Body Side Molding

chunter1001 said:

New 2019 Touring owner here. I’m thinking about adding the body side moulding to prevent door dings. I was wondering if other owners are satisfied with the OEM mouldings. I was quoted $270 for parts and installation which seems high to me. I think I can buy the parts and install on my own to save $100 - and the instructions look pretty easy. Wondering if anyone actually installed their own, and if there’s any real reason to pay for install. Thanks!

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I have body side molding installed on my EX. I added them by default because older Hondas used to come with them standard, and I wanted them for extra protection. The dealer installed mine as part of purchase, but you're right that the installation instructions don't look so bad if you have the right tools available.

The molding has a VERY flat profile (compared to older Honda standard). They provide some protection, but seem limited since they're not very deep. I also don't 100% love how they look on the car. They're body-colored but still stick out to my eye because it distracts from the 'smoothness' of the side profile. My car looks 'sportier' because of the extra angle attached on side, but I think I prefer the 'smooth' look.

Net, if I had to do it over again, I'm not sure I would have added the body side molding to my car...

I thought about body-side moldings, but I felt the cleaner look was better. My insight rarely goes in tight parking lots, so it was a no-brainer to skip them. I'm garaged at home, and I have a great spot at work. I drive the beater minivan for ShopRite and Home Depot runs, so no worries there.

I think other cars are drawn to mine like a literal magnet. I have a good work parking spot, but the car next to me likes to park really close to me, rather than using their own full space. And even when I park in the most remote corner at a shopping center, I return to find my car closely surrounded by others. Maybe I should check the manual to see if the Insight has a hidden feature called "car magnetism."

insightfully said:

if I had to do it over again, I'm not sure I would have added the body side molding to my car...

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@insightfully Always helpful, can we get a photo of it on your car? I was thinking about buying it, but I'm in the same camp about the smoothness of the body and lines.

insightfully said:

I think other cars are drawn to mine like a literal magnet. I have a good work parking spot, but the car next to me likes to park really close to me, rather than using their own full space. And even when I park in the most remote corner at a shopping center, I return to find my car closely surrounded by others. Maybe I should check the manual to see if the Insight has a hidden feature called "car magnetism."

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I can be parking in between 4 empty spaces and return with a car next to mine... It's almost like at the movies where there are empty seats around you but someone will choose a seat next to you anyways.

Will it even help vs taller SUV doors?

JK919 said:

Will it even help vs taller SUV doors?

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I don't think they'll protect from much... that's kinda why I wanted to warn others that they're more like a decoration. I bought them wanting protection, but you can see that they won't protect from much. The door handles stick out further than the molding, so it seems like the handles will be the first point of impact/risk.

Anyone add bodyside molding?

This was the only after market add on I was tempted by. They had a Civic in the showroom with the adding molding and it looked sharp. I'm debating buying and adding it now. It's tough to find pictures of Insights with the body color side molding since they are so new so I figured I'd ask here.

Check out discussion and pictures in this prior thread on body side molding - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/7...neral-discussion/2144-body-side-moulding.html

It sounds like you've already seen in dealer showroom, so are aware of the low profile characteristics. I find the molding "decorative" more so than "protective."

I'm thinking of getting the side bar mouldings to protect against door dings, and the locking lug nuts are on my list too! (I've had them on my Element and think they're great)!

stevew said:

I'm thinking of getting the side bar mouldings to protect against door dings, and the locking lug nuts are on my list too! (I've had them on my Element and think they're great)!

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Be sure to check out an actual install of the body side moldings before ordering or attaching. The OEM ones for the Insight are very flat, and end up being more decorative than protective.

I added them by 'default' since my older cars had them, but their current design will do very little to protect against door dings. See some of the pictures above.

Thanks for your perspective, Insightfully. Now I've decided not to buy them for my Insight!

stevew said:

Thanks for your perspective, Insightfully. Now I've decided not to buy them for my Insight!

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Glad to help. If I had to do it over again, I would've passed on the body side molding myself.