind the wheel wells in the long run. Especially when we have really rainy winters.