My new '07 Barcelona Red TCH did not come with body side moldings on any of the doors. As I am parking fairly close to my other vehicle in my garage I will be installing the moldings to prevent dings.

Has anyone received their TCH with moldings already on the doors.

Dealer said moldings would cost $350 installed.

 

I thought about ordering - they are less than $110 on line and I'm sure they would not be that difficult if you are a DIY.

 

I considered it, but rejected side moldings pretty quick. It ruins the modern look of the car and its lines and makes it look like something from the nineties based on pictures I saw. I may regret this decision if I get a bunch of dents from idiots in parking lots, but I guess I'll take my chances.

 

I did a search, and on the following msg board, some people think
the BSM is ugly, others don't.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t144563.html

I bought mine at my local dealer, and will be installing
the molding as soon as I can find a bottle of
3M Prep Solvent-70 which is recommended in
the BSM instructions. Anyone know where I can
buy some?

 

Conicelli Toyota has the body side moldings for about $110 with shipping.

 

I had the side moldings and install included, but they did not get them in until after I had the car for a few days so I had some time to gaze upon my unmolded TCH. The car looked a bit better without the moldings, and I knew this before I got them but I went ahead anyway because my Sienna has pretty much the same style side molding and it taught me 2 things.

1) They are not perfect at preventing dings, but unless you park your car diagonally thru 4 spaces, sooner or later they will pay for themselves. My 3 yr old Sienna still has no door dings and while I'm mindful to try to park in spots with decent room, I don't go out of my way.

2) After the first 6 to 12 months (depending on how long you keep up the new car wash and wax regiment and stand back to admire) you'll forget all about the slight change in appearance (unless of course you have a mighty ding right where the molding would have gone).

 

Check at a local bodyshop supply (paint, etc).

 

My dealer told me that they would install them for me at no cost when I bring the car in for the first complementary service at 5k miles. I told the service manager that I had already bought the moldings but wasnt sure how to install them correctly and he said no problem just bring them with me when I come for my service and he would have a tech stick them on. I ordered them from toyotapart for $101.25 earlier this week, they should come in well before I get to the 5k mile mark.

 

Do the moldings go on the TCH with just 3M tape or are holes needed?

 

No holes are needed.