A splash guard question for my first Corvette - Z51 Blade Silver.
After PPF installation, the follow up inspection showed the rocker panels and sections below the sidepod/inlet had some visible rock impacts and more that could be felt (after 2.3k miles).
The PPF installer suggested the splash guard-type accessory to help prevent the rock impacts in this area.
The GM splash guards look good and they're less expensive compared to others but they also look a bit narrow and some opinions I've read say they offer 'little protection' on their own but others say they won't leave the dealership without them.
Then I found a guard like this:

https://www.ebay.com/i/324409950343?...6c1c8cb831156f

Way more expensive but looks wider and maybe offers more protection.
Cost is important but so is protection; I don't favor adding rocker "extensions" over the PPF if I don't have to. Replacing that PPF section would be costly (one piece) so I'm looking for the best solution using splash guards at this point. I plan to *drive it* for a long time so a long term solution is good.
Any thoughts between the two styles, or other opinions on panel protection, experiences?
Thanks

 

GM parts are about $60 a set, get the car done for $120

 

We put ACS composite on owers, they are the GM splash guards that are painted carbon flash so they are the regular size ones and they work very well, we actually live on a gravel lane and I don’t have any rock chips at all so far. They were a lot better than I thought they would be

 

FWIW, I have the wider GM guards on my car along with aftermarket wheels that move the tires out flush with the body. The GM guards still do well at offering protection.
I do apologize for getting that wrong. Extreme Online had them listed on Ebay a few weeks back for $159 a set. Reading their "Fine Print" that set ony includes "One Side". My bad. The ones they are selling are not GM items as they have a different shape, appear smooth and are painted Carbon Flash. I include a few pics of the GM extened splash guards for clarification...

Front...

Rear....

Rear/Up Close...

Front/Up Close....you can see the texture. The were designed to match the GM Z51 splitter and/or the black rocker extensions.

 

The more expensive ones that you provided a link to are actually the GM accessories but painted carbon flash. He is simply charging that much more for the painting. They will not provide any more protection than the GM Accessory ones.

 

I don't believe that to be the case - the ones on ebay look like they're extended more than the 'extended' GM guards. Look at the pictures closely - they extend more to the side than the optional GM ones. I'm curious as to who the manufacturer is. I'd rather wait for ACS composite to come out with their own, non carbon flash version.

Also, the guy charging $310 for them includes front and rear guards. For $160 it's only the front.

 

BTW, The company selling the widest, non GM ones is Extreme Online Store. They are a vendor in the C6 section. The sellers on Ebay are selling their stuff.

 

In our area Splash Guards don't work for the front tires. Too many pebbles on the shoulders on our rural roods that get dragged on the pavement and thrown past the splash guards. The solution I have used on my 2014 C7 Z51, 2017 Grand Sport and my C8 is side skirts.

SIDEBAR
Installed GM Splash Guards on my early 2014 Z51. Within a few weeks could see the marks on the GM "protective plastic" they installed on all C7's on the rocker panels from the middle of the door up 1 foot in front of the rear wheel well. The plastic was marked! Looked bad and knew it was just a question of time before some hit higher. Installed full length side skirts and the marking stopped. After a few months I removed the GM plastic protection and when I sold the car 3 1/2 years later not a mark!

Ordered my 2017 Grand Sport and felt the plastic 3/4 side skirts that were standard on it and the Z06 would not be enough. They did not go back far enough. Ordered the GM carbon fiber Stage 2 Aero option that included full length side skirts. When I sold it there were zero marks including on the lower air duct openings folks reported marking- NOT my GS.

So ordered the $4850 5VM side skirt and splitter option for my C8. It became constrained. As soon as C7 Carbon (a Forum Vender) offered and early preproduction deal ordered them before my C8 arrived. They did not ship for 2 months after I got my C8. I had ordered GM splash guards months before and installed day one. The rears are effective, but like on my two C7s but the fronts of help little. In two months there were marks and the lower rocker panels and they got very dirty quickly. Fortunately the C7 Carbon side skirts cover the marked area (they are equivalent to the OEM 5VM but an easier install- no drilling a 3/8 inch hole in the fender the OEM requires) just for rivets on the bottom.

On all 3, the two C7s and my C8 you can hear the pebbles hit the bottom of the side skirts (they are 3 inches wide on the C8) but no pebbles get around them. Any marks are on the bottom where "only ants can see them!"

If interested this is a 28 Pic/detailed captions PDF of my install: Side_Skirts.pdf (netwelding.com) (Too many pics and info to post)
C7 Carbon current price is <$1600 for painted carbon flash and <$1800 for visible carbon fiber on the top layer of their fiberglass product. I had their visible carbon fiber splitter on my 2014 C7 and it matched my visible carbon fiber roof.

 

Here’s a pic of the ones that come on the car from BGA (Left), and the GM Accesories wider version (right). I feel the GM Accessories version strike a good balance between being wide enough to offer additional protection, but no so wide they look out of place.

 

These are the GM Guards I got from RPI Designs, to be put on my C-8 next month ( built on 12/22) Painted TR to match the car color. As BIG Dave said, a little wider then the stock ones.

 

Thanks, All.
I appreciate all the responses.

BIG Dave - could you share the link of that GM Accessories wider version?

 

Here is the install of the Torch Red GM Splash Guards, got them from 2020 C8 Corvette Painted Splash Guards 4pc - RPIDesigns.com.