16 ES350 UL (delivery Sat)
08-30-15, 11:37 AM
#61
Agreed, I like the new tips as well. I see a lot of GS influence in the '16 ES, the tips are part of that.
I just wish they finished off the diffuser....still doesnt look right to me to have the lower half of the exhaust tip not surrounded. Luckily this is something the aftermarket could fix, if there is enough demand for it.
I just wish they finished off the diffuser....still doesnt look right to me to have the lower half of the exhaust tip not surrounded. Luckily this is something the aftermarket could fix, if there is enough demand for it.
08-30-15, 11:59 AM
#62
I tend to agree with you guys. Similarly, I don't particularly care for the black plastic piece attached at the end of the rear bumper. I think that portion should have been one continuos portion of the bumper. A lot of vehicles seem to be manufactured that way these days. Can someone explain exactly what that piece is for on the ES 350?
I dont mind its there, I do mind that its not body colored. Black plastic trim has always felt "cheap" to me, to the point that I would always opt for any package that turned it body colored. Unfortunately its not an option on the ES.
For some reason I thought I saw an ES300H with that piece as part of the bumper or at least body colored. I wonder if its just the 350 that doesnt get that style bumper.
08-30-15, 12:18 PM
#64
Lead Lap
I believe that there is a practical reason why the extension at the lower portion of the rear bumper is the black plastic-like material. In normal driving, there will regularly be small stones and other debris that are kicked up under the vehicle and that will strike that very bottom portion of the bumper. If that portion of the bumper was painted the body color, it would quickly start to look very ugly with paint chips. The black extension piece is a solid black even below its surface. Even if it gets some chips/nicks in it, the exposed surface will still be black and will not even be noticeable unless you are on your hands and knees and looking at it from a few inches away.
08-30-15, 12:23 PM
#65
Lexus Fanatic
The reason its plastic is because they car comes in different configurations, hybrid and gas and having a plastic piece there that you can swap out for each configuration saves money, they don't have to design two different bumper covers, just two different diffusers.
They can also make a change to that diffuser, as they have on the 2016, and update the look again without redesigning the actual bumper cover.
FYI, on my 2003 and 2010 ES the cover was all one painted piece, there was no lower separate diffuser...but there were no different configurations that required a change (i.e. the hybrid has no visible tailpipes and the 350 does). No paint chips on the lower part of the bumpers on either of those vehicles, thats not the reason.
They can also make a change to that diffuser, as they have on the 2016, and update the look again without redesigning the actual bumper cover.
FYI, on my 2003 and 2010 ES the cover was all one painted piece, there was no lower separate diffuser...but there were no different configurations that required a change (i.e. the hybrid has no visible tailpipes and the 350 does). No paint chips on the lower part of the bumpers on either of those vehicles, thats not the reason.
08-30-15, 12:37 PM
#67
Lexus Fanatic
08-30-15, 01:49 PM
#68
The reason its plastic is because they car comes in different configurations, hybrid and gas and having a plastic piece there that you can swap out for each configuration saves money, they don't have to design two different bumper covers, just two different diffusers.
They can also make a change to that diffuser, as they have on the 2016, and update the look again without redesigning the actual bumper cover.
FYI, on my 2003 and 2010 ES the cover was all one painted piece, there was no lower separate diffuser...but there were no different configurations that required a change (i.e. the hybrid has no visible tailpipes and the 350 does). No paint chips on the lower part of the bumpers on either of those vehicles, thats not the reason.
They can also make a change to that diffuser, as they have on the 2016, and update the look again without redesigning the actual bumper cover.
FYI, on my 2003 and 2010 ES the cover was all one painted piece, there was no lower separate diffuser...but there were no different configurations that required a change (i.e. the hybrid has no visible tailpipes and the 350 does). No paint chips on the lower part of the bumpers on either of those vehicles, thats not the reason.
08-30-15, 08:49 PM
#70
Lexus Champion
The reason its plastic is because they car comes in different configurations, hybrid and gas and having a plastic piece there that you can swap out for each configuration saves money, they don't have to design two different bumper covers, just two different diffusers.
They can also make a change to that diffuser, as they have on the 2016, and update the look again without redesigning the actual bumper cover.
FYI, on my 2003 and 2010 ES the cover was all one painted piece, there was no lower separate diffuser...but there were no different configurations that required a change (i.e. the hybrid has no visible tailpipes and the 350 does). No paint chips on the lower part of the bumpers on either of those vehicles, thats not the reason.
They can also make a change to that diffuser, as they have on the 2016, and update the look again without redesigning the actual bumper cover.
FYI, on my 2003 and 2010 ES the cover was all one painted piece, there was no lower separate diffuser...but there were no different configurations that required a change (i.e. the hybrid has no visible tailpipes and the 350 does). No paint chips on the lower part of the bumpers on either of those vehicles, thats not the reason.
08-31-15, 05:17 AM
#72
Now that looks really nice and is exactly what I had in mind. I was really concerned about overspray and wondered whether they removed and reinstalled the piece after painting. Was considering purchasing that piece, painting it, and then replacing the black one. How long did they keep your car? I plan to visit my local body shop today and get more info. Thanks a million. Will post pics afterwards if I decide to get it done.
08-31-15, 05:43 AM
#74
Now that looks really nice and is exactly what I had in mind. I was really concerned about overspray and wondered whether they removed and reinstalled the piece after painting. Was considering purchasing that piece, painting it, and then replacing the black one. How long did they keep your car? I plan to visit my local body shop today and get more info. Thanks a million. Will post pics afterwards if I decide to get it done.
I honestly wouldnt even purchase a replacement, I would just paint it myself if I could take it off the bumper. If it has to stay on the bumper I think Id have a pro handle it.
Its not that I cant mask off correctly, but a pro would be able to give a nice smooth factory-type finish on the first try....with spray cans Im not sure I could without a lot of working/sanding/recoating, etc
08-31-15, 06:28 AM
#75
Lexus Fanatic
This isn't something you want to paint yourself. Its actually a fairly complex part to paint. Its textured plastic that isn't designed to be painted, so that texture has to be sanded down and smoothed out and the paint has to adhere.
Its a close to $50,000 car, if you're going to do a mod like this, do it right. Spray cans belong on Civics.
The part does come off I'm sure, its just connected behind the cover.
Its a close to $50,000 car, if you're going to do a mod like this, do it right. Spray cans belong on Civics.
The part does come off I'm sure, its just connected behind the cover.