C5 Question
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 43
Likes: 48
From: Lebanon TN
I like both looks. Mine have them and it saved me some big $$$ to repair the door when a person parked next to the passenger side where I was parked. Happened to be a windy day and when this young lady got out the wind caught the her door and slammed it into the Vette I was setting in the driver's seat. She momentarily look at it and started walking away. I got out and I spoke to her. 
She was a little startled. After looking at the area where the door hit, it just made a tiny scratch on the molding. Noting that a small dab of touch up paint will do the job. I am certain the force of the door hitting the Vette's side door would have required a major fix. The molding is designed to absorb these types of hits without requiring a major repair. Mine will stay on. 
She was a little startled. After looking at the area where the door hit, it just made a tiny scratch on the molding. Noting that a small dab of touch up paint will do the job. I am certain the force of the door hitting the Vette's side door would have required a major fix. The molding is designed to absorb these types of hits without requiring a major repair. Mine will stay on. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,522
Likes: 108
I chit ye not ...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 379
From: NSL UT
I made the mistake of making this comment years ago and was told that i was WRONG. If you look at where they are located they will not stop other's door from damaging your's. They are there to provide additional down force at speed, i was told they provide 7 lbs. each for a total of 14 lbs in the test wind tunnel at top speed. I laughed at him and others chimed in and said he was correct, I think he also provided a link to it's design, but this was like 7 years ago ?
I chit ye not ...
I chit ye not ...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Its ok...you asked a legitimate question...I was really joking...in the past 15 years here I have seen similar things asked about BSMs and it usually starts a feud worse than the civil war...lol...
It is the most talked about topic I have ever seen other than what kind of oil or wax to use...its all good....welcome to the forum sir...
It is the most talked about topic I have ever seen other than what kind of oil or wax to use...its all good....welcome to the forum sir...
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 15
From: Galesburg MI
I have them on my Z. I would like to remove but I am nervous about ghost lines. I had to replace the trunk badge and the paint under was noticeably darker. I think it may be difficult with Millenium Yellow as it seems to be more prone to fading than most colors.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 220
Likes: 62
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
My 03Z (mil yellow) is faded under the BSM, I took the small fender piece off to confirm...do not even bother to try yours...I am sure it is faded as you suggested the trunk was...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Folks that never leave the garage hate the BSM and usually lower their car to "improve looks". Folks that drive their vehicles understand the practical purpose of that option. That is why so many C5's have BSM installed.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Never leave the garage? Both my 98 and 99 have 100,000 miles on them and do not have BSMs (and both are lowered). My 02 does have BSM and only has about 36,000 miles (also lowered).
As stated earlier in this thread, about 60% of C5s produced had BSMs and allot of them have been removed. So maybe 50% have them now????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
So that indicates more than half the folks that ordered C5 Corvettes planned to drive them and park in public places. They wanted to avoid door dings and parking lot damage which is why this option was offered. OK a few have removed BSM and a few have added it as a dealer installed option. Sitting in your garage or at a car show you don't need BSM and it serves no purpose. Garage queens, show cars and track cars don't need it. There are exceptions to everything. Enjoy your C5! 
Not sure what you are saying.
Never leave the garage? Both my 98 and 99 have 100,000 miles on them and do not have BSMs (and both are lowered). My 02 does have BSM and only has about 36,000 miles (also lowered).
As stated earlier in this thread, about 60% of C5s produced had BSMs and allot of them have been removed. So maybe 50% have them now????
Never leave the garage? Both my 98 and 99 have 100,000 miles on them and do not have BSMs (and both are lowered). My 02 does have BSM and only has about 36,000 miles (also lowered).
As stated earlier in this thread, about 60% of C5s produced had BSMs and allot of them have been removed. So maybe 50% have them now????
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 151
In the couple of years I shopped for my C5, bsm was important in my decision to purchase a car.
I passed on quite a few simply because they didn't have the bsm.
I think it looks great, and gives the car a feeling of motion even though it is parked.
Again, personal choice, but in my case even if I liked a particular car, when shopping for one, if it had no bsm, that would have been a deal breaker.
It wasn't a case of door protection, I just liked the look with the bsm.
Bob.
I passed on quite a few simply because they didn't have the bsm.
I think it looks great, and gives the car a feeling of motion even though it is parked.
Again, personal choice, but in my case even if I liked a particular car, when shopping for one, if it had no bsm, that would have been a deal breaker.
It wasn't a case of door protection, I just liked the look with the bsm.
Bob.
Last edited by calguy; Apr 19, 2018 at 10:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
It's obvious that many here who have them like how the car looks with them and the ones without, prefer the look without. Yes, people who lower there car mostly do it for looks. Mine is lowered and has no BSMs because I like how it looks, that doesn't make me a less practical corvette owner (the supercharger probably does though
)Without exception people buy these cars, in part, for there looks, not because they are practical. Even the highest "stock" C5 has to be careful where and how you drive it.
Btw.....the C5 doors do not ding very easily. The plastic is very forgiving, unlike metal doors.
Last edited by Forcedvert; Apr 19, 2018 at 11:09 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 142
Likes: 14
From: NC
When I see C5s with side moldings I think of my dads crappy mid 90s Pontiac. I don't like them on a C5. I don't hate them. I just prefer them not to be there. If my car came with them I would probably keep them on because I don't not like them enough to take them off. It's not as big of a deal as some people make it out to be.
I also daily drive my C5. It's lowered. Has no BSM. And I don't have a garage. I don't know where that idea comes from.
I also daily drive my C5. It's lowered. Has no BSM. And I don't have a garage. I don't know where that idea comes from.
Last edited by NCVette1; Apr 20, 2018 at 01:55 AM.
That's why I removed mine